Abstract: The present invention relates to modified nucleic acid sequences coding for coagulation factors, in particular human Factor VIII and their derivatives with improved stability, recombinant expression vectors containing such nucleic acid sequences, host cells transformed with such recombinant expression vectors, recombinant polypeptides and derivatives which do have biological activities of the unmodified wild type protein but having improved stability and processes for the manufacture of such recombinant proteins and their derivatives. The invention also covers a transfer vector for use in human gene therapy, which comprises modified DNA sequences.

Abstract: Factor VIII polypeptides having FVIII:C activity that contain modifications in the A3 and/or C1 and/or C2 domains of the sequence of the light chain of Factor VIII, characterized by the binding affinity to low density lipoprotein receptor protein, and methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified Factor VIII molecules with reduced N-linked glycosylation and reduced immunogenicity. The invention also relates to methods of using modified Factor VIII molecules, for example, to treat patients afflicted with hemophilia.

Abstract: A method of preparing an oxidised polysaccharide-protein conjugate by oxidising a polysaccharide with an oxidising agent to form an oxidised polysaccharide and combining such oxidized polysaccharide with a protein. The oxidised polysaccharide is reacted with a protein to form a composition comprising a conjugate wherein the oxidised polysaccharide and the protein are conjugated via one or more imine bonds and wherein the oxidised polysaccharide comprises essentially no alpha-hydroxy aldehyde units. The conjugate may be used to provide sustained or latent activity of the protein.

Abstract: La present invention pertains to a composition of plasma-derived virally-safe factor VIII, obtained after nanometric filtration, said composition comprising von Willebrand factor (vWF) at a rate of 15% or less of decamers and higher multimers. Such compositions have a reduction factor of the virus titre higher than 4 log and are thus suitable for treatment of hemophilia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of introducing one or more cysteine residues into a polypeptide which permit the stabilization of the polypeptide by formation of at least one bond, preferably a disulfide bond, between different domains of the polypeptide. The invention also relates to polypeptides containing such introduced cysteine residue(s), nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such polypeptides or nucleic acids. The invention also relates to vectors, viral particles and host cells containing such nucleic acids, and methods of using them to produce the polypeptides of the invention. Exemplified polypeptides include plasma proteins, including hepatocyte growth factor activator and plasma hyaluronin binding protein, as well as blood coagulation factors, such as Factor VIII, Factor V, Factor XII and prothrombin.

Abstract: A method for separating off viruses from a protein solution by nanofiltration, comprising adding to the protein solution at least one ingredient chosen from chaotropic substances chosen from arginine, guanidine, citrulline, urea and derivatives thereof and salts thereof, and compounds chosen from polyethoxysorbitan esters and derivatives thereof, prior to the nanofiltration, in order to decrease or prevent aggregation of the protein molecules, and then filtering the solution through a filter having a pore size ranging from 15 nm to less than 35 nm.

Abstract: Targeted coagulation factors comprising a coagulation factor linked with at least one domain that specifically binds to a membrane protein on a blood cell is provided. The disclosed targeted coagulation factors increase the efficiency of coagulation factors and prolong their duration of action and thus, are an improvement for the treatment of hematological diseases such as hemophilia A.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lower eukaryotic host cell producing human-like glycoproteins characterized as having a terminal ?-galactose residue and essentially lacking fucose and sialic acid residues. The present invention also provides a method for catalyzing the transfer of a galactose residue from UDP-galactose onto an acceptor substrate in a recombinant lower eukaryotic host cell, which can be used as a therapeutic glycoprotein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a very high purity von Willebrand factor concentrate from a biological fraction containing von Willebrand factor, including a separation by anion exchange chromatography using a vinyl polymer support of weak base type, the separation comprising the steps of loading of the chromatographic support with the fraction containing von Willebrand factor, previously equilibrated with a suitable buffer, with a predetermined flowrate allowing the retention of the von Willebrand factor, washing of the support with an acidic buffer with a flowrate higher than the flowrate of the step a) until the not-retained proteins and the contaminants are removed, flushing and equilibrating of the chromatographic support with the buffer and using the flowrate of the step a), and elution of the von Willebrand factor by increasing of the ionic strength of the step c).

