The present invention provides a microparticle comprising at least one biocompatible polymer, the microparticle encapsulating at least one nanoparticle, the nanoparticle comprising: (i) a core comprising a metal and/or a semiconductor; and (ii) a corona comprising a plurality of ligands covalently linked to the core, wherein said ligands comprise at least one carbohydrate and/or glutathione. The nanoparticle may additionally comprise a biologically active agent or detectable label covalently linked or non-covalently bound to said corona and/or said core. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the microparticles, processes for their production and uses of the microparticles in methods of therapy.

Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

The invention provides compositions for oral delivery and methods of treatment using VSP carriers, such as Giardia sp. variable surface proteins (VSP), to deliver therapeutic agents. VSP drug carriers can be combined with bioactive peptides, e.g., insulin, glucagon, or hGH, and be administered orally or mucosally. VSP carriers are resistant to acidic pHs and to proteolytic degradation and protect therapeutic agents from degradation in the gastrointestinal tract.

The invention provides compositions for oral delivery and methods of treatment using VSP carriers, such as Giardia sp. variable surface proteins (VSP), to deliver therapeutic agents. VSP drug carriers can be combined with bioactive peptides, e.g., insulin, glucagon, or hGH, and be administered orally or mucosally. VSP carriers are resistant to acidic pHs and to proteolytic degradation and protect therapeutic agents from degradation in the gastrointestinal tract.

A solid dosage form for injection and a method of making said dosage form wherein the dosage form has a moisture content of 5% (w/w) or less. The solid dosage form comprises a dried matrix including a first excipient and 0.01 to 50 (w/w) or more than 50% and up to 80% (w/w) of a therapeutic peptide; and one or more additional excipients and at least 5% (w/w) of CMC, based on the total weight of the solid dosage form, wherein the dosage form has a width of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

A solid dosage form for injection and a method of making said dosage form wherein the dosage form has a moisture content of 5% (w/w) or less. The solid dosage form comprises a dried matrix including a first excipient and 0.01 to 50 (w/w) or more than 50% and up to 80% (w/w) of a therapeutic peptide; and one or more additional excipients and at least 5% (w/w) of CMC, based on the total weight of the solid dosage form, wherein the dosage form has a width of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

Disclosed are antigen-binding molecules that antagonize one or more functions of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) as well as methods of their manufacture and use. Applications are also disclosed in which these antagonist antigen-binding molecules are used in compositions and methods for treating or inhibiting the development of conditions associated with activation of the RANK ligand (RANKL)/RANK signaling pathway, for stimulating or augmenting immunity, for inhibiting the development or progression of immunosuppression or tolerance to a tumor and for inhibiting the development, progression or recurrence of cancer.

Disclosed are antigen-binding molecules that antagonize one or more functions of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) as well as methods of their manufacture and use. Applications are also disclosed in which these antagonist antigen-binding molecules are used in compositions and methods for treating or inhibiting the development of conditions associated with activation of the RANK ligand (RANKL)/RANK signaling pathway, for stimulating or augmenting immunity, for inhibiting the development or progression of immunosuppression or tolerance to a tumor and for inhibiting the development, progression or recurrence of cancer.

Provided herein are methods for treating osteoporosis and increasing bone mass density, that includes administering once a day, for about 5 minutes, a transdermal patch loaded with about 300 μg of abaloparatide, and ZnCl.sub.2 at a molar ratio of 2.2:1 of ZnCl.sub.2:abaloparatide. Also provided are the single-use transdermal patches loaded with about 300 μg of abaloparatide, and ZnCl.sub.2 at a molar ratio of 2.2:1 of ZnCl.sub.2:abaloparatide.