Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising growth hormone linked to extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN), isolated nucleic acids encoding the compositions and vectors and host cells containing the same, and methods of making and using such compositions in administration to animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one aspect, a method for producing Mullerian Inhibitor Substance in a plant comprising incubating or growing a plant into which has been introduced or infiltrated a nucleic acid construct comprising, consisting or consisting essentially of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Mullerian Inhibitor Substance fusion protein that comprises a fusion protein partner that induces the formation of a protein body in a plant, preferably, wherein the step of introducing or infiltrating the plant is performed prior to the incubating or growing step.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fusion protein comprising at least one FGF-21 (fibroblast growth factor-21) compound and at least one GLP-1R (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor) agonist as well as to pharmaceutical compositions, medical uses and methods of treatment involving the fusion protein, particularly in the field of diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity and/or adipositas.

Abstract: The invention relates to the technological sector of the transport and delivery of molecules into cells, either at cytoplasm or at nucleus or inter-cells (cell to cell transport), using peptides binding proteins from the cell microtubule motor complex, preferably dynein-binding peptides, as carrier/delivery peptides; or functionalized structures, as nanoparticles, linked to said carrier/delivery peptides. This delivery can be useful in many technical fields comprising, among some others: diagnosis, therapy and pharmacology.

Abstract: The present application discloses a recombinantly made protein construct that preferentially forms multimers.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating a disorder of a subject's heart involving loss of cardiomyocytes which comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising an amount of a human stromal derived factor-1 and an amount of a human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, the composition being administered in an amount effective to cause proliferation of cardiomyocytes within the subject's heart so as to thereby treat the disorder. This invention also provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a disorder of a tissue involving loss and/or apoptosis of cells of the tissue which comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising an amount of an agent which induces phosphorylation and/or activation of protein kinase B, or an agent which induces phosphorylation and/or activation of an extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, or an agent which induces activation of CXCR4.

Abstract: There are provided a novel series of peptide analogs of hGH-RH(1-29)NH2 and hGH-RH(1-30)NH2 which show high activities in stimulating the release of pituitary GH in animals. They retain their physiological activity in solution for extended periods of time and resist enzymic degradation in the body. These novel and useful properties appear to be due to novel substitution patterns ant at the 1, 15, 27 and 29 positions on the peptide.

Abstract: Methods and compositions described herein relate to processes for the production of deuterated peptides, and the deuterated peptides produced accordingly. Deuterated peptides produced according to methods and compositions described herein may be produced more efficiently than such peptides produced according to prior art processes. The production process of according to methods and compositions described herein may lead to advantages in yield, purity, and/or price for deuterated peptides. Methods of marketing deuterated peptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to modified IGF-II binding domains of the Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 Receptor (IGF2R) which have enhanced binding affinity for IGF-II relative to the wild type IGF-II binding domain. Suitable IGF-II binding domains may be modified, for example, by substituting residue E1544 for a non-acidic residue. These modified domains may be useful in the sequestration of Insulin-like Growth Factor II (IGF-II), for example, in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Increased in vivo and/or in vitro stability is imparted to a biologically active protein by fusing to an amino acid sequence consisting of at least about 100 amino acid residues, which consist essentially of Alanine, Serine and Proline, which form a random coil conformation. Specific examples are described. Also described are related nucleic acids, vectors and cells encoding such amino acids; compositions of biologically active proteins fused to a random coil domain, and methods of making and using the compounds and compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The molecular structures of metal-salen complexes which exerts pharmacological effects are clarified and the metal-salen complexes having such molecular structures and their derivatives are provided. A metal-salen complex compound is characterized in that a metal atom part in each of multiple molecules of the metal-salen complex or its derivative is multimerized via water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that act as agonists of the Wnt signalling pathway, compositions comprising these compounds and the uses of these compounds, both therapeutic and in research. The invention also provides methods of identifying compounds that act as agonists of the Wnt signalling pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polypeptides, methods for their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel polypeptides as well as their use in medicaments for therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying a protein belonging to the TGF-?, superfamily, preferably BMP, and more preferably BMP-2. According to the invention, the number of purification steps is reduced and the purification process is simplified, compared to the conventional BMP-2 purification method. Thus, the time required for purification can be shortened and the cost can be reduced. In addition, the invention solves the problem that as the time for purification increases and the number of purification steps increases, BMP-2 is degraded by protease or lost during purification steps, resulting in a decrease in the final yield of BMP-2. Thus, the invention increases the final yield of BMP-2.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition comprising all or a portion of a beta-tricalcium phosphate (?-TCP) bound to all or a portion of a ?-TCP binding peptide and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrophobic modified peptides for the specific delivery of compounds to the liver, preferably to hepatocytes, in vitro as well as in vivo. The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said hydrophobic modified peptide(s) and the compound(s) to be specifically delivered to the liver. The present invention furthermore relates to the use of the inventive hydrophobic modified peptides as well as to a method for the prevention and/or treatment of liver diseases or disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biologically active single chain relaxin polypeptides comprising a relaxin B chain derived from relaxin-3, the polypeptides being truncated by one or more amino acids at the C-terminus of the relaxin-3 B chain. Typically the single chain relaxin polypeptides are antagonists of the RXFP3 receptor, and in some embodiments are selective antagonists of the RXFP3 receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to human medicine and to the use of epidermal growth factor (EGF) for preparing a pharmaceutical composition which is administered by infiltration into the periphery of nerve ganglia and/or trunks for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful sensory-motor neuropathy as well as manifestations of ischemic neuritis. The invention also includes a composition containing EGF which can be formulated together with anesthetics or analgesics or encapsulated in microspheres and to the use thereof for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful sensitive-motor-type diabetic neuropathy and the manifestations of ischemic neuritis.

