The present invention relates to antigen binding molecules (ABMs). In particular embodiments, the present invention relates to recombinant monoclonal antibodies, including chimeric, primatized or humanized antibodies specific for human CD20. In addition, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such ABMs, and vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to methods for producing the ABMs of the invention, and to methods of using these ABMs in treatment of disease. In addition, the present invention relates to ABMs with modified glycosylation having improved therapeutic properties, including antibodies with increased Fc receptor binding and increased effector function.

(Objective) An objective of the present invention is to provide therapeutic agents that, in association with stimulation of PDGFRα-positive cells such as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, promote their mobilization into blood and accumulation in a damaged tissue, and induce tissue regeneration in a living body.

(Means for solution) Multiple peptides were synthesized, and the migration-promoting activity of each peptide was evaluated. As a result, the present inventors successfully identified multiple peptides that have migration-promoting activity on a PDGFRα-positive bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell line (MSC-1). Further, the present inventors confirmed that the identified peptides also have migration-promoting activity on skin fibroblasts, which are PDGFRα-positive cells.

The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) AA-AA-AA-R.sub.1—R.sub.2 (I) wherein, in any order, 2 of said AA (amino acid) moieties are cationic amino acids and 1 of said AA is an amino acid with a lipophilic R group, the R group having 14-27 non-hydrogen atoms; R.sub.1 is a N atom, which may be substituted by a branched or unbranched C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl or aryl group, which group may incorporate up to 2 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and R.sub.2 is an aliphatic moiety having 2-20 non-hydrogen atoms, said moiety being linear, branched or cyclic. The invention further relates to formulations containing these compounds, solid supports having these compounds attached thereto, the use of these compounds in therapy, particularly as antimicrobial, anti-tumour or anti-biofilm agents and non-therapeutic uses of these compounds, particularly their use in inhibiting biofilm formation or removing a biofilm.

The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides vaccine nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells, in some embodiments, comprising at least one immunomodulatory agent, and optionally comprising at least one targeting moiety and optionally at least one immunostimulatory agent. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive vaccine nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive vaccine nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The invention provides methods of prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions comprising administering at least one inventive vaccine nanocarrier to a subject in need thereof.

Heterocyclic entities that modulate PI3 kinase activity, pharmaceutical compositions containing the heterocyclic entities, and methods of using these chemical entities for treating diseases and conditions associated with PI3 kinase activity are described herein.

The present invention is concerned with a protein oligomer comprising (i) at least two NC-monomers of collagen 18 or (ii) at least two endostatin domains of collagen 18 or (iii) at least two N-terminal peptides of the collagen 18 endostatin domain, for use in treating, ameliorating or preventing fibrosis or a fibrosis-associated disease, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-related disease or a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-related disease. The invention further relates to the mentioned protein oligomer for use for detecting and/or diagnosing fibrosis or a fibrosis-associated disease, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-related disease or a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-related disease.

Polypeptides derived from fibronectin are presented that are neutrophil elastase-resistant and can bind to growth factors and/or enhance growth factor activity. These polypeptides are useful for enhancing wound healing in a patient.

Polypeptides derived from fibronectin are presented that are neutrophil elastase-resistant and can bind to growth factors and/or enhance growth factor activity. These polypeptides are useful for enhancing wound healing in a patient.

The present invention provides a compound, a salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof as a compound effective for preventing and/or treating fibrosis, the compound being represented by formula (1) ##STR00001##
(wherein A is an optionally substituted benzene ring; B is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl; X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; Y is a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom; of Y is a single or double bond when Y is a carbon atom, or of Y is a single bond when Y is a nitrogen atom; each R.sup.1 independently represents lower alkyl, or two R.sup.1s may be bound to each other to form a spiro ring or a crosslinked structure, or two R.sup.1s may be bound to each other to form a saturated fused heterocycle together with nitrogen and carbon atoms constituting a ring containing Y; p is 0, 1, or 2; or (R.sup.1).sub.p is oxo).

Disclosed are a fibrinogen solution and a thrombin solution. The fibrinogen solution comprises fibrinogen at a concentration of at least 40 mg/ml, factor XIII, pharmaceutically acceptable additives and water. The dynamic viscosity of the fibrinogen solution measured at 20° C. increases at most by 35% after storing the solution at 20° C. for 30 days. The thrombin solution comprises thrombin, pharmaceutically acceptable additives and water. The thrombin activity decreases at most by 15% after storing the solution at 25° C. for 14 days. Also disclosed is a fibrin sealant kit with a first container comprising the fibrinogen solution and a second container comprising the thrombin solution. Further, methods for preparing a fibrin sealant and methods for treating a wound are disclosed.