Advanced Magnetics, Inc.

Stephen Palmacci

Lee Josephson

Chu W Jung

Ernest V Groman

Jerome M Lewis

Philip M Enriquez

A substantially purified arabinogalactan, its degradative products and selected modifications thereof have been found to act as carriers for delivering therapeutic agent to cell receptors capable of receptor mediated endocytosis (RME). The arabinogalactan and its degrative products once derivatived are capable of forming a complex between the therapeutic agent and the polysaccharide such that the complex retains the ability to recognize and bind to the RME receptor.

Arabinogalactan derivatives and uses thereof

In a method for the synthesis of a colloid including a superparamagnetic metal oxide coated with a polymer, an acidic solution of a metal salt and a polymer may be cooled, and then neutralized by the controlled addition of a cool solution of a base, and may then be converted, by the application of heat, to a homogenous superparamagnetic metal oxide colloid. According to a preferred embodiment, the polymer may be a polysaccharide. In a further embodiment of the invention, the polysaccharide may be dextran and the metal salt may be ferrous and ferric salts, which produces, according to the methods of the invention, a superparamagnetic iron oxide colloid with an extended plasma half-life.

Synthesis of polysaccharide covered superparamagnetic oxide colloids

An improvement is provided to a method for obtaining an in vivo MR image of an organ or tissue of an animal or human subject, of the type including administering to the subject as a contrast agent to enhance such MR image an effective amount of a colloid including superparamagnetic metal oxide particles dispersed in a physiologically acceptable carrier. In accordance with the improvement, the method includes preparing the colloid in a manner that provides a reduction in toxicity in comparison with that associated with administration of the colloid after terminal sterilization. The improvement may include sterilizing the colloid by filtration. In an additional embodiment, the colloid may be sterilized by filtration and preserved by lyophilization. The colloid may be lyophilized in the presence of a compatible excipient. The excipient utilized may include a dextran or a citrate anion. Other embodiments include related compositions and methods.

Filter sterilization for production of colloidal, superparamagnetic MR

The invention provides a method of targeting an x-ray contrast agent to a specific population of cells or organ. Targeting may be accomplished by forming a complex of a radiopaque label with a saccharide capable of interacting with a cell receptor. The resulting complex may then be internalized into the specific population of cells or organ by receptor mediated endocytosis. In one embodiment of the invention, the radiopaque label may include a compound containing iodine and the saccharide may include arabinogalactan, galactan, or derivatives thereof. The invention provides a method for determining the metabolic viability or disease state of the target cells or organ by visualizing the extent, mode of uptake and excretion of the targeted x-ray contrast agent by x-ray or computer tomography.

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Walpole, MA, United States of America

Stephen Palmacci