Zymogenetics, Inc.

Mallinckrodt Pharma IP Trading D.a.c.

Ares Trading S.a.

Alisa M Littau

Paul D Bishop

Kirk P Van Ness

Wayne J Wallis

Linda Zuckerman

Hans Otto Lennart Graffner

Rafael A Ponce, Jr

William Allan Alexander

Steve R Carter

Matthew S Holdren

Claudia Pena Rossi

Jr Rafael A Ponce

Provided is a surgical applicator and applicator tip configured to attach in fluid communication, for the delivery of beneficial fluids. The applicator tip may also be configured to reversibly attach, in fluid communication, with a pledget. For example, the applicator tip may include male or female threads, and the pledget has threads that are complementary to the thread configuration of the tip. The applicator tip may further comprise at least one fluid transfer lumen for transfer of a fluid from the tip to the pledget. In one embodiment of the invention, the tip includes male threads and the pledget includes a pledget attachment portion. There are also provided methods for connecting the tip to the pledget. In one embodiment, a tip comprising male threads is attached to the pledget, comprising a pledget attachment portion, by tapping or pressing the tip into the pledget attachment portion. There are also provided methods of use for the attached tip and pledget, including debridement, tissue translocation, delivery of fluid substances, absorption of fluid substances and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the applicator places a thrombin solution into the attached pledget for delivery of an active hemostatic agent to a tissue site.

Medical devices for delivering fluids during surgery and methods for their use

The invention relates to novel combination therapies involving BLyS or BLyS/APRIL inhibition and immunosuppressants for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. One preferred method is where the BLyS and/or APRIL antagonist is a Fc-fusion protein which can be a TACI-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of TACI or a functional fragment thereof, a BAFF-R-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BAFF-R or a functional fragment thereof, or a BCMA-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BCMA or a functional fragment thereof. In the methods of the present invention some of the immunosuppressive drugs contemplated include cyclophosphamide (CYC), azathioprine (AZA), cyclosporine A (CSA), or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), although any drug that suppresses the immune system may be suitable. The methods of the present invention reduce the levels of various immunoglobulins in patients in need of such reduction, such as those suffering from autoimmune diseases.

Combination of BLyS and/or APRIL inhibition and immunosuppressants for treatment of autoimmune disease

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Woodinville, WA, United States of America

Alisa M Littau