A quaternary ammonium compound represented by the following formula (1):

[(R1).sub.m(R2).sub.4-mN.sup.+].sub.nX.sup.n(1)

wherein each R1 independently represents an unsubstituted alkyl group or substituted alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms; an aralkyl group where an unsubstituted alkyl group or substituted alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms is substituted with at least one aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms; or an alkylaryl group where an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms is substituted with at least one unsubstituted alkyl group or substituted alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms;

each R2 independently represents a group having 2 to 60 carbon atoms and 2 to 30 oxygen atoms, the group represented by the following formula:

(RO)k-H, wherein R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group and k represents a natural number of 2 or more.

A metal-EDTA compound/complex for combatting biofilms and/or treating wounds. The compound/complex comprises EDTA and from two to four metal ions. Of those two to four metal ions, at least two are different metal ions selected from Ag, Al, Au, Ba, Bi, Tl, Ce, Co, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ir, Mo, Rh, Ru, Ti, and Zn ions. The metal-EDTA compound/complex may exhibit any one or more of anti-microbial, anti-biofilm and anti-inflammatory activities in use and may increase the susceptibility of a biofilm and the microorganisms within said biofilm to attack by anti-microbial agents, helping to remove and sanitise the biofilm. A composition, wound dressing and medical device comprising the metal-EDTA complex are also provided. Uses of the metal-EDTA compound/complex as a medicament and/or to sanitise and/or substantially remove a biofilm from a substrate are also disclosed.

It is provided a compound of formula (I); wherein R.sup.5 is selected from the group consisting of H, OM, COOM, NH.sub.2, SO.sub.3M, (C.sub.1-C.sub.4)alkyl, and halogen; and A is a radical having at least 3 C atoms selected from the group consisting of: i) a radical of formula (i) wherein R.sup.7 is selected from the group consisting of OM, and COOM, and n is 0, 1 or 2; and ii) a radical of formula (ii) or of formula (iii) wherein R.sup.8 is selected from the group consisting of H, (C.sub.1-C.sub.4)alkyl; and wherein M is independently selected from the group consisting of H, an alkaly metal, and NH.sub.4.sup.+. It is also provided a process for the preparation thereof, a composition comprising it, and its use for correcting deficiencies of metals in plants.

##STR00001##

It is provided a compound of formula (I); wherein R.sup.5 is selected from the group consisting of H, OM, COOM, NH.sub.2, SO.sub.3M, (C.sub.1-C.sub.4)alkyl, and halogen; and A is a radical having at least 3 C atoms selected from the group consisting of: i) a radical of formula (i) wherein R.sup.7 is selected from the group consisting of OM, and COOM, and n is 0, 1 or 2; and ii) a radical of formula (ii) or of formula (iii) wherein R.sup.8 is selected from the group consisting of H, (C.sub.1-C.sub.4)alkyl; and wherein M is independently selected from the group consisting of H, an alkaly metal, and NH.sub.4.sup.+. It is also provided a process for the preparation thereof, a composition comprising it, and its use for correcting deficiencies of metals in plants.

##STR00001##

The invention describes hydrosoluble iron (III) oxyhydroxide complexes prepared from different sources of iron, amino acids and carboxylic acids. The iron (III) complexes have no undesirable residual taste and can be used as supplementation forms for the prevention or treatment of iron deficiency anemia in humans or animals and pharmaceutical or food compositions containing them.

The invention describes hydrosoluble iron (III) oxyhydroxide complexes prepared from different sources of iron, amino acids and carboxylic acids. The iron (III) complexes have no undesirable residual taste and can be used as supplementation forms for the prevention or treatment of iron deficiency anemia in humans or animals and pharmaceutical or food compositions containing them.

There is disclosed a process for the production of brivaracetam by converting an intermediate of the formula:

##STR00001##

to an intermediate of the formula:

##STR00002##

and then to brivaracetam; wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkali, alkaline earth metal, alkyl, and a mixture thereof.

There is disclosed a process for the production of brivaracetam by converting an intermediate of the formula:

##STR00001##

to an intermediate of the formula:

##STR00002##

and then to brivaracetam; wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkali, alkaline earth metal, alkyl, and a mixture thereof.

Bismuth-containing compounds include bismuth and a biologically active agent coordinated to the bismuth. The biologically active agent includes at least one heteroatom configured for coordination with the bismuth. Coordination polymers include a polymer matrix that contains a bismuth-containing compound. Methods for modulating a pharmacokinetic property of a biologically active agent include coordinating the biologically active agent to bismuth to form a bismuth-containing compound, and administering the bismuth-containing compound orally to a patient. Methods for treating Parkinson's disease, methods for treating hypothyroidism, methods for treating ulcerative colitis, and methods for treating cancer each include administering a bismuth-containing compound to a patient.

Bismuth-containing compounds include bismuth and a biologically active agent coordinated to the bismuth. The biologically active agent includes at least one heteroatom configured for coordination with the bismuth. Coordination polymers include a polymer matrix that contains a bismuth-containing compound. Methods for modulating a pharmacokinetic property of a biologically active agent include coordinating the biologically active agent to bismuth to form a bismuth-containing compound, and administering the bismuth-containing compound orally to a patient. Methods for treating Parkinson's disease, methods for treating hypothyroidism, methods for treating ulcerative colitis, and methods for treating cancer each include administering a bismuth-containing compound to a patient.