Alpha Beta Technology, Inc.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Collaborative Group, Ltd.

Biopolymer Engineering, Inc.

Biopolymer Engineering Pharmaceutical, Inc.

Spiros Jamas

D Davidson Easson, Jr

Gary R Ostroff

Anthony J Sinskey

ChoKyun Rha

Bruce R Bistrian

Myra L Patchen

The invention pertains to compositions and therapeutic and prophylatic methods for treating/preventing infections in an animal or human by administering a soluble &#x3b2;-glucan composition comprising &#x3b2;-glucan molecules having an average molecular weight of at least 1,000,000 daltons, as determined by multi-angle laser light scattering (VHMW-glucan).

Very high molecular weight &#x3b2;-glucans

The invention pertains to compositions and therapeutic and prophylatic methods for treating/preventing infections in an animal or human by administering a soluble &bgr;-glucan composition comprising &bgr;-glucan molecules having an average molecular weight of at least 1,000,000 daltons, as determined by multi-angle laser light scattering (VHMW-glucan).

Very high molecular weight &bgr;-glucans

Compositions useful in the treatment of dietary disorders, and as dietary additives to provide a source of fiber and of short chain fatty acids, to reduce the level of serum cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol levels and as bulking agents in humans and animals, as well as methods of use therefor are described. The compositions and methods are based on whole .beta.-glucans.

Glucan dietary additives

A method for producing soluble preparations of neutral glucan polymers is disclosed. The method involves treating whole glucan particles with a unique sequence of acid and alkaline treatments to produce soluble glucan. The soluble glucan can be purified to obtain a physiologically acceptable solution of neutral glucan molecules. A soluble neutral glucan preparation is obtained which forms a clear solution at a neutral pH and is equilibrated in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Enhancement of non-specific immune defenses by administration of

The present invention relates to neutral, aqueous soluble .beta.-glucans which exert potent and specific immunological effects without stimulating the production of certain cytokines, to preparations containing the novel .beta.-glucans, and to a novel manufacturing process therefor. The neutral, aqueous soluble .beta.-glucan preparation has a high affinity for the .beta.-glucan receptor of human monocytes and retains two primary biological (or immunological) activities, (1) the enhancement of microbicidal activity of phagocytic cells, and (2) monocyte, neutrophil and platelet hemopoietic activity. Unlike soluble glucans described in the prior art, the neutral, aqueous soluble .beta.-glucan of this invention neither induces nor primes IL-1.beta. and TNF.alpha. production in vitro and in vivo. Safe and efficacious preparations of neutral, aqueous soluble .beta.-glucan of the present invention can be used in therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment regimens of humans and animals to enhance their immune response, without stimulating the production of certain biochemical mediators (e.g., IL-1.beta., TNF.alpha.) that can cause detrimental side effects, such as fever and inflammation.

Underivatized, aqueous soluable .beta.(1-3) glucan, composition and

Method for producing soluble glucans

Uses for underivatized, aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3) glucan and

The invention describes a whole .beta.-glucan drug delivery vehicle that non-specifically enhances the immune response, and is safe for human use. A drug is incorporated into a whole .beta.-glucan microparticle, and the combination is administered to an individual. The .beta.-glucan vehicle allows sustained release of the drug component while simultaneously enhancing the effectiveness of the drug by boosting the individual's endogenous immune response.

Glucan drug delivery system and adjuvant

The present invention relates to neutral soluble .beta.-glucans which exert potent and specific immunological effects without stimulating the production of certain cytokines, to preparations containing the novel .beta.-glucans, and to a novel manufacturing process therefor. The neutral soluble glucan preparation has a high affinity for the .beta.-glucan receptor of human monocytes and retains two primary biological (or immunological) activities, (1) the enhancement of microbicidal activity of phagocytic cells, and (2) monocyte and neutrophil hemopoietic activity. Unlike soluble glucans described in the prior art, the neutral soluble glucan of this invention neither induces nor primes IL-1 and TNF production in vitro and in vivo. Safe and efficacious preparations of neutral soluble glucan of the present invention can be used in therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment regimens of humans and animals to enhance their immune response, without stimulating the production of certain biochemical mediators (e.g., IL-1, TNF and leukotrienes) that can cause detrimental side effects, such as fever and inflammation.

Glucan preparation

The present invention relates to neutral soluble .beta.-glucans which exert potent and specific hematopoietic and immunological effects without stimulating the production of certain cytokines, to preparations containing the novel .beta.-glucans, and to a novel manufacturing process therefor. The neutral soluble glucan preparation has a high affinity for the .beta.-glucan receptor of human monocytes and retains two primary biological (or immunological) activities, (1) the enhancement of microbicidal activity of phagocytic cells, and (2) monocyte and neutrophil hemopoietic activity. Unlike soluble glucans described in the prior art, the neutral soluble glucan of this invention neither induces nor primes IL-1 and TNF production in vitro and in vivo. Safe and efficacious preparations of neutral soluble glucan of the present invention can be used in therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment regimens of humans and animals to enhance their immune response, without stimulating the production of certain biochemical mediators (e.g., IL-1, TNF and leukotrienes) that can cause detrimental side effects, such as fever and inflammation.

Use of aqueous soluble glucan preparations to stimulate platelet

Three dimensional glucan matrix compositions are prepared by separating growing yeast from its growth medium, subjecting the yeast with cell walls intact to an alkali material, thereby extracting whole glucan particles having an intact cell wall structure. The whole glucans can then, optionally, be treated with acetic acid to alter the .beta.(1-6) linkages, or with glucanase to alter the .beta.(1-3) linkages. The glucans have viscosity characteristics dependent upon the strain of yeast utilized and are useful as stabilizers or thickeners.

Growing community of inventors

Boston, MA, United States of America

Spiros Jamas