Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd.

Hadasit Medical Research Services and Development Ltd.

Yuval Avnir

Yechezkel Barenholz

Alberto Gabizon

Yaakov Naparstek

Rina Ulmansky

The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid derivative stably encapsulated in a liposome. The glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid derivative is selected from an amphipathic weak base glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid derivative having a pKa equal or below 11 and a logD at pH 7 in the range between &#x2212;2.5 and 1.5; or an amphipathic weak acid GC or GC derivative having a pKa above 3.5 and a logD at pH 7 in the range between &#x2212;2.5 and 1.5. The therapeutic effect of the pharmaceutical composition of the invention was exhibited in vivo with appropriate models of multiple sclerosis and cancer.

Liposomal compositions of glucocorticoid and glucocorticoid derivatives

The present invention provides the use of a glucocorticoid (GC) or of a GC derivative encapsulated in a liposome for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an inflammatory associated condition in a subject, provided that said condition is not associated with a neurodegenerative disease or disorder. A specific use concerns a liposomal formulation comprising methylprednisolone sodium hemisuccinate (MPS) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

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Jerusalem, Israel

Yuval Avnir