Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical aerosols comprising a ?-hairpin peptidomimetic of formula cyclo(-OctG-Glu-Thr-Ala-Ser-Ile-Pro-Pro-Gln-Lys-Tyr-DPro-Pro-), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having inhibitory activity against human neutrophil elastase. It further relates to solid or liquid pharmaceutical compositions and kits for preparing and administering such aerosols. The invention can be used for the prevention, management or treatment of pulmonary diseases, such as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), cystic fibrosis (CF), non-cystic fibrosis bronchiactasis (NCFB), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or infections, or diseases, or conditions of the lungs, being mediated by or resulting from human neutrophil elastase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical aerosols comprising a ?-hairpin peptidomimetic of formula cyclo(-OctG-Glu-Thr-Ala-Ser-Ile-Pro-Pro-Gln-Lys-Tyr-DPro-Pro-), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having inhibitory activity against human neutrophil elastase. It further relates to solid or liquid pharmaceutical compositions and kits for preparing and administering such aerosols. The invention can be used for the prevention, management or treatment of pulmonary diseases, such as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), cystic fibrosis (CF), non-cystic fibrosis bronchiactasis (NCFB), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or infections, or diseases, or conditions of the lungs, being mediated by or resulting from human neutrophil elastase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of dipeptidyl ketoamide compounds for preventing accumulation of triglycerides in adipose tissue or for reducing the amount of triglycerides in adipose tissue in a subject in need thereof and to novel dipeptidyl ketoamide compounds.

Abstract: Anti-inflammatory proteins/peptides are described, as well as their uses, methods of preparation, and methods of their detection. Specifically described are major royal jelly proteins modified by methylglyoxal and fragments thereof from a Leptospermum derived honey and royal jelly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-functional protease inhibitor, which may be conjugated to various molecules. The present invention also relates to uses of the protease inhibitor and conjugates thereof.

Abstract: Synthesis and characterization of starch based pH-responsive nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery are described. Polymethacrylic acid grafted starch (PMAA-g-St) nanoparticles with various molar ratio of starch to MAA were synthesized by a new one-pot method that enabled simultaneous grafting of PMAA and nanoparticle formation in an aqueous medium. NMR data showed that polysorbate 80 was polymerized into the graft polymer. Nanoparticles were relatively spherical with narrow size distribution and porous surface morphology and exhibited pH-dependent swelling in physiological pH range. The particle size and magnitude of volume phase transition were dependent on PMAA content and formulation parameters such as surfactant levels, cross-linker amount, and total monomer concentration. The results showed that the new pH-responsive nanoparticles possessed useful properties for controlled drug delivery.

Abstract: The present invention includes a novel class of highly specific protease inhibitors. In one embodiment, the inhibitors of the invention are ?-helical in structure. In another embodiment, the present invention represents the first demonstration of a highly specific cysteine protease inhibitor.

Abstract: A wound dressing material comprising: a wound dressing carrier, N-acetyl cysteine or a salt or derivative thereof, and a stabilized ascorbate. Suitably, the stabilized ascorbate comprises an ascorbate-2-polyphosphate. Also provided are wound dressing comprising the materials, methods of treatment with the materials, and methods of making the materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, IA, II, HA, III, or IHA and their pharmaceutical uses. Particular aspects of the invention relate to the use of those compounds for the selective inhibition of one or more caspases. Also described are methods where the compounds of Formula I, IA, II, IIA, III, or IIIA are used in the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases and conditions in subjects, including caspase-mediated diseases such as sepsis, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurodegenerative disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-functional protease inhibitor, which may be conjugated to various molecules. The present invention also relates to uses of the protease inhibitor and conjugates thereof.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I wherein R2a and R2b are independently H, halo, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl or C1-C4alkoxy, or R2a and R2b together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C3-C6cycloalkyl; R3 is a C5-C10 alkyl, optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents independently selected from halo, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkoxy; or R3 is a C2-C4alkyl chain with at least 2 chloro or 3 fluoro substituents; or R3 is C3-C7cycloalkylmethyl, optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents independently selected from C1-C4alkyl, halo, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkoxy; R4 is C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C1-C6alkoxy, C1-C6haloalkoxy, C1-C6alkylamino, C1-C6dialkylamino or; R4 is Het or Carbocyclyl, either of which is optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents R4 is Het, carbocyclyl, C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C1-C6alkoxy or C1-C6haloalkoxy; n is 1, 2 or 3; for the use in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disorder characterised by inappropriate expression or activation of ca