Abstract: The invention comprises the use of LGF in the production of medicinal products that can be used in the pleiotropic tissue regeneration of one or more damaged tissues, in which at least one of the damaged tissues forms part of the central nervous system and the medicinal product is intended to be administered systemically. The invention is based on the fact that intraperitoneal administration of LGF can promote a positive effect on a Parkinson's disease model. As such, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the medicinal product is intended for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, particularly when the medicinal product is intended for humans.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding FGF21 mutant fusion polypeptides comprising mutations at positions 98, 171, 179, 180 or 181, FGF21 mutant polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising FGF21 mutant polypeptides, and methods for treating metabolic disorders using such nucleic acids, polypeptides, or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials and methods of conjugating a water soluble polymer to an oxidized carbohydrate moiety of a therapeutic 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 or hydrazone linkage is formed between the oxidized carbohydrate moiety and the active aminooxy group on the water soluble polymer, and wherein the conjugation is carried out in the presence of a nucleophilic catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel nucleic acids encoding a mammalian resistin gene, and proteins encoded thereby, whose expression is suppressed by the antidiabetic compounds thiazolidinediones. The invention further relates to methods of treating and detecting type 2 diabetes and Syndrome X comprising modulating or detecting resistin expression and/or production and activity of resistin polypeptide.

Abstract: A fusion protein comprising domain (a) which is the functional fragment of a hTRAIL protein sequence, which fragment begins with an amino acid at a position not lower than hTRAIL95, or a homolog of said functional fragment having at least 70% sequence identity; and at least one domain (b) which is the sequence of an effector peptide having anti-proliferative activity against tumour cells, wherein the sequence of domain (b) is attached at the C-terminus or at the N-terminus of domain (a). The fusion protein can be used for the treatment of cancer diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides variants of human growth hormone having an amino acid substitution at amino acid residue R77, numbered from the N-terminus of 191-amino add human growth hormone as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding these variants.

