Theratechnologies Inc.

Les Laboratoires Aeterna, Inc.

Les Laboratories Aeterna Inc.

Aeterna Zentaris Gmbh

Paul Brazeau

Eric Dupont

Thierry Abribat

Michel Ibea

Christina Juneau

Daniel H Maes

Kenneth D Marenus

Denis Gravel

Richard B&eacute;liveau

&Eacute;ric Dupont

Kenneth Marenus

Abdelkrim Habi

Christi Juneau

Michele Boushira

Christian Juneau

The present invention relates to cartilage extracts and to a method of producing the same. Shark cartilage extracts having anti-angiogenic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenolytic activities have been obtained by an improved process. The process comprises the steps of obtaining a crude cartilage extract in an aqueous solution, this crude extract being fractionated to recover molecules of a molecular weight less than about 500 kDa. Some of the biologically active components of the extract are prepared by further fractionation. The cartilage extract can be used for treating diseases or conditions having etiological components selected from the group consisting of tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation, metalloprotease activity and collagenolysis. Several cosmetic applications based on the capacity of the liquid extract to improve skin conditions are also disclosed. A simple and efficient process for the preparation of cartilage extracts is also disclosed.

Shark cartilage extract: process of making, methods of using, and compositions thereof

The present invention relates to chimeric fatty body-GRF analogs with increased biological potency, their application as anabolic agents and in the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone deficiencies. The chimeric fatty body-GRF analogs include an hydrophobic moiety (tail), and can be prepared, either by anchoring at least one hydrophobic tail to the GRF, in the chemical synthesis of GRF. The GRF analogs of the present invention are biodegradable, non-immunogenic and exhibit an improved anabolic potency with a reduced dosage and prolonged activity.

GRF analogs with increased biological potency

Shark cartilage extract:process of making, methods of using and compositions thereof

The present invention relates to a long-acting galenical formulation of GRF peptides, GRF and/or analogs thereof which comprises about 1 to about 100 mg of a GRF peptide, fragment or analog thereof pressed from about 1 to about 100 kg/mm,in a tablet for parenteral administration, whereby these GRF peptides are released as the tablet is eroded.

Long-acting galenical formulation for GRF peptides

The present invention relates to a device for closing cutaneous wounds without sutures, which comprises a pair of three-dimensionally flexible strips adopted to be positioned on each side of a wound and formed of a plurality of laterally spaced apart elongated anchoring members extending side-by-side in succession and transversely of the wound and being interconnected in a three-dimensionally flexible manner to follow the lips of an open wound. Each of the anchoring members has on the underside thereof an adhesive surface for adhesion directly of indirectly to the skin of a patient, and includes at an inner end thereof a thread receiving and retaining portion, whereby a thread can be engaged lace-wise through the anchoring members of both strips so as to draw the anchoring members of one strip towards the anchoring members of the other strip in such a way so as to close in a constant tensiometric way the open wound extending between the two strips with the lips of the wound being equidistant along the entire length thereof.

Cutaneous harness for sutureless wound closing

The present invention relates to cartilage extracts and to a method of producing the same. Shark cartilage extracts having anti-angiogenic, anti-tumoral, anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenolytic activities have been obtained by an improved process. The process comprises the steps of obtaining a homogenate of cartilage in an aqueous solution, this homogenate being separated in a solid fraction (SOLID EXTRACT) and a liquid fraction which was further fractionated to obtain a LIQUID EXTRACT having molecules of a molecular weight comprised between 0 to 500 kDa. The composition of the liquid extract has then been investigated by different ways. Further fractionation of this extract led to the preliminary characterization of some of its active components. Due to the multiplicity of biological activities of the total liquid extract, it can be used for treating numerous diseases or conditions such as those having components selected from the group consisting of tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation and collagenolysis. Several cosmetic applications based on the capacity of the liquid extract to improve skin barrier function are also under the scope of this invention. These extracts have no offensive effect on normal body functions. Therefore, these shark cartilage extracts have a very promising therapeutic value. The process for the obtention of cartilage extracts is simple and efficient. The unexpectedly valuable products obtained by this process are therefore an indication of a new and non-obvious process.

