A polypeptide porous body of the present invention is a porous body of a polypeptide derived from spider silk proteins. The polypeptide includes a water-insoluble polypeptide. The polypeptide porous body has an apparent density of 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 or less. A method for producing the polypeptide porous body includes: a solution production step in which the polypeptide is dissolved in at least one solvent selected from DMSO, DMF, and these with an inorganic salt, so as to obtain a solution of the polypeptide; a step in which the solution produced in the solution production step is substituted with a water-soluble solvent so as to obtain a polypeptide gel; and a step in which the polypeptide gel is dried. Thereby, the present invention provides a polypeptide porous body having excellent water absorbability and a polypeptide porous body suitable for application to a living body, and a method for producing the same.

The present invention relates to a method for the production of a biopolymer, wherein the biopolymer has a defined average molecular weight, the method comprising lyophylizing a composition comprising the biopolymer with native high molecular weight, optionally purifying and/or isolating the biopolymer; wherein the temperature during the sublimation process is selected to facilitate a controlled and defined degradation of said biopolymer.

The present invention relates to granules comprising an active substance, obtained by spray-drying an emulsion comprising said active substance, solid particles, water and a water-soluble biopolymer having a molecular weight below 100 KDa. The invention further relates to a process for obtaining such granules and to products containing them.

A method for preserving a polypeptide comprising: (a) providing an aqueous solution of (i) the polypeptide, (ii) one or more sugars, and (iii) a compound of formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof and/or a compound of formula (II) or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof; and (b) drying the solution to form a composition incorporating the polypeptide.

The present invention relates to a sprayable formulation comprising live and/or stable bacteria and methods for making such sprayable formulation; in particular in the form of a liquid spray. The invention further relates to the use of this sprayable formulation in human or veterinarian medicine and the use of this sprayable formulation for the prevention and/or treatment of respiratory diseases. The invention further provides methods for the prevention and/or treatment of respiratory diseases.

A two stage reaction platform is provided to produce a pollen-based extract material, comprising the steps of a first stage including: opening and/or germinating pollen grains, reacting the treated pollen grains with one or more beehive components, selected from beeswax, honey, or enzyme-containing material, and stirring to form a jelly; and a second stage including heating the jelly in a closed container to product an extract. The extract may be a fermented extract. An aqueous skin cream includes the pollen-based extract and one or more of glycerine, natural oils, emollients, preservatives, vitamins, fragrance, emulsifiers, or waxes. The skin cream may be used for treatment of skin conditions or inflammation. In another embodiment a method of treating eczema or psoriasis is provided, comprising administering to the individual in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of an aqueous skin cream.

The present invention provides an acid addition salt or a sodium salt of a compound represented by the formula (IA): ##STR00001##
or their hydrate or a stable crystalline solid thereof. The salt or the crystalline solid is extremely useful as an active ingredient for the production of a pharmaceutical product.

Compositions allowing the stimulation of hyaluronic acid synthesis via an increase in has-2 expression and their use in the treatment of conditions related to a decrease in hyaluronic acid synthesis.

The present invention relates to granules comprising an active substance, obtained by spray-drying an emulsion comprising said active substance, solid particles, water and a water-soluble biopolymer having a molecular weight below 100 KDa. The invention further relates to a process for obtaining such granules and to products containing them.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one lactic acid bacterium for use in decreasing the transfer of a pathogenic microorganism between a surface of a first subject and a surface of a second subject.