Abstract: A method has for selectively acylating an amino group in a peptide or protein which has two or more reactive nucleophilic functional groups is described.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods, systems, compositions and kits for breaking a water-in-oil emulsion including one or more biomolecules dispersed in an aqueous phase of the water-in-oil emulsion. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to obtaining a first emulsion including a continuous hydrophobic fraction and a discontinuous aqueous fraction, the aqueous fraction having one or more biomolecules dispersed therein, breaking the first emulsion by contacting the first emulsion with a breaking solution including a second emulsion, where the second emulsion includes a discontinuous phase of organic extraction solvent dispersed in a continuous aqueous phase, and centrifuging to separate the phases of the resulting mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biologically active relaxin polypeptides comprising a relaxin A chain and a B chain derived from a relaxin superfamily member, wherein the A chain comprises no intra-chain disulphide bonds. In particular embodiments the modified polypeptides comprise relaxin-3 derived A and B chains, and truncations of the A and/or B chains from the N-termini and/or C-termini. In particular embodiments the polypeptides of the invention are selective agonists or antagonists of the RXFP3 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a novel undifferentiated state-control agent that maintains and/or improves an undifferentiated state of undifferentiated cells. CCL2 or a protein containing a functional domain thereof is used as the undifferentiated state-control agent. By culturing undifferentiated cells in the presence of the control agent, it is possible to maintain and/or improve an undifferentiated state of the undifferentiated cells. Examples of the undifferentiated cells include embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). The origin of the cells is not particularly limited, and may be a human, mouse, or the like, for example.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of autologous stem/progenitor cells to restore or rejuvenate adult stem cell function in a mammal, wherein the restoration or rejuvenating extends lifespan and/or improves health of the mammal. In addition, the invention also relates to compositions containing one or more regulatory factors secreted or released from isolated mammalian stem/progenitor cells and use of such compositions to extend lifespan and/or improve health of a mammal. Also provided are methods of treating, delaying, preventing or reversing progeria or related syndromes in a mammal using isolated autologous or allogeneic stem/progenitor cells and/or regulatory factors secreted or released therefrom.

Abstract: Heparin binding peptides derived from a Tenascin (TNC) III1-5 domain or a fibrinogen ?15-66 domain have been found that bind certain cytokines with high affinity. Materials and methods for making compositions and devices using these peptides are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are described, including materials and methods for making molecules and materials that have a specific binding domain of a PlGF2. Embodiments include, for instance, medicaments, biomaterials, biomolecules, molecular fusions, and vaccines.

Abstract: The invention provides an agent for preventing or treating a condition characterised by the presence of unwanted cells, the agent comprising: (i) a targeting moiety that is capable of targeting to the unwanted cells; and (ii) a T cell antigen, wherein the T cell antigen can be released from the targeting moiety by selective cleavage of a cleavage site in the agent in the vicinity of the unwanted cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptide derivatives of IGFBP-3 that are resistant to proteolytic cleavage. These IGFBP-3 derivatives are useful in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising such IGFBP-3 derivatives and methods for using these derivatives for the treatment of a variety of disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides a multimer comprising at least a first and a second chain, the first chain comprising the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4, wherein the leucine at position 98 is substituted with an arginine; the proline at position 171 is substituted with glycine; and the alanine at position 180 is substituted with glutamic acid; a linker sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:31; and an Fe domain comprising SEQ NO:11; and a second chain comprising the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4, wherein the leucine at position 98 is substituted with an arginine; the proline at position 171 is substituted with glycine; and the alanine at position 180 is substituted with glutamic acid; a linker sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:31; and an Fe domain comprising SEQ ID NO:11, nucleic acids encoding the multimer, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the multimer and methods for treating metabolic disorders using such nucleic acids, multimers or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydroxyalkylstarch (HAS)-polypeptide-conjugate (HAS-polypeptide) comprising one or more HAS molecules, wherein each HAS is conjugated to the polypeptide via a carbohydrate moiety or a thioether as well as to methods for the production thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the polypeptide is erythropoietin (EPO).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a human patient for coronary artery disease, comprising administering into at least one coronary vessel of a human patient in need of treatment for coronary artery disease a safe and angiogenically effective dose of a recombinant FGF-5 of SEQ ID NO:9, or an angiogenically active fragment or mutein thereof. The invention is also directed to a method for inducing angiogenesis in the heart of a patient, comprising administering into at least one coronary vessel of a human patient in need of coronary angiogenesis a therapeutically effective amount of a recombinant FGF-5 of SEQ ID NO:9, or an angiogenically active fragment or mutein thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a composition for the treatment of infants age less than 2.5 years old defined as small for gestational age (SGA), including the use of hGH or any compound that increases blood levels of hGH or of IGF-I. Early use of the composition prevents the irreversible neurological and psychological damage of the children.

