Praecis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Genetics Institute, Inc. - Legal Affairs

Praecis Pharmaceutics, Inc.

Marc B Garnick

Malcolm L Gefter

Christopher J Molineaux

Gary Fred Musso

Mark A Findeis

Ethan R Signer

James Wakefield

Howard Benjamin

Arvind Hundal

Laura Kasman

Michael J Reed

Michael Kelley

Susan Molineaux

Joseph Chin

Jung-Ja Lee

William Kubasek

Alex DePaoli

William C Melcher

Paul M Martha, Jr

Compounds that modulate the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins or peptides are disclosed. The modulators of the invention can promote amyloid aggregation or, more preferably, can inhibit natural amyloid aggregation. In a preferred embodiment, the compounds modulate the aggregation of natural &#x3b2; amyloid peptides (&#x3b2;-AP). In a preferred embodiment, the &#x3b2; amyloid modulator compounds of the invention are comprised of an A&#x3b2; aggregation core domain and a modifying group coupled thereto such that the compound alters the aggregation or inhibits the neurotoxicity of natural &#x3b2; amyloid peptides when contacted with the peptides. Furthermore, the modulators are capable of altering natural &#x3b2;-AP aggregation when the natural &#x3b2;-APs are in a molar excess amount relative to the modulators. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, and diagnostic and treatment methods for amyloidogenic diseases using the compounds of the invention, are also disclosed.

Modulators of amyloid aggregation

Methods for treating FSH related conditions, such as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, pedophilia, infertility, or vaginal bleeding, with GnRH antagonists are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administering to a subject a GnRH antagonist suitable for in vivo administration and able to reduce both plasma FSH and LH levels in a subject, in an amount or in a formulation effective to reduce plasma FSH levels in the subject to a symptom alleviating level. In vitro fertilization and male contraceptive methods are also provided.

Methods for treating FSH related conditions with GnRH antagonists

Improved methods for detecting lesions in dense breast tissue are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administration to a subject of an LHRH antagonist in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to reduce the density of breast tissue prior to generating an image of the breast tissue, for example by mammography, to detect a lesion in the breast tissue. Packaged formulations for reducing breast density in a subject prior to generating an image of the subject's breast tissue, comprising an LHRH antagonist packaged with instructions for using the LHRH antagonist to reduce breast density in a subject prior to imaging the breast tissue, are also disclosed.

Methods for detecting lesions in dense breast tissue using LHRH antagonists

Methods to inhibit hot flashes or gynaecomastia in a subject are provided. In the methods of the invention, an LHRH antagonist is administered to a subject in need of treatment for hot flashes or gynaecomastia such that hot flashes or gynaecomastia are inhibited in the subject. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method for inhibiting menopause-related hot flashes in which an LHRH antagonist is administered to a subject in need of treatment for menopause-related hot flashes such that the hot flashes are inhibited in the subject.

Methods for treating hot flashes and gynaecomastia

Methods for treating prostate cancer are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administration to a subject of an LHRH-R antagonist, in combination with a second therapy. In one embodiment, this second therapy is performance of a procedure that removes or destroys prostatic tumor tissue, such as a radical prostatectomy, cryosurgery or X-ray therapy (external or interstitial). In another embodiment, the second therapy is treatment with an LHRH-R agonist, either simultaneous with or subsequent to LHRH-R antagonist therapy. The methods of the invention can further involve administering an antiandrogen and/or an inhibitor of sex steroid biosynthesis to the subject in combination with the LHRH-R antagonist.

Methods for treating sex hormone-dependent conditions with Lhrh antagonists

Compounds that modulate the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins or peptides are disclosed. The modulators of the invention can promote amyloid aggregation or, more preferably, can inhibit natural amyloid aggregation. In a preferred embodiment, the compounds modulate the aggregation of natural &bgr; amyloid peptides (&bgr;-AP). In a preferred embodiment, the &bgr; amyloid modulator compounds of the invention are comprised of an A&bgr; aggregation core domain and a modifying group coupled thereto such that the compound alters the aggregation or inhibits the neurotoxicity of natural &bgr; amyloid peptides when contacted with the peptides. Furthermore, the modulators are capable of altering natural &bgr;-AP aggregation when the natural &bgr;-APs are in a molar excess amount relative to the modulators. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, and diagnostic and treatment methods for amyloidogenic diseases using the compounds of the invention, are also disclosed.

Methods for treating LHRH associated disorders with LHRH antagonists

Methods for treating prostate cancer with LHRH-R antagonists

Compounds that modulate the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins or peptides are disclosed. The modulators of the invention can promote amyloid aggregation or, more preferably, can inhibit natural amyloid aggregation. In a preferred embodiment, the compounds modulate the aggregation of natural .beta. amyloid peptides (.beta.-AP). In a preferred embodiment, the .beta. amyloid modulator compounds of the invention are comprised of an A.beta. aggregation core domain and a modifying group coupled thereto such that the compound alters the aggregation or inhibits the neurotoxicity of natural .beta. amyloid peptides when contacted with the peptides. Furthermore, the modulators are capable of altering natural .beta.-AP aggregation when the natural .beta.-APs are in a molar excess amount relative to the modulators. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, and diagnostic and treatment methods for amyloidogenic diseases using the compounds of the invention, are also disclosed.

A.beta. peptides that modulate .beta.-amyloid aggregation

Compounds that act to modulate the aggregation of natural .beta. amyloid peptides (.beta.-AP) are disclosed. The .beta. amyloid modulators of the invention can promote .beta.-AP aggregation or, more preferably, can inhibit natural .beta.-AP aggregation. Furthermore, the modulators are capable of altering natural .beta.-AP aggregation when the natural .beta.-APs are in a molar excess amount relative to the modulators. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, and methods of altering natural .beta.-AP aggregation using the compounds of the invention, are also disclosed.

Modulators of .beta.-amyloid peptide aggregation

Methods for treating prostate cancer are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administration to a subject of an LHRH antagonist, in combination with a second therapy. In one embodiment, this second therapy is performance of a procedure that removes or destroys prostatic tumor tissue, such as a radical prostatectomy, cryosurgery or radiation therapy (external or interstitial). In another embodiment, the second therapy is treatment with an LHRH agonist, either simultaneous with or subsequent to LHRH antagonist therapy. The methods of the invention can further involve administering an antiandrogen and/or an inhibitor of sex steroid biosynthesis to the subject in combination with the LHRH antagonist. Methods for inhibiting the LHRH agonist-induced hormone surge, whatever its clinical setting, are also disclosed. These methods generally involve administration of an LHRH-antagonist in combination with the LHRH agonist. Complete suppression of the LHRH agonist-induced hormone surge has been achieved by pretreatment with a sustained-release formulation of LHRH antagonist.

Methods for treating prostate cancer with LHRH antagonists

Compounds that act to modulate the aggregation of natural .beta. amyloid peptides (.beta.-AP) are disclosed. The .beta. amyloid modulators of the invention can promote .beta.-AP aggregation or, more preferably, can inhibit natural .beta.-AP aggregation. Furthermore, the modulators are capable of altering natural .beta.-AP aggregation when the natural .beta.-APs are in a molar excess amount relative to the modulators. Preferred .beta. amyloid modulators comprise amino-terminally biotinylated .beta. amyloid peptide compounds. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, and methods of altering natural .beta.-AP aggregation using the compounds of the invention, are also disclosed.

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Brookline, MA, United States of America

Marc B Garnick