Duke University

Other

Isis Innovation Limited

David Needham

Andrew John Heron

John Hagan Pryce Bayley

Matthew Holden

John Hagen Pryce Bayley

Ranjit S Sarpal

Robert Anthony Mook

Lawrence S Barak

Herbert K Lyerly

Joseph O DeAngelo

Wei Chen

Jiangbo Wang

Xiu-rong Ren

Robert A Mook

Carroll Jones

Minyong Chen

Dennis Heejong Kim

Xiu-Rong Ren

Herbert Kim Lyerly

Described are methods of treating a disease associated with dysregulation of the Wnt/Frizzled signaling pathway. The methods include identifying subjects in need of therapy, administering inhibitors of the Wnt/Frizzled signaling pathway, pharmaceutical compositions including the inhibitors, and methods of using the compounds and compositions for treating cancer, bacterial and viral infection, lupus, type II diabetes, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a subject.

Chemical modulators of signaling pathways and therapeutic use

A liposome contains an active agent and has a gel-phase lipid bilayer membrane comprising phospholipid and a surface active agent. The phospholipids are the primary lipid source for the lipid bilayer membrane and the surface active agent is contained in the bilayer membrane in an amount sufficient to increase the percentage of active agent released at the phase transition temperature of the lipid bilayer, compared to that which would occur in the absence of the surface active agent. The surface active agent is present in the lipid bilayer membrane so as to not destabilize the membrane in the gel phase.

Temperature-sensitive liposomal formulation

A method of forming bilayers of amphipathic molecules uses droplets of aqueous solution in a hydrophobic medium such as oil. A layer of amphipathic molecules such as a lipid is formed around the surfaces of the droplets. This may be achieved by providing the lipid in the oil and leaving the droplets for a time sufficient to form the layer. The droplets are brought into contact with one another so that a bilayer of the amphipathic molecules is formed as an interface between the contacting droplets. The bilayers may be used for a wide range of studies. The technique has numerous advantages including providing a long lifetime for the bilayers, allowing study of small volumes and allowing the construction of chains and networks of droplets with bilayers in between to study complex systems.

Formation of bilayers of amphipathic molecules

A composition comprising a glassified, stabilized particle preparation having a low water activity (between about 0.1 and 0.9) is provided. The preparations provide improved products with enhanced storage stability, less expensive cost of processing, and extended shelf life. The glassified, stabilized particle preparations are particularly efficacious in the preparation of perishable products, especially pharmaceutical agents, such as human blood and blood products (e.g., red blood cells). A single emulsion process comprising a 2-phase system for preserving food and pharmaceutical products is also provided. Stabilized biological products as glassified beads are also provided, as well as a method for rehydrating and/or reconstituting the glassified beads to provide useful and fully active reconstituted and/or rehydrated materials is also presented.

Stabilized products, processes and devices for preparing the same

Disclosed is a multi-compartment medical device useful in the storage, processing and extended shelf life of perishable products, especially pharmaceutical, food and biological products. Particular biological materials processed according to the present methods are human blood and blood products (RBCs). Also disclosed are processes for preserving food, pharmaceutical and biological products for long-term storage and extended shelf life employing a process that reduces the hydration level of the material to less than native hydration levels of the specific product. The invention further provides stabilized biological products, such as in the form of glassified beads, prepared using a two-phase system according to the described processes that may be rehydrated and prepared for clinical use, and having essentially no loss of biological and/or pharmacological activity.

Stabilized products, process and devices for preparing same

Liposomes formulations are designed to maximize the amount of poorly water-soluble active agent that can be carried by the liposome. Liposomes containing active agent in the lipid bilayer of the liposome, and/or entrapped within the liposome interior space in a micellar preparation are described. Methods of making such liposomes are presented.

Liposomes containing active agents

A method for producing a gas microbubble comprises subjecting the gas microbubble to isothermal conditions or cooling conditions such that the lipid-containing shell cools at a rate ranging from about 10,&deg; C./min. to about 10,&deg; C./min., and wherein said subjecting step transforms the lipid-containing shell from a liquid state to a solid state.

Methods for producing gas microbubbles having lipid-containing shells formed thereon

Temperature sensitive liposomes containing active agents are described. The liposomes comprise phospholipids and a surface active agent, such as a lysolipid, that increases the amount of active agent released by the liposome at the phase transition temperature of the liposome. Such liposomes are useful in methods of administering active agents using mild hyperthermic conditions.

Liposomes contain active agents which are aggregated with a lipid surfactant. The composition of the liposome membrane stabilizes the membrane against the disruptive effects of the active agent-surfactant aggregate contained therein.

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

David Needham