Vivorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Vivorx, Inc.

American Bioscience, Inc.

Clover Consolidated, Ltd.

Paul A Sandford

Neil P Desai

Patrick Soon-Shiong

Mark W Grinstaff

Kenneth S Suslick

Michael Wong

Roswitha E Heintz

Soebianto Sojomihardjo

Roswitha A Heintz

Noma R Merideth

Chunlin Tao

Soebianto A Sojomihardjo

P Soon-Shiong

Shubhi Nagrani

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided rapidly crosslinkable polypeptides which are obtained upon introduction of unsaturated group(s) into the polypeptide via linkage to amino acid residues on the polypeptide directly through one of three types of linkages, namely, an amide linkage, an ester linkage, or a thioester linkage. Each of these linkages are obtainable in a single step by use of a single derivatizing agent, acrylic anhydride. Also provided are methods for preparing such modified polypeptides and various uses therefor. It has unexpectedly been found that proteins with the above-described chemical modifications have the ability to rapidly crosslink to themselves under suitable conditions. This crosslinking occurs in the absence of any external crosslinking agents (indeed, in the absence of any extraneous agents), resulting in the formation of a solid gel material. Solid crosslinked gels are formed in seconds, starting from a freely flowing solution of polypeptide. Applications of such materials are broad ranging, including the encapsulation of living cells, the encapsulation of biologically active materials, the in situ formation of degradable gels, the formation of wound dressings, the prevention of post-surgical adhesions, gene delivery, drug targetting, as a microcarrier for culture of living cells, and the like.

Crosslinkable polypeptide compositions

The present invention relates to a new form of biocompatible materials (e.g., lipids, polycations, polysaccharides) which are capable of undergoing free radical polymerization, e.g., by using certain sources of light; methods of modifying certain synthetic and naturally occurring biocompatible materials to make polymerizable microcapsules containing biological material coated with said polymerizable materials, composites of said polymerizable materials, methods of making microcapsules and encapsulating biological materials therein, and apparatus for making microcapsules containing biological cells (particularly islets of Langerhans) coated with polymerizable alginate or with a composite thereof (e.g., alginate and PEG). The present invention also relates to drug delivery systems relating to the foregoing, as well as bioadhesives and wound dressings made utilizing the foregoing technology.

Macrocapsules prepared from crosslinkable polysaccharides, polycations

Crosslinkable polysaccharides, polycations and lipids useful for

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods to render cells non-adhesive and/or non-immunogenic with respect to macromolecules typically encountered in culture media or in physiological media.

Graft copolymer of polycationic species and water-soluble polymers, and

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided derivatives of chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., paclitaxel), which serve as bifunctional agents. Invention derivatives retain the antitumor activity of the parent compound, and, coupled with the electron affinic substituents thereon, produce compounds which show a strong capability for radiosensitizing tumor cells growing in vitro. It is expected that a single drug which combines the properties of a radiosensitizer with chemotherapeutic activity will offer significant advantages not only to patients, but also to radiotherapists seeking improved modes of treatment. The combination of antitumor properties with electron-affinic function produces novel radiosensitizers, a second generation of drugs which are more powerful to fight cancers. Bifunctional agents with the dual properties of tubulin assembly and electron affinity will make the compounds useful not only as radiosensitizers, but also as cytotoxins.

Nitrophenyl, 10-deacetylated substituted taxol derivatives as dual

Microcapsules prepared from crosslinkable polysaccharides, polycations

Gel compositions prepared from crosslinkable polysaccharides,

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided compositions useful for the in vivo delivery of a biologic, wherein the biologic is associated with a polymeric shell formulated from a biocompatible material. The biologic can be associated with the polymeric shell itself, and/or the biologic, optionally suspended/dispersed in a biocompatible dispersing agent, can be encased by the polymeric shell. In another aspect, the biologic associated with polymeric shell is administered to a subject, optionally dispersed in a suitable biocompatible liquid.

Methods for the preparation of immunostimulating agents for in vivo

Methods for the preparation of pharmaceutically active agents for in

Methods for in vivo delivery of nutriceuticals and compositions useful

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided polymeric drug delivery systems in which the drug is bound to a water-soluble polymer to provide a form of soluble drug delivery especially for those cases in which the drug by itself is water-insoluble. In particular, the drug taxol is covalently bound to water-soluble polyethylene glycols such as linear polyethylene glycols, branched polyethylene glycols, star polyethylene glycols, and branched copolymers of polyethylene glycols with other functional monomers to comprise a form of polymeric drug delivery. Also, crosslinked insoluble gels of these materials are prepared to serve as a form of implantable drug delivery.

Water-soluble polymeric carriers for drug delivery

Methods for the preparation of nucleic acids for in vivo delivery

Methods for the preparation of blood substitutes for in vivo delivery

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods to render cells non-adhesive and/or non-immunogenic with respect to macromolecules typically encountered in culture media or in physiological media. The invention method comprises contacting cells with an effective amount of a composition comprising a polycationic species having water-soluble polymer chains grafted thereon.

Graft copolymers of polycationic species and water-soluble polymers, and

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided compositions for the in vivo delivery of substantially water insoluble pharmacologically active agents (such as the anticancer drug taxol) in which the pharmacologically active agent is delivered in a soluble form or in the form of suspended particles. In particular, the soluble form may comprise a solution of pharmacologically active agent in a biocompatible dispersing agent contained within a protein walled shell. Alternatively, the protein walled shell may contain particles of taxol. In another aspect, the suspended form comprises particles of pharmacologically active agent in a biocompatible aqueous liquid.

Methods for in vivo delivery of substantially water insoluble

Growing community of inventors

Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Paul A Sandford