Genentech, Inc.

Washington University

The University of Tennessee Research Foundation

Ross G Clark

James A Wells

Germaine G Fuh

Brian C Cunningham

James Q Oeswein

Kenneth C Olson

Douglas A Yeung

Henry Bernard Lowman

Robert S McDowell

John P Burnier

Kathleen Ann Elias

Mark S Stanley

Todd C Somers

Thomas E Rawson

Hongkui Jin

Renhui Yang

Nicholas F Paoni

Paula M Jardieu

Neil Gesundheit

Steven B Miller

Wai Lee Wong

Marc R Hammerman

Michael J Cronin

Lena M Carlsson

Kenneth A Kudsk

William S Hancock

Stuart Bunting

Wai Lee Tan Wong

John E Battersby

Venkat R Mukku

Lena Mariana Susann Carlsson

Iain C Robinson

Nancy Gillett

The present invention comprises growth hormone releasing peptides/peptidomimetics (GHRP) capable of causing release of growth hormone from the pituitary. Compositions containing the GHRP's of this invention are used to promote growth in mammals either alone or in combination with other growth promoting compounds, especially IGF-1. In a method of this invention GHRP's in combination with IGF-1 are used to treat Type II diabetes. An exemplary compound of this invention is provided below

Low molecular weight peptidomimetic growth hormone secretagogues

A ligand=mediated immunofunctional assay (LIFA) method for detecting the presence and the concentration of polypeptide hormone binding proteins which comprises capturing the binding protein with a solid phase bound first antibody, saturating the bound hormone binding protein with the ligand polypeptide hormone, and detecting the bound ligand polypeptide hormone with a detectably labeled second antibody specific for the ligand polypeptide hormone. In the absence of added saturating polypeptide hormone, the LIFA measures the amount of hormone binding protein bound in the endogenous ligand polypeptide hormone. A growth hormone binding protein assay illustrates the method of the present invention. LIFA assay results indicate that increased binding protein substantially increases growth hormone activity. Methods of use and formulation of growth hormone binding protein, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein are disclosed.

Ligand-mediated immunofunctional hormone binding protein assay method

Human growth hormone variants are disclosed having enhanced affinity for the growth hormone receptor. Also disclosed are human growth hormone variants conjugated to one or more chemical groups, such as poly(ethylene glycol), which is believed to prolong the in vivo half-life of the variants.

Human growth hormone variants comprising amino acid substitutions

Compounds are provided that prevent the interaction of an IGF with any one of its binding proteins and not to a human IGF receptor. These IGF agonist compounds, which include peptides, are useful to increase serum and tissue levels of active IGFs in a mammal

Insulin-like growth factor agonist molecules

Method for inhibiting growth hormone action

The present invention comprises growth hormone releasing peptides/peptidomimetics (GHRP) capable of causing release of growth hormone from the pituitary. Compositions containing the GHRP's of this invention are used to promote growth in mammals either alone or in combination with other growth promoting compounds, especially IGF-1. In a method of this invention GHRP's in combination with IGF-1 are used to treat Type II diabetes. An exemplary compound of this invention is provided below. ##STR1##

A mammal with congestive heart failure is treated by administering to the mammal an effective amount of growth hormone. Treatment results in increased left ventricular cystolic pressure, increased left ventricular maximum, increased cardiac output, and increased stroke volume index. Treatment also results in reduced left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and reduced systemic vascular resistance. These measurements indicate improvement in cardiac function by increased ventricular contractility and decreased peripheral vascular resistance.

Treatment of congestive heart failure

Human growth hormone variants, DNA encoding the variants, vectors, host cells, pegylated forms of the variants, as well as methods of making the variants are disclosed.

Human growth hormone variants

Formulations containing NPH insulin are useful for treating hyperglycemic disorders, such as diabetes, in a mammal in need of treatment. One such formulation, which is preferably administered parenterally, more preferably by injection, comprises IGF-I and NPH insulin, in amounts of from or about 1 to 10 mg IGF-I and from or about 0.2 to 2 mg NPH insulin in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Another such formulation comprises IGF-I and NPH insulin in an acetic acid salt buffer. Still another formulation comprises IGF-I and NPH insulin in a weight ratio of NPH insulin to IGF-I of from or about 10:1 to 1:50 (w/w), from or about 0.05 to 0.3M of an osmolyte, from or about 0.1 to 10 mg/mL of a stabilizer, and from or about 5 to 100 mM of a buffer at from or about pH 5 to 7. A still further composition comprises NPH insulin in an acetic acid salt buffer.

Formulated insulin-containing composition

A method is disclosed that comprises administering insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) to a mammal so as to sustain its biological activity in the mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of IGF-I to the mammal to provide an exposure to IGF-I for a period of time that stimulates the maximum biological response in the mammal, then discontinuing said administration for a period of time equal to or less than the time period used for administration, and repeating this pattern of administration and discontinuance of administration for a period as long as necessary to achieve or maintain the desired biological response in the mammal.

Method of administration of IGF-I

A formulation for IGF-I is disclosed that is useful in treating hyperglycemic disorders and, in combination with growth hormone, in enhancing growth of a mammal. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a formulation of growth hormone and IGF-I from the IGF-I formulation. The IGF-I formulation comprises about 2-20 mg/ml of IGF-I, about 2-50 mg/ml of an osmolyte, about 1-15 mg/ml of a stabilizer, and a buffered solution at about pH 5-5.5, optionally with a surfactant.

Formulated IGF-I Composition

Methods of enhancing myocardial contractility and cardiac performance in a mammal with congestive heart failure are disclosed. In a first method a mammal with congestive heart failure is treated by administering to the mammal an effective amount of a combination of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I). A second method comprises administering to the mammal an effective amount of a combination of GH and IGF-I in the presence of an ACE inhibitor. This method results in enhancement of myocardial contractility and cardiac performance above the level achieved with ACE inhibition alone. Preferably the mammal is a human.

The present document discloses the formation of imine adducts, preferably between a primary amine of a biologically active polypeptide and a reactive aldehyde group of a physiologically acceptable carrier. The imine adduct of human growth hormone and dextran is specifically described. These adducts serve to release the biologically active polypeptide via the reversible reaction in the formation of the imine adduct bond. These adducts have a surprising degree of stability that permits the use of the complex as a sustained release preparation. A key advantage of this technology is that after hydrolysis the complex releases the unmodified pharmaceutical. Thus, these adducts can be used as pharmaceutical compositions useful for the sustained release of the biologically active polypeptide over a predetermined, desired period of time.

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Pacifica, CA, United States of America

Ross G Clark