Abstract: A non-human transgenic mammalian animal, as described above, contains an exogenous double stranded DNA sequence stably integrated into the genome of the animal, which comprises cis-acting regulatory units operably linked to a DNA sequence encoding human FIX protein without the benefit of the presence of a complete milk gene sequence for gene rescue, and a signal sequence is active in directing newly expressed Factor IX into the milk of the animal at levels in an unactivated form that is suitable for subsequent processing for therapeutic applications in treating Hemophilia B. The transgenic mammals are preferably pigs, cows, sheep, goats and rabbits. The applications include milk derivatives for oral delivery and oral tolerization in the treatment of Hemophilia B.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a proteinaceous construct (also designated as polymer-VWF-conjugate) comprising plasmatic and/or recombinant von Willebrand factor (VWF), said VWF being bound to at least one physiologically acceptable polymer molecule, as well as to a complex between said proteinaceous construct and at least one factor VIII (FVIII) protein. The physiologically acceptable polymer molecule can be, for instance, polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysialic acid (PSA). Further the present invention relates to methods for prolonging the in vivo-half-life of VWF or FVIII in the blood of a mammal having a bleeding disorder associated with functional defects of or deficiencies of at least one of FVIII or VWF.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials and methods of conjugating a water soluble polymer to an oxidized carbohydrate moiety of a blood coagulation protein comprising contacting the oxidized carbohydrate moiety with an activated water soluble polymer under conditions that allow conjugation. More specifically, the present invention relates to the aforementioned materials and methods wherein the water soluble polymer contains an active aminooxy group and wherein an oxime linkage is formed between the oxidized carbohydrate moiety and the active aminooxy group on the water soluble polymer. In one embodiment of the invention the conjugation is carried out in the presence of the nucleophilic catalyst aniline. In addition the generated oxime linkage can be stabilized by reduction with NaCNBH3 to form an alkoxyamine linkage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a simple method for the treatment of antigen-deficiency diseases, by orally administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of the deficient antigen, wherein the antigen is not present in a liposome. In one embodiment, the method increases hemostasis in a subject having hemophilia A or B, by orally administering to the hemophiliac a therapeutically effective amount of the appropriate clotting factor other than in a liposome, sufficient to induce oral tolerance and supply exogenous clotting factor to the subject.

Abstract: Conjugates of a Factor VIII moiety and one or more water-soluble polymers are provided. Typically, the water-soluble polymer is poly(ethylene glycol) or a derivative thereof. Also provided are compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of making the conjugates, and methods of administering compositions comprising the conjugates to a patient.

Abstract: Conjugates of a Factor VIII moiety and one or more water-soluble polymers are provided. Typically, the water-soluble polymer is poly(ethylene glycol) or a derivative thereof. Also provided are compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of making the conjugates, and methods of administering compositions comprising the conjugates to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant factor VIII having a specific activity that is higher than that of the corresponding wild-type factor VIII. The present invention also relates to methods of making and using the recombinant factor VIII. The present invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes the recombinant factor VIII, as well as DNA expression systems and host cells containing the isolated nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for filtering a protein in a liquid mixture in a manner that does not substantially damage or otherwise limit the recovery of the protein in the filtration filtrate. The method generally includes passing a liquid mixture containing a protein (e.g., an aqueous vWF mixture) through a filter while applying a counter pressure to the liquid mixture filtrate to accurately reduce and control the pressure differential across the filter. The disclosed method has the advantage that relatively high filtration flow rates can be achieved at relatively low pressure differentials, in contrast to high pressure differentials, which actually reduce the filtration flow rate of protein liquid mixtures. Further, the method can recover substantially all of the protein that is initially present in the liquid mixture.

Abstract: Polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding same comprising at least one carboxy-terminal peptide (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to a carboxy terminus of a coagulation factor and not to an amino terminus are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using same are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved human FVIII variants having at least one substitution in the A2 and/or C2 domain. The present invention also relates to their uses in the treatment of hemophilia A, particularly in patients with inhibitors.

Abstract: The purification method includes, starting from a solution selected from (i) a solution containing a mixture of FVIII and FvW, (ii) a solution containing FvW, (iii) a solution derived from a secretion of a non-human animal and (iv) a solution derived from a FVIII-containing plant extract, a step of absorption of FVIII or FvW on an ion-exchange chromatography filter-type membrane.

Abstract: Methods are provided for purification of Factor VIII polypeptides by affinity chromatography and ion exchange chromatography, in which the eluate from the affinity column is diluted with a solution comprising higher salt concentration, or lower non-polar agent concentration than that of the elution solution, prior to passing the diluted solution through the ion exchange column. The affinity matrix may comprise a monoclonal antibody or a peptide ligand. The methods result in improved purification without significant yield loss.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel use of an immunoglobulin Fc fragment, and more particularly, a pharmaceutical composition comprising an immunoglobulin Fc fragment as a carrier. The pharmaceutical composition comprising an immunoglobulin Fc fragment as a carrier remarkably extends the serum half-life of a drug while maintaining the in vivo activity of the drug at relatively high levels. Also, when the drug is a polypeptide drug, the pharmaceutical composition has less risk of inducing immune responses compared to a fusion protein of the immunoglobulin Fc fragment and a target protein, and is thus useful for developing long-acting formulations of various polypeptide drugs.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to Factor VIII.

