Conjugates of porphyrin, chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll photosensitizers with RGD-containing peptides or RGD peptidomimetics are provided that are useful for photodynamic therapy (PDT), particularly vascular-targeted PDT (VTP), of tumors and nonneoplastic vascular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, and for diagnosis of tumors by different techniques.

The invention relates to a method for in vitro investigating mitochondrial replication dysfunction in a biological sample removed from a subject susceptible of suffering from physiological ageing or physiopathological conditions related to physiological ageing, or physiopathological ageing or associated symptoms or conditions, in particular premature ageing or accelerated ageing, or of a progeroid syndrome, such as Cockayne syndrome (CS), or neurodegenerative disorders or symptoms thereof, in which the levels of at least one species selected in the group of: POLG1 protein, POLG1 RNA, POLG2 protein, protease(s) which have POLG as a target, in particular serine protease(s) such as HTRA3 protein, HTRA2 protein and, HTRA3 RNA or HTRA2 RNA, or any combination of these species, are investigated. The invention also relates to kits and uses thereof, therapeutic methods against progeroid-like syndromes or symptomes and screening method for identifying particular protease inhibitor(s) and/or nitroso-redox stress scavenger compound(s) having relevance for the symptoms discussed herein.

Excessive deposition of extracellular matrix is a hallmark of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), it is advantageous to target the cells and the mechanisms associated with this process. By targeting myofibroblasts (specialized contractile fibroblasts) that are key for the development of IPF with drugs conjugated with fibroblast activation protein (FAP), this technology helps minimize the production of extracellular matrix in the lungs and provides a new treatment option for patients diagnosed with IPF.

The invention relates generally to hybrid amebocyte lysate compositions (including both native and recombinant components) and their use in detecting and/or quantifying endotoxin in a sample.

A horseshoe crab Factor C protein having activity of Factor C, wherein the horseshoe crab is selected from Tachypleus tridentatus, Limulus polyphemus, and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, and wherein the horseshoe crab Factor C protein is produced through being recombinantly expressed from a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) DG44 cell or HEK cell.

A horseshoe crab Factor C protein having activity of Factor C, wherein the horseshoe crab is selected from Tachypleus tridentatus, Limulus polyphemus, and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, and wherein the horseshoe crab Factor C protein is produced through being recombinantly expressed from a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) DG44 cell or HEK cell.

A method for measuring endotoxin in a test specimen, the method, comprising mixing an endotoxin assay agent and the test specimen, and measuring progress of a cascade reaction, wherein the endotoxin assay agent comprises a horseshoe crab Factor C recombinant protein having activity of Factor C and a detection substrate, under the conditions specified.

Excessive deposition of extracellular matrix is a hallmark of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); it is advantageous to target the cells and the mechanisms associated with this process. By targeting myofibroblasts (specialized contractile fibroblasts) that are key for the development of IPF with drugs conjugated with fibroblast activation protein (FAP), this technology helps minimize the production of extracellular matrix in the lungs and provides a new treatment option for patients diagnosed with IPF.

Methods for quantifying the amount of drug present in a prodrug composition are provided.

The invention relates to a method for in vitro investigating mitochondrial replication dysfunction in a biological sample removed from a subject susceptible of suffering from physiological ageing or physiopathological conditions related to physiological ageing, or physiopathological ageing or associated symptoms or conditions, in particular premature ageing or accelerated ageing, or of a progeroid syndrome, such as Cockayne syndrome (CS), or neurodegenerative disorders or symptoms thereof, in which the levels of at least one species selected in the group of: POLG1 protein, POLG1 RNA, POLG2 protein, protease(s) which have POLG as a target, in particular serine protease(s) such as HTRA3 protein, HTRA2 protein and, HTRA3 RNA or HTRA2 RNA, or any combination of these species, are investigated. The invention also relates to kits and uses thereof, therapeutic methods against progeroid-like syndromes or symptoms and screening method for identifying particular protease inhibitor(s) and/or nitroso-redox stress scavenger compound(s) having relevance for the symptoms discussed herein.