Methods of using extracts of shark cartilage

The present invention relates to cartilage extracts and to a method of producing the same. Shark cartilage extracts having anti-angiogenic, direct anti-tumor proliferating, anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenolytic activities have been obtained by an improved process. The process comprises the steps of obtaining a homogenate of cartilage in an aqueous solution, this homogenate being centrifuged and further fractionated to obtain a total extract having molecules of a molecular weight comprised between 0 to 500 KDa. The composition of the liquid extract has then been investigated by different ways. Further fractionation of this extract led to the preliminary characterization of some of its active components. Due to the multiplicity of biological activities of the total liquid extract, it can be used for treating numerous diseases or conditions such as those having components selected from the group consisting of tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation and collagenolysis. This extract has no offensive effect on normal body functions. Therefore, this shark cartilage extract has a very promising therapeutic value. The process for the obtention of cartilage extracts is simple and efficient. The unexpectedly valuable products obtained by this process are therefore an indication of a new and non-obvious process.

Extracts of shark cartilage having anti-collagenolytic,

The present invention relates to shark cartilage extracts and to a method of producing the same, these extracts having anti-angiogenic properties (reduction of the area of blood vessels observed in vivo on experimentally induced tumors), tumor regressive activity in vivo as well as demonstrating a direct inhibitory effect on tumor cell lines. This process does not involve any denaturing solvent or product and does not involve the use of any enzymes. It consists of obtaining a blend of whole cartilage in an aqueous solution of neutral pH, preferably pure water, this blend being centrifuged and the pellet and supernatant kept for further processing. The pellet is lyophilized and tested for anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activities in vivo and in vitro, with or without supernatant. The supernatant has been shown to have anti-angiogenic and tumor regressive activities in vivo. The composition of the supernatant has then been investigated by different ways. Fractionation of this supernatant led to the characterization of some of its active components. The fractions were tested for their direct in vitro activity on cancer cell lines. Therefore, it is assumed that the non-fractionated supernatant has such an in vitro activity. Lyophilization substantially destroys the activity of these liquid fractions while no such abolition is observed in the solid extract.

Extracts of shark cartilage having an anti-angiogenic activity and an

The present invention relates to chimeric fatty body-pro-GRF analogs with increased biological potency, their application as anabolic agents and in the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone deficiencies. The chimeric fatty body-pro-GRF analogs include an hydrophobic moiety (tail), and can be prepared, either by anchoring one or several hydrophobic tails to the GRF, or by substituting one or several amino-acids by a pseudomicellar residue in the chemical synthesis of GRF. The GRF analogs of the present invention are biodegradable, non-immunogenic and exhibit an improved anabolic potency with a reduced dosage and prolonged activity.

Chimeric fatty body-pro-GRF (1-29) analogs with increased biological

Chimeric fatty body-pro-GRF analogs with increased biological potency

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of porcine platelet-extract containing matured growth factors, which comprises the steps of: a) centrifuging whole porcine blood at about 1000 g to about 5000 g to isolate the platelets from the platelet-rich-plasma; b) resuspending the isolated platelets of step a) in Plasma-Lyte A and centrifuging to concentrate the platelets; c) washing the concentrated platelets of step b); d) lyophilizing the washed platelets of step c); whereby causing lysis of the platelets and producing the platelet extract in optimal amount.

Process for the preparation of platelet growth factors extract

The present invention relates to a long-acting galenical formulation of GRF peptides, pro-GRF and/or analogs thereof which comprises about 1 to about 100 mg of a GRF peptide, fragment or analog thereof pressed from about 1 to about 100 kg/mm.sup.2 in a tablet for parenteral administration, whereby these GRF peptides are released as the tablet is eroded.

The present invention relates to shark cartilage extracts and to a method of producing the same, these extracts having anti-angiogenic properties (reduction of the area of blood vessels observed in vivo on experimentally induced tumors), tumor regressive activity in vivo as well as demonstrating a direct inhibitory effect on tumor cell lines. This process does not involve any denaturing solvent or product and does not involve the use of any enzymes. It consists of obtaining a blend of whole cartilage in an aqueous solution of neutral pH, preferably pure water, this blend being centrifuged and the pellet and supernatant kept for further processing. The pellet is lyophylized and tested for anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activities in vivo and in vitro, with or without supernatant. The supernatant has been shown to have anti-angiogenic and tumor regressive activities in vivo. The composition of the supernatant has then been investigated by different ways. Fractionation of this supernatant led to the characterization of some of its active components. The fractions were tested for their direct in vitro activity on cancer cell lines. Therefore, it is assumed that the non-fractionated supernatant has such an in vitro activity. Lyophilization substantially destroys the activity of these liquid fractions while no such abolition is observed in the solid extract.

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Montreal, Canada

Paul Brazeau