The Liposome Company, Inc.

Paul A Harmon

Andrew S Janoff

J Craig Franklin

Eric G Mayhew

Suresh K Bhatia

Donna J Cabral-Lilly

Robert A Reed

This invention provides a taxane derivative of the formula:

Hydrophobic taxane derivatives

This invention provides a taxane derivative of the formula: ##STR1## wherein a hydrophobic organic moiety is attached to a taxane. R and R.sup.1 is each indepently H or a hydrophobic organic moiety, as long as at least one of R and R.sup.1 is not H. Attachment of a hydrophobic organic moiety to the taxane so as to obtain a taxane derivative generally stabilizes the association of the derivative with a lipid, including a liposomal lipid, carrier in the plasma of animals to which the derivative-carrier association is administered. Also provided herein is a composition containing the taxane derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable medium; desirably, the medium also contains a lipid carrier, and the derivative is associated with the carrier. Further provided herein is a method of administering taxane derivatives to animals, for example, animals afflicted with cancers.

Preparation of liposomal taxanes

Endotoxin incorporated into liposomes, lipid bilayers or lipid complexes can be detected by combining an aqueous suspension of the liposomes, lipid complexes or lipid bilayers with a suitable detergent. Preferable detergents, e.g., Lubrol-PX.TM. or a polyoxyethylene ether, solubilize the lipid bilayers, liposomes or lipid complexes at acceptable lipid concentrations, forming micelles therefrom which contain lipid bilayer, liposome or lipid complex lipid, detergent and endotoxin, should it be present. The micelles are then assayed for the presence of endotoxin.

Detection of endotoxin levels in liposomes, lipid bilayers and lipid

Synthesis of hydrophobic taxane derivatives

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Newtown, PA, United States of America

Paul A Harmon