Photocure Asa

Amersham Health As

Aslak Godal

Jo Klaveness

Nils Olav Nilsen

Jon Erik Braenden

Kjetil Hestdal

Hans Christian Wulf

Alan Cuthbertson

Magne Solbakken

Johan E Moan

P&aring;l Rongved

Qian Peng

Trond Warloe

Harald Steen

Karl E Gierskcky

Lars Hoff

Alf Bjorseth

Halldis Hellebust

Helge Tolleshaug

Enrique P Alabata

Dagfinn Lovhaug

Anders H&oslash;gset

Dagfinn L&oslash;vhaug

Anne N&aelig;vestad

Klaus Bryn

Jon Erik Brænden

Tore Gjørsvik

Mari Ann Kulseth

Geir Gogstad

Per Harald Fuglerud

Bjorn Klem

Roger William Rolfe Warren

Colin Barry Charnock

Oddveig Sellæg Helland

Stig Ove Johnsen

Anja J Jentoft

Hilde Morris

Gry Stensrud

Roger William Warren

Tore Gjorsvik

This invention relates to a method of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for bladder cancer and its use as an adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of bladder cancer. The invention provides a composition comprising hexyl 5-ALA ester (HAL) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in a method of photodynamic therapy for bladder cancer, wherein said composition is instilled into the bladder of a patient in need of such treatment and the inside of said bladder is exposed to blue light having a fluence rate of 1.5 to 12.5 mW/cm2.

Method of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for bladder cancer

A catheter device for use in the photodynamic treatment of a body cavity or hollow organ of the body, such as the bladder, the device being used in the photodynamic treatment of abnormalities, disorders or diseases of the internal surfaces of said body cavity or hollow organ.

Device for photodynamic treatment

The invention provides the use of a photosensitiser which is a derivative (e.g. an ester) of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a composition for use in methods of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on an animal, wherein said PDT comprises: Preferably, side effects of PDT are prevented or reduced by using (ii) or (iv) in combination with (i) and/or (ii).

Use of aminolevulinic acid and derivatives thereof

The invention relates to new derivatives of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and their use as photosensitizing agents. In particular, it relates to compounds of general formula I and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, to methods for preparing such compounds and their medical and cosmetic use, for example in methods of photodynamic therapy and diagnosis: whereinRrepresents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl or cycloalkyl group;R, each of which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; andX is a linking group.

Carboxylic acid ALA esters

The present invention relates to compositions comprising a derivative of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), e.g. an ester of 5-ALA or a skin compatible salt thereof. Further, the invention relates to use of such compositions in methods of cosmetic treatment, particularly in methods of improving or otherwise enhancing the appearance of the skin.

Compositions comprising a derivative of 5-aminolevulinic acid

The invention provides the use of a photosensitizer which is 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or a derivative (e.g. an ester) of 5-ALA, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a composition for use in methods of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on an animal, wherein said PDT comprises: (a) administering to said animal a composition comprising said photosensitizer; and (b) photoactivating said photosensitizer, and wherein side-effects (e.g. pain and/or erythema) of said PDT are prevented or reduced by use of one or more of (i)-(iv): (i) said composition comprises said photosensitizer in a concentration of less than 10% wt (e.g. 0.5 to 8% wt), (ii) said composition is administered for less than 2 hours (e.g. 30 minutes to 90 minutes) prior to said photoactivation, (iii) said photoactivation is carried out with a light source having a fluence rate of less than 50 mW/cm(e.g. 5 to 40 mW/cm), (iv) said photoactivation is carried out with sunlight. Preferably, side-effects of PDT are prevented or reduced by using (iii) or (iv) in combination with (i) and/or (ii).

The present invention provides an acid addition salt of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or of a 5-ALA derivative (e.g. a 5-ALA ester) with an acid which has a pKa of about 5 or less, preferably about 3 or less, with the proviso that the acid is other than hydrochloric acid. Particularly preferred salts are those derived from acids selected from the group comprising sulphonic acid and its derivatives, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid. The salts in accordance with the invention are particularly suitable for use as photosensitizing agents in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body.

Acid addition salts of 5-aminolevulinic acid or its derivatives

The invention provides use of a photosensitiser, which is a derivative (e.g., an ester) of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the prevention or treatment of acne.

Treatment of acne using derivatives of 5-aminolevulinic acid

The invention provides compounds for use in photochemotherapy or diagnosis, said compounds being branched alkyl esters or substituted alkyl esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid, or derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In particular, the invention provides compounds of formula (I): RN&#x2014;CHCOCHCHCO&#x2014;OR(wherein Rrepresents an optionally substituted branched alkyl (e.g. Calkyl) group, or a substituted alkyl group; R, each of which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, preferably a group R; wherein said substituents are selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, amino, aryl, nitro, oxo, fluoro, &#x2014;SR, &#x2014;NRand PRgroups, and each alkyl group is optionally interrupted by one or more O&#x2014;, &#x2014;NR&#x2014;, &#x2014;S&#x2014; or &#x2014;PR&#x2014; groups; and Rrepresents a hydrogen atom or a Calkyl group) and salts thereof for us in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders of abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body, and products and kits for performing the invention.

Esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid as photosensitizing agents in photochemotherapy

The present invention relates to compounds being esters of 5-aminolevulinic acids or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including compounds of formula (I) RN&#x2014;CHCOCH&#x2014;CHCO&#x2014;OR(wherein Rmay represent alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, amino, aryl, oxo or fluoro groups and optionally interrupted by oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur or phosphorus atoms; and Rrepresents a hydrogen atom or a group R, and both Rgroups may be the identical or different), and their use in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body, and products and kits for performing the invention.

Esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid and their use as photosensitizing compounds in photochemotherapy

The invention provides compounds for use in photochemotherapy or diagnosis, said compounds being branched alkyl esters or substituted alkyl esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid, or derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In particular, the invention provides compounds of formula (I): RN&#x2014;CHCOCHCHCO&#x2014;OR(wherein Rrepresents an optionally substituted branched alkyl (e.g. Calkyl) group, or a substituted alkyl group; R, each of which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, preferably a group R; wherein said substituents are selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, amino, aryl, nitro, oxo, fluoro, &#x2014;SR, &#x2014;NRand PRgroups, and each alkyl group is optionally interrupted by one or more O&#x2014;, &#x2014;NR&#x2014;, &#x2014;S&#x2014; or &#x2014;PR&#x2014; groups; and Rrepresents a hydrogen atom or a Calkyl group) and salts thereof for use in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders of abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body, and products and kits for performing the invention.

A method for the identification and characterization of a receptor in target tissue for which a selected vector has affinity, wherein a transfected cell line expressing the receptor is added to a suspension of encapsulated microbubbles to which the selected vector is coupled and allowing the microbubbles and cells coupled thereto to float to the surface of the suspension. Upon isolating the microbubble-bound cells at the surface, these may be cultured to study the receptor, or cells may be lysed, amplifying the receptor-encoding cDNA and sequencing the cDNA.

Method for the identification of a receptor

Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, comprising a suspension in an aqueous carrier liquid of a reporter comprising gas-containing or gas-generating material, said agent being capable of forming at least two types of binding pairs with a target.

Diagnostic/therapeutic agents

Growing community of inventors

Oslo, Norway

Aslak Godal