The targeted delivery of growth factors, vasoactive peptides and other representative anabolic peptide drugs from different signaling cascades to bone fracture for accelerated healing is disclosed herein.

The present invention provides methods of producing thrombin using coordinated coexpression systems, and particularly inducible coexpression systems, capable of controlled induction of expression of each gene product required for the production of thrombin.

An isolated peptide of up to 6 amino acids comprising an amino acid sequence which inhibits binding of an endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) ligand to the EPCR is disclosed. Also disclosed is an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence which inhibits binding of an endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) ligand to the EPCR, wherein the peptide comprises a modification in at least one amino acid. Also disclosed is a molecule comprising an amino acid sequence which inhibits binding of an endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) ligand to the EPCR attached to a heterologous moiety. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also disclosed.

The present invention provides host cells for use in an inducible coexpression system that is capable of controlled induction of expression of each gene product.

he disclosure relates to the engineering of collagen-binding modification of masked therapeutic agents comprising one or more tumor-associated protease cleavage sites. Upon exposure to tumor-associated proteases in the tumor microenvironment, the polypeptide is cleaved, which unmasks the therapeutic agent, reducing off-target side effects and toxicity associated with systemic administration. Accordingly, aspects of the disclosure relate to a polypeptide comprising a therapeutic agent linked to a masking agent through a linker, wherein the linker comprises one or more tumor-associated protease cleavage sites, and wherein the masking agent blocks the association of the therapeutic agent to its therapeutic target, and further wherein the polypeptide is operatively linked to a collagen binding domain or a tumor-targeting agent.

The present disclosure describes improved SELEX methods for producing aptamers that are capable of binding to target molecules and improved photoSELEX methods for producing photoreactive aptamers that are capable of both binding and covalently crosslinking to target molecules. Specifically, the present disclosure describes methods for producing aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than are obtained using prior SELEX and photoSELEX methods. The disclosure further describes aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than those obtained using prior methods. In addition, the disclosure describes aptamer constructs that include a variety of functionalities, including a cleavable element, a detection element, and a capture or immobilization element.

Provided are methods for lyophilization of an aqueous thrombin solution, thrombin solutions for use in such lyophilization methods, and solid thrombin compositions produced by such methods.

The present invention is an inducible coexpression system, capable of controlled induction of expression of each gene product.

The present invention is directed to compounds, methods for stabilizing thrombin activity with a thrombin binding oligonucleotide and to stabilized thrombin. The thrombin binding oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting thrombin activity whereby the inhibition can be reversed with an antisense oligonucleotide.

Provided is a method for purifying α-thrombin and for quantifying α-thrombin and its degradation polypeptides in a liquid proteinatious solution. The method employs a one-step anion exchange chromatography method. The method allows purification and/or quantification of a homogenous post-translationally modified α-thrombin. The method can also be used for purification and/or quantification of β-thrombin.