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The design of molecules with a high degree of valency can be useful for receptor clustering, T-cell recruiting, agonist activation, and half-life extension. Although this is traditionally accomplished using polymer-based molecular scaffolds, biocompatibility and the fate of polymer by-products are often of concern. Multivalent, self-assembling scaffolds such as ferritin, a ubiquitous protein found in most human cell types in addition to invertebrates, higher plants, fungi and bacteria, offer an attractive "natural" alternative to polymer-based scaffolds. In mammals, ferritins are composed of 24 subunits that form an icosahedron with an external hydrodynamic radius of 6 nm, and an overall molar mass of approximately 474 kDa, depending on the biological tissue from which it is derived. The utility of molecular cages, such as ferritin and its derivatives for applications in drug delivery, is well-known. Here, we describe the design, production, and characterization of a multimeric ferritin-antibody fragment conjugate. Following optimization of the conjugation strategy using LC-MS, in-depth characterization was performed using SEC-MALS-QELS. The combined results of this study confirmed that Ferritin-Fab conjugates were successfully generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examples of pharmaceutical products employing ZORBAX SB-Phenyl Rapid Resolution High Throughput (RRHT) columns are shown