The present invention features methods and compositions for the generation and use of conformation-specific antibodies or fragments thereof.

The present invention relates to a peptide that binds specifically to the surface of zirconia, and more particularly, to a peptide conjugate obtained by linking a functional drug to the peptide so as to enable the drug to be securely fixed to the surface of zirconia to thereby maintain the activity of the drug over a long period of time. The zirconia-binding peptide according to the present invention can be securely fixed to the surface of zirconia so that the activity of a physiologically active substance introduced into the peptide can be maintained on the zirconia surface over a long period of time. Thus, the zirconia-binding peptide is useful for surgical regenerative treatment.

Compounds comprising R-G-Cysteic Acid (i.e., R-G-NH—CH(CH.sub.2—SO.sub.3H)COOH or Arg-Gly-NH—CH(CH.sub.2—SO.sub.3H)COOH) and derivatives thereof, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, stereoisomers, multimers, cyclic forms, linear forms, drug-conjugates, pro-drugs and their derivatives. Also disclosed are methods for making and using such compounds including methods for inhibiting cellular adhesion to RGD binding sites or delivering other diagnostic or therapeutic agents to RGD binding sites in human or animal subjects.

Compounds comprising R-G-Cysteic Acid (i.e., R-G-NH—CH(CH.sub.2—SO.sub.3H)COOH or Arg-Gly-NH—CH(CH.sub.2—SO.sub.3H)COOH) and derivatives thereof, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, stereoisomers, multimers, cyclic forms, linear forms, drug-conjugates, pro-drugs and their derivatives. Also disclosed are methods for making and using such compounds including methods for inhibiting cellular adhesion to RGD binding sites or delivering other diagnostic or therapeutic agents to RGD binding sites in human or animal subjects.

Glucagon peptides with increased GIP activity are provided, optionally with GLP-1 and/or glucagon activity. In some embodiments, C-terminally extended glucagon peptides comprising an amino acid sequence substantially similar to native glucagon are provided herein.

Methods and compositions are described for management of the pharmacokinetic properties of active agents, e.g., therapeutic moieties, by conjugating, fusing, or non-direct linkage of the active agent to one or more wild-type or modified heparin-binding peptides (HB). Compounds may be administered to tissues including skin. Contemplated uses include treatment of disease, allergen immunotherapy, and immunization. Other aspects relate to compositions, methods and kits comprising heparin-binding peptides (HB) fused or conjugated to the therapeutic agents.

The present invention relates to methods and other technologies that may be used to determine whether compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising interleukin-10 molecules (e.g., pegylated interleukin-10) meet particular product-related specifications prior to being administered to a subject for the treatment and/or prevention of the diseases, disorders and conditions, and/or the symptoms thereof, described herein.

The invention relates to a method for identifying immunoreactive peptides. According to said method, a sample of tumorous and corresponding healthy tissue is first provided, the tumor-specific expression profile is subsequently determined and antigenic peptides are isolated from the tumorous tissue and analyzed. The respective data that has been obtained is then matched and peptides are identified on the basis of said data.

The invention relates to a method for identifying immunoreactive peptides. According to said method, a sample of tumorous and corresponding healthy tissue is first provided, the tumor-specific expression profile is subsequently determined and antigenic peptides are isolated from the tumorous tissue and analyzed. The respective data that has been obtained is then matched and peptides are identified on the basis of said data.

The present application describes compositions that include an epitope of a peptide that elicits an immune response in a subject following administration. The compositions described herein include nucleic acids. The present application also describes compositions that include peptides. Also described herein are methods that include administering a composition comprising an epitope of a peptide to a subject in need thereof.