Cetus Corporation

Cetus Oncology Corporation

Michael J Knauf

Nandini Katre

Robert F Halenbeck

Robert J Goodson

Peter C McCabe

Muteins of IL-2 in which one of the amino acids of the mature native sequence of IL-2 is replaced by a cysteine residue are prepared and conjugated through the replaced cysteine residue to a polymer selected from polyethylene glycol homopolymers or polyoxyethylated polyols, wherein said homopolymers are unsubstituted or substituted at one end with an alkyl group. These muteins are made via host expression of mutant genes encoding the muteins that have been changed from the genes for the parent proteins by site-directed mutagenesis. In addition, other species of IL-2 may be conjugated via the cysteine residue at position 125 of the mature IL-2 protein that is not necessary for the biological activity of the IL-2.

Interleukin-2 muteins and polymer conjugation thereof

A pharmaceutical composition is prepared wherein biologically active conjugated interleukin-2 is dissolved in an aqueous carrier medium without the presence of a solubilizing agent. The unconjugated IL-2, which is not water soluble or not readily soluble in water at pH 6-8 without such solubilizing agent, is selectively conjugated to one or more succinyl groups by reaction with succinic anhydride.

Succinylated interleukin-2 for pharmaceutical compositions

A pharmaceutical composition is prepared wherein a biologically active conjugated protein which is .beta.-interferon, interleukin-2, or an immunotoxin is dissolved in an aqueous carrier medium without the presence of a solubilizing agent. The unconjugated protein, which is not water-soluble or not readily soluble in water at pH 6-8 without such solubilizing agent, is selectively conjugated to a water-soluble polymer selected from polyethylene glycol homopolymers or polyoxyethylated polyols.

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San Bruno, CA, United States of America

Michael J Knauf