Abstract: VEGF-D, a new member of the PDGF family of growth factors, which among other things stimulates endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability, as well as nucleotide sequences encoding it, methods for producing it, antibodies and other antagonists to it, transfected or transformed host cells for expressing it, pharmaceutical compositions containing it, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides fibroblast growth factor variants demonstrating enhanced receptor subtype specificity and/or affinity. Preferred embodiments include both variants having enhanced activity that act as improved agonists and variants having reduced activity that act as antagonists. Methods of utilizing preferred FGF variants in preparation of medicaments for the treatment of skeletal disorders including skeletal dysplasia, osteoporosis and enhancing bone fracture healing and cartilage healing processes are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, polymeric reagents suitable for reaction with biologically active agents to form conjugates, the polymeric reagents comprising one or more polymer chains and a plurality of hydroxyapatite-targeting moieties, and optionally the reagents include one or more degradable linkages that serve to divide the polymer chains into polymer segments having a molecular weight suitable for renal clearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric protein that includes an N-terminus coupled to a C-terminus, where the N-terminus includes a portion of a paracrine fibroblast growth factor (“FGF”) and the C-terminus includes a C-terminal portion of an FGF19 molecule. The portion of the paracrine FGF is modified to decrease binding affinity for heparin and/or heparan sulfate compared to the portion without the modification. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions including chimeric proteins according to the present invention, methods for treating a subject suffering from diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, and methods of screening for compounds with enhanced binding affinity for the ?Klotho-FGF receptor complex involving the use of chimeric proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric protein that includes an N-terminus coupled to a C-terminus, where the N-terminus includes a portion of a paracrine fibroblast growth factor (“FGF”) and the C-terminus includes a C-terminal portion of an FGF21 molecule. The portion of the paracrine FGF is modified to decrease binding affinity for heparin and/or heparan sulfate compared to the portion without the modification. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions including chimeric proteins according to the present invention, methods for treating a subject suffering from diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, and methods of screening for compounds with enhanced binding affinity for the ?Klotho-FGF receptor complex involving the use of chimeric proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric protein that includes an N-terminus coupled to a C-terminus, where the N-terminus includes a portion of a paracrine fibroblast growth factor (“FGF”) and the C-terminus includes a C-terminal portion of an FGF23 molecule. The portion of the paracrine FGF is modified to decrease binding affinity for heparin and/or heparan sulfate compared to the portion without the modification. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions including chimeric proteins according to the present invention, methods for treating a subject suffering from a disorder, and methods of screening for compounds with enhanced binding affinity for the ?Klotho-FGF receptor complex involving the use of chimeric proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: This present invention relates to pharmacologically potent and/or stable variants of human fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), pharmaceutical compositions comprising FGF21 variants, and methods for treating type 2 diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, or metabolic syndrome, or any combination thereof, using such variants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protein complexes or scaffold comprising cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) polypeptides bound to one or more growth factors, and methods of their use in promoting chondrogenesis and/or osteogenesis, and repair of cartilage and bone lesions.

Abstract: A problem of the present invention is to provide a skin collagen production-promoting agent without safety problems. Another problem of the present invention is to provide a skin collagen production-promoting food or drink product and a skin collagen production-promoting cosmetic product containing such a substance. TGF-? and/or a TGF-? degradation product, which is acquired by degrading TGF-? with a protease such as pepsin, pancreatin, etc., are used as a skin collagen production-promoting agent or the active ingredient of a skin collagen production-promoting food or drink product and a skin collagen production-promoting cosmetic product. The aforementioned TGF-? and/or TGF-? degradation product have an effect of increasing the collagen content of the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a novel method of introducing property modifying groups to a protein. In particular, the present invention relates to the derivatization of lysine residues, as well as new conjugates of growth hormones with improved pharmacological properties, and methods for their preparation and use in therapy.

Abstract: Described herein is a novel receptor-ligand interaction and agents that may modify and/or block the interaction. Methods, uses, reagents and kits for the modulation of ligand activities related to its interaction with the novel receptor are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapeutic uses of reagents in treating inflammation-related disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases or conditions comprising administration of GLP-1, and/or naturally or artificially occurring variants or analogues of GLP-1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, alone or in combination with one or more active agents (e.g., an aromatic-cationic peptide such as D-Arg-2?6?-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2).

Abstract: Provided are MUC18 targeting peptides which may be used, e.g., to therapeutically target B-1 lymphocytes to reduce the influence of these cells on the metastatic potential of melanoma cells and/or to target cancerous cells, including certain melanoma and leukemia cells. MUC18 targeting peptides may be comprised in fusion constructs, imaging constructs, and/or therapeutic constructs such as fusion constructs which may be used for diagnosing or treating a cancer.