The present invention relates to particularly stable and soluble scFv antibodies and Fab fragments specific for TNF, which comprise specific light chain and heavy chain sequences that are optimized for stability, solubility, in vitro and in vivo binding of TNF, and low immunogenicity. The antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of TNF-mediated disorders. The nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of the antibodies in medicine are also described.

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations of phospholipids, and in particular pharmaceutical formulations which are administered intravascularly such as intravenously. In particular, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for intravascular administration comprising phosphatidylcholine derived compounds carrying an omega-3 fatty acid for use in prophylaxis or therapy.

Required are: a compound having high affinity for an emopamil binding protein; and a method for activating or inhibiting the emopamil binding protein, using such a compound. According to the present invention, provided is an emopamil binding protein binding agent comprising an alkyl ether derivative represented by the following formula [1] or a salt thereof: ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which are the same or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, etc.; R.sup.3 represents an optionally protected hydroxyl group, etc.; and m and n, which are the same or different, each represent an integer of 1 to 6.

Cranial placodes are embryonic structures essential for sensory and endocrine organ development. The efficient derivation of cranial placodes from human pluripotent stem cells is disclosed where the timed removal of the BMP inhibitor Noggin, a component of the dual-SMAD inhibition strategy of neural induction, triggers placode induction at the expense of CNS fates. Further fate specification at the pre-placode stage enables the selective generation of placode-derived trigeminal ganglia capable of in vivo engraftment, mature lens fibers and anterior pituitary hormone-producing cells that upon transplantation produce hormones including, but not limited to, human growth hormone and adrenocortiocotropic hormone in vivo. Alternatively, anterior pituitary hormone-producing cells are generated in cell culture systems in vitro.

The invention provides compositions or pharmaceutical compositions of novel high penetration compositions (HPC) of a parent compound, which are capable of crossing biological barriers with high penetration efficiency. The HPCs are capable of being converted to parent drugs or parent drug-related compounds such as metabolites after crossing one or more biological barriers and thus can render treatments for the conditions that the parent drugs or parent drug-related compounds can. Additionally, the HPCs are capable of reaching areas that their parent drugs or parent drug-related compounds may not be able to access or to render a sufficient concentration at the target areas and therefore render novel treatments. For example, HPCs of NSAIA have demonstrated indications such as treating hair loss and bold. A HPC can be administered to a subject through various administration routes, e.g., locally delivered to an action site of a condition with a high concentration or systematically administered to a biological subject and enter the general circulation with a faster rate.

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising fixed dose combinations of a DPP-4 inhibitor drug and/or a SGLT-2 inhibitor drug, and metformin XR, processes for the preparation thereof, and their use to treat certain diseases.

A compound having Nrf2-activating action is provided. The compound is represented by formula (I), a salt of the compound, or a solvate of the compound or salt:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1a and R.sup.1b are identical or different and represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom; R.sup.2 represents an optionally substituted group derived from a heterocycle, and the heterocycle represents thiophene, furan, pyrrole, thiazole, or a fused ring including any of these heterocycles; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are identical or different and represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 bind with each other to form —NH—CH—N—; R.sup.6 represents an optionally substituted alkyl group; A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3, and A.sup.4 are identical or different and represent CH or N wherein the number of N is 1 or less; and Z represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to use of a GP73 inhibitor in preparation of a drug for treating diabetes. In the embodiments of the present invention, the inventor finds that GP73 plays a key role in blood glucose regulation, and in particular, finds that soluble GP73 can specifically bind to glucagon to form a complex, enhances the blood glucose-rising function and gluconeogenesis function of glucagon and prolongs the half-life of glucagon; and finds soluble GP73 can activate the glucose production in liver and/or kidney and a gluconeogenesis signaling pathway in a glucagon-independent manner. Based on the blood glucose regulation effect of the GP73 described above, the inventor also proves through animal experiments: the GP73 inhibitor can reduce the blood glucose level and glycated hemoglobin level of diabetic mice and have a protective effect on islet β cells, and thereby having the effect of treating diabetes.

The present invention provides a method of treating an ocular condition in an eye of a patient, comprising the step of placing a biodegradable intraocular implant in an eye of the patient, the implant comprising a prostamide and a biodegradable polymer matrix that releases drug at a rate effective to sustain release of an amount of the prostamide from the implant to provide an amount of the prostamide effective to prevent or reduce a symptom of an ocular condition of the eye, wherein said ocular condition is elevated IOP and said implant is placed in an intracameral location to dilate the outflow channels of the eye emanating from Schlemm's Canal.

The present invention provides for the treatment, prevention, and/or reduction of a risk of a disease, disorder, or condition in which aldehyde toxicity is implicated in the pathogenesis, including ocular disorders, skin disorders, conditions associated with injurious effects from blister agents, and autoimmune, inflammatory, neurological and cardiovascular diseases by the use of a primary amine to scavenge toxic aldehydes, such as MDA and HNE.