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compounds, peptides or peptidomimetics that inhibit, reduce or prevent protease activity and the use of these compounds, peptides or peptidomimetics to treat or prevent a condition. In particular the condition may be periodontal disease. The protease activity may be activity of a gingipain. The compounds, peptides or peptidomimetics of the invention may also be used in assays for the identification of protease inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing the level of amyloid beta protein in a cell or tissue, the methods generally involving contacting the cell or tissue with an agent that reduces cystatin C levels and/or activity. The present invention provides methods for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD), and methods for treating cerebral angiopathy, in an individual, the methods generally involving administering to an individual having AD a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that reduces cystatin C levels and/or activity. The present invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reduces cystatin C levels and/or activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of macrocyclic compounds, which are useful as cysteine protease inhibitors. Also provided are novel intermediates and methods of preparing the compounds. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds. The compounds and compositions are useful in methods of treating or preventing one or more diseases associated with cysteine protease activity, particularly those associated with calpain activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of macrocyclic compounds, which are useful as cysteine protease inhibitors. Also provided are novel intermediates and methods of preparing the compounds. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds. The compounds and compositions are useful in methods of treating or preventing one or more diseases associated with cysteine protease activity, particularly those associated with calpain activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, II, IA-VA, IVA1-IVA5, IIIA1-IIIA5 and their pharmaceutical uses. Particular aspects of the invention relate to the use of those compounds for the selective inhibition of one or more cysteine proteases. Also described are methods where the compounds of Formula I, II, IA-VA, IVA1-IVA5, IIIA1-IIIA5 are used in the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases and conditions in subjects, including cysteine protease-mediated diseases and/or caspase-mediated diseases such as sepsis, myocardial infarction, cancer, tissue atrophy, ischemia, ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), ALS, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease).

Abstract: A method of treating metastatic cancer, comprising the steps of (a) treating a metastatic cancer patient with an isolated therapeutic Cystatin C peptide, and (b) observing a reduction in tumor burden is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel class of peptide ?-ketoamides useful for selectively inhibiting calpains, selectively inhibiting cysteine proteases, and generally inhibiting all cysteine proteases, having the formula M-AA2-AA1-CO—NH—(CH2)n—R3. Processes for the synthesis of peptidyl ?-ketoamide derivatives. Compositions and methods for inhibiting cysteine proteases, inhibiting calpains, and treating disease caused by cysteine proteases and calpains are provided.

Abstract: Inhibitors for preventing, blacking/silencing caspase-2 activity in cell death.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for maintaining an active agent in an intra-articular space are disclosed. Methods of delivering the compositions to an intra-articular space and methods of making the compositions also are disclosed. The compositions comprise an active agent and a polymer comprising at least one cationic group. A fluid including the composition may be injected into an intra-articular space in a human or animal whereby the composition associates with endogenous material in the intra-articular space. In some embodiments, the fluid further comprises a poorly aqueous soluble polymer.

Abstract: The present invention features stabilized/destabilized variant calpastatin proteins and peptides that modulate the stability/activity of calpain for use in analyzing the pathophysiology of diseases associated with calpain activity, facilitating muscle growth and in improving meat tenderization.

Abstract: The invention relates to selective new caspase-2 inhibitors that recognize caspase-2 and prevent and block its activity based on the following backbone: 2-Quinolinylcarbonyl-L-Valinyl-L-Aspartyl (methyl ester)-L-Valinyl-L-Alanyl-L-Aspartyl (methyl ester) 2,6-difluorophenyl ester SEQ ID NO:1) and derivatives thereof, SEQ ID NO:1 corresponding to formulae Ia or Ib. Application of the inhibitors for preventing and treating diseases involving caspase-2.

Abstract: This invention describes an ICE inhibitor prodrug (I) having good bioavailability. Compound I is useful for treating IL-1 mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory peritonitis, septic shock, pancreatitis, traumatic brain injury, organ transplant rejection, osteoarthritis, asthma, psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, Huntington's disease, atherosclerosis, atopic dermatitis, leukemias and related disorders, myelodysplastic syndrome, uveitis or multiple myeloma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for identification of a compound suitable for the prevention, treatment or/and diagnosis of an infection with Chlamydiaceae.

Abstract: Compositions which specifically block cathepsin L function in podocytes, compositions which protect cytoskeletal adaptor protein (CD2AP) for degradation, compositions which modulate expression or function of cytoskeletal adaptor protein (CD2AP), protect against renal diseases or disorders. Methods of treatment in vivo involve use of one or more compositions.

Abstract: Smac mimetics that inhibit IAPs.

Abstract: Calpains target junctional components that normally seal the epithelium, forming tight junctions. This selective targeting by calpains facilitates the transmigration of leukocytes across the epithelium and into tissue spaces where they can cause inflammation. The present disclosure provides methods of using calpain inhibitors to prevent epithelial junction reorganization such that leukocyte transmigration is inhibited and accordingly, inflammation reduced or prevented. These methods can at least be used to reduce respiratory inflammation by preventing leukocyte accumulation in pulmonary airways.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of macrocyclic compounds, which are useful as cysteine protease inhibitors. Also provided are novel intermediates and methods of preparing the compounds. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds. The compounds and compositions are useful in methods of treating or preventing one or more diseases associated with cysteine protease activity, particularly those associated with calpain activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are Cystatin C (CysC) homologues, including CystC homologues that act as antagonists or inhibitors of transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?). Also disclosed are methods to identify CystC homologues that are antagonists or inhibitors of TGF-? and compositions and therapeutic methods using CystC and homologues thereof to regulate the activity of TGF-?, and TGF-?-mediated tumor malignancy and invasion and other TGF-?-mediated fibrotic or proliferative conditions and diseases.