Abstract: A method for preparing a stable dried composition of blood factor product containing a stabilizing amount of trehalose in the absence of a stabilizing amount of albumin is disclosed.

Abstract: Process for purifying a recombinant protein including one or a few procedural steps only. The process combines the step of lysis of the host cell, with the purification of the protein of interest, allowing for a rapid and much more efficient process of purification. The conditions used during the purification process are those of a high temperature and a low pH, allowing for thermostable and acid-resistant recombinant proteins to be isolated from a suspension. The invention also relates to purifying recombinant proteins which are fusion proteins, wherein one part of the protein may be selected from an enamel matrix protein, such as amelogenin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stable solid pharmaceutical composition comprising factor VIII. Such a composition is devoid of amino acids and comprises: (a) factor VIII; (b) a surfactant; (c) calcium chloride; (d) sucrose; (e) sodium chloride; (f) trisodium citrate; and (g) a buffer devoid of amino acids; and has a pH from 6 to 8 prior to lyophilization and after reconstitution in water for injection. The invention also relates to the liquid pharmaceutical composition obtainable after dilution of said stable solid pharmaceutical composition with sterile water optionally containing sodium chloride.

Abstract: A process for isolation and purification of a target protein by chromatography wherein the chromatography removes or depletes prions (PrPSC), comprising the steps of contacting a potentially PrPSC contaminated sample comprising a target protein with a multimodal chromatographic material; setting buffer conditions so that the target protein is bound to the multimodal chromatographic material and whereas PrPSC is not binding to the multimodal chromatographic material; followed by elution of the target protein. a process for isolation and purification of a target protein free of prion protein (prpSC).

Abstract: A method for purifying a recombinant protein using a multimodal or mixed mode resin containing ligands which comprise a hydrophobic part and a negatively charged part is described. The invention is advantageous in that it is a single step chromatographic process which does not require adjustment of pH or conductivity during loading step and results in high yield and potency. The process is used for the purification of recombinant compositions of coagulation factor, particularly recombinant Factor VIII.

Abstract: Method for increasing half-life of therapeutic agents in plasma and novel polypeptide derivatives.

Abstract: The invention is a proteinaceous construct comprising a Factor VIII molecule having at least a portion of the B domain intact, which is conjugated to a water-soluble polymer such as polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of greater than 10,000 Daltons. The construct has a biological activity of at least 80% of the biological activity of native Factor VIII, and the in vivo half-life of the construct is increased by at least 1.5 fold as compared to the in vivo half-life of native factor FVIII.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric reagents and conjugates thereof, methods for synthesizing the polymeric reagents and conjugates, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the conjugates and methods of using the polymer conjugates including therapeutic methods where conjugates are administered to patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates techniques for identifying suitable secretion fusion partner (SFP) for hyper-secretory production of recombinant proteins. The SFPs can be obtained from secretome analyses. Recombinant proteins are produced in a fusion form with a secretion fusion partner (SFP) and can be separated from the SFP by in vitro protease treatment. SFPs of this invention greatly improve the secretion level of target proteins and peptides which are valuable for bio-pharmaceuticals and the bio-industry.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the recovery yield of proteins, especially plasma proteins, from sources containing the proteins, wherein the sources containing the proteins are frozen at temperatures of ??70° C., and the proteins from a frozen source after thawing are further processed in a per se known manner.

