Compounds are provided that are useful as immunomodulators. The compounds have the following Formula (II):

##STR00001##

including stereoisomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2a, R.sup.2b, R.sup.2c, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6a, R.sup.6b, m and n are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, are also disclosed.

The present invention provides polypeptide modulators of complement activity, including cyclic polypeptide modulators. Also provided are methods of utilizing such modulators as therapeutics.

The invention relates to the field of prophylaxis and therapy of cancer. Provided is a Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) or peptide fragments hereof that are capable of eliciting anti-cancer immune responses. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of IDO or peptides derived herefrom or IDO specific T-cells for treatment of cancer. The invention thus relates to an anti-cancer vaccine which optionally may be used in combination with other immunotherapies and to IDO specific T-cells adoptively transferred or induced in vivo by vaccination as a treatment of cancer. The invention also provides that the medicaments herein provided may be used in combination with cancer chemotherapy treatment. The invention further provides the prophylaxis and therapy of infections by the same means as described above. The use of IDO and immunogenic peptide fragments hereof in cancer and infection treatment, diagnosis and prognosis is also provided.

The invention provides compositions or pharmaceutical compositions of novel high penetration compositions (HPC) of a parent compound, which are capable of crossing biological barriers with high penetration efficiency. The HPCs are capable of being converted to parent drugs or parent drug-related compounds such as metabolites after crossing one or more biological barriers and thus can render treatments for the conditions that the parent drugs or parent drug-related compounds can. Additionally, the HPCs are capable of reaching areas that their parent drugs or parent drug-related compounds may not be able to access or to render a sufficient concentration at the target areas and therefore render novel treatments. For example, HPCs of NSAIA have demonstrated indications such as treating hair loss and bold. A HPC can be administered to a subject through various administration routes, e.g., locally delivered to an action site of a condition with a high concentration or systematically administered to a biological subject and enter the general circulation with a faster rate.

The invention relates to novel benzodiazepine derivatives with antiproliferative activity and more specifically to novel benzodiazepine compounds of formula (I)-(VI). The invention also provides conjugates of the benzodiazepine compounds linked to a cell-binding agent. The invention further provides compositions and methods useful for inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating a proliferative disorder in a mammal using the compounds or conjugates of the invention.

The subject matter described herein is directed to methods of preparing certain antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) wherein the antibody is linked to the drug through a linker, wherein the drug contains a heteroaryl group having a secondary nitrogen, and the linker is attached to the drug via the secondary nitrogen. The resulting conjugates are useful in treating various diseases and conditions.

The present invention concerns an E. coli strains expressing high level of α-Gal, in particular selected in the group consisting of E. coli Nissle 1917 strain, E. coli O111 strain, E. coli O86:B7 strain, and mixture thereof, as a probiotic and/or feed additive and/or oral vaccine in a non-human animal, in particular fish and poultry, to prevent and/or reduce an infectious disease caused by a pathogen expressing α-Gal on its surface.

The present invention provides a controlled release formulation comprising a silicone substrate which comprises a compound of Formula (I): AA-AA-AA-X—Y. The invention further provides methods of making these formulations, medical devices such as dressings incorporating said formulations and medical uses thereof.

The invention relates to a RNA interference triggers for inhibiting the expression of an AAT gene through the mechanism of RNA interference. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the AAT RNAi trigger together with an excipient capable of improving delivery of the RNAi trigger to a liver cell in vivo. Delivery of the AAT RNAi trigger to liver cells in vivo provides for inhibition of AAT gene expression and treatment of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and associated diseases.

Described herein are silicon based conjugates capable of delivering one or more payload moieties to a target cell or tissue. Contemplated conjugates may include a silicon-heteroatom core, one or more optional catalytic moieties, a targeting moiety that permits accumulation of the conjugate within a target cell or tissue, one or more payload moieties (e.g., a therapeutic agent or imaging agent), and two or more non-interfering moieties covalently bound to the silicon-heteroatom core.