Ciba-geigy Corporation

Novartis Corporation

David Cox

Bernd Meyhack

Albert Schmitz

Nico Cerletti

Gary Kent McMaster

Robert Roland Burk

The invention relates to a process for the production of biologically active, dimeric TGF-.beta., to novel TGF-.beta.s and pharmaceutical compositions comprising it. TGF-.beta. produced by this process can be used in various therapeutic modalities.

Process for refolding recombinantly produced TGF-.beta.-like proteins

The process for the production of a dimeric, biologically active Transforming Growth Factor type .beta. (TGF-.beta.)-like protein or a salt thereof, comprising refolding the denatured monomeric form of the protein in the presence of a mild detergent that permits folding of the monomeric protein into a spatial conformation, which after dimerization, is the conformation associated with the biological activity, while retaining the monomeric protein in soluble form. Mild detergents include sulfobetaines, 3-(3-chlolamidopropyl)dimethylammonio-1-propanesulfonate, 3-(3-chlolamidopropyl)dimethylammonio-2-hydroxy-1-propane-sulfonate, digitonin, cholate and deoxycholate at a concentration of about 1 to 100 mM. Compositions containing a TGF-.beta.-like protein produced according the invention can be used for the promotion and acceleration of wound healing and bone and tissue repair, cancer treatment, bone marrow protective agent, as a mediator of cardio-protection, as an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent, or as a growth regulator in mammalian cell cultures.

A Milk Growth Factor (MGF) obtained from milk, methods for its isolation and purification from milk or milk products, pharmaceutical compositions, food compositions and cell growth media comprising the factor and the uses thereof for treating trauma in mammals, suppressing the immune response, treating cancer, stimulating growth of mammals and cell cultures.

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Himmelried, Switzerland

David Cox