Abstract: Conjugates of a Factor IX moiety and one or more water-soluble polymers are provided. Typically, the water-soluble polymer is poly(ethylene glycol) or a derivative thereof. Also provided (among other things) are compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of making the conjugates, and methods of administering to a patient compositions comprising the conjugates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences coding for modified coagulation factors, preferably coagulation factor VIII, and their derivatives; recombinant expression vectors containing such nucleic acid sequences; host cells transformed with such recombinant expression vectors; and recombinant polypeptides and derivatives coded for by said nucleic acid sequences, whereby said recombinant polypeptides and derivatives have biological activities and prolonged in vivo half-lives compared to the unmodified wild-type proteins. The invention also relates to corresponding sequences that result in improved in vitro stability. The present invention further relates to processes for the manufacture of such recombinant proteins and their derivatives. The invention also relates to a transfer vector for use in human gene therapy, which comprises such nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: Conjugates of a Factor VIII moiety and one or more water-soluble polymers are provided. Typically, the water-soluble polymer is poly(ethylene glycol) or a derivative thereof. Also provided are compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of making the conjugates, and methods of administering compositions comprising the conjugates to a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stabilizing a bulk solution of recombinant protein for frozen storage, which comprises providing a partially-purified solution of recombinant protein which has a monovalent salt concentration of at least 100 mM, and adding a carbohydrate to said solution in an amount sufficient that, upon freezing, the solution has a glass transition temperature of ?56° C. or higher.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for complexing a protein in a dispersed medium. Also disclosed are associated proteins produced by the methods of complexing of the present invention. Pharmaceutically effective stabilized protein dosages are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a method for associating AHF protein in a dispersed medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the composition of small molecules and their use in the field of protein isolation, purification, stabilizing and/or enhancing its activity. In particular, the present invention relates to the synthesis and optimization of compounds comprising small peptides and peptide derivatives with affinity to coagulation Factor VIII and/or Factor VIII-like polypeptides and/or domains thereof. These compounds are useful for labeling, detecting, identifying, isolating and preferably for purifying, stabilizing and enhancing the activity of Factor VIII, Factor VIII-like polypeptides or domains thereof from physiological and non-physiological solutions comprising same. Further, these compounds may be used as ligands, which bind Factor VIII, Factor VIII-like polypeptides or domains thereof in methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a proteinaceous construct comprising a blood coagulation factor, e.g., Factor VIII (FVIII), being bound to at least one water soluble polymer, including a poly(alkylene oxide) such as polyethylene glycol (PEG). Further the present invention relates to methods of preparing PEGylated blood coagulation factor, e.g., FVIII, in the presence of bound antibodies. The invention also relates to methods for prolonging the in vivo-half-life of blood coagulation factor, e.g., FVIII, in the blood of a mammal having a bleeding disorder associated with functional defects or deficiencies of blood coagulation factor, e.g., FVIII.

Abstract: This invention relates to Factor VIII muteins that are covalently bound, at a predefined site that is not an N-terminal amine, to one or more biocompatible polymers such as polyethylene glycol. The mutein conjugates retain FVIII procoagulant activity and have improved pharmacokinetic properties.

Abstract: The invention is a proteinaceous construct comprising a Factor VIII molecule having at least a portion of the B domain intact, which is conjugated to a water-soluble polymer such as polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of greater than 10,000 Daltons. The construct has a biological activity of at least 80% of the biological activity of native Factor VIII, and the in vivo half-life of the construct is increased by at least 1.5 fold as compared to the in vivo half-life of native factor FVIII.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric derivatives, which can be conjugated to an amino-containing drug to improve its in vivo properties. The polymeric derivative can subsequently be released to yield the drug in its native form. Methods of preparing and using these polymeric derivatives and drug conjugates are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of a von Willebrand factor preparation having a high specific activity, hydroxylapatite being used as a chromatography medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compounds, methods for selective chemical conjugation of protractor molecules and the use thereof for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: An aqueous composition having increased protein stability is obtained by: a. determining a pH at which the protein has stability at the desired temperature; b. adding to the composition at least one displacement buffer wherein the displacement buffer has a pKa that is at least 1 unit greater or less than the pH of step (a); and c. adjusting the pH of the composition to the pH of step (a); wherein the aqueous composition does not comprise a conventional buffer at a concentration greater than about 2 mM and wherein the conventional buffer has a pKa that is within 1 unit of the pH of step (a).

Abstract: The invention is a proteinaceous construct comprising a Factor VIII molecule which is conjugated to a water-soluble polymer via carbohydrate moieties of Factor VIII, and methods of preparing same.

Abstract: This invention relates to Factor VIII muteins that are covalently bound, at one or more predefined sites that are not an N-terminal amine, to one or more biocompatible polymers such as polyethylene glycol. The mutein conjugates retain FVIII procoagulant activity, are capable of correcting human factor VIII deficiencies and have improved pharmacokinetic properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a concentrate and a process for producing a factor VIII:C-containing von Willebrand factor by fractional precipitation from a liquid comprising factor VIII:C and von Willebrand factor, resulting in an increased content of high molecular weight multimers of von Willebrand factor and a ratio of the vWF:RCoF activity to vWF:Ag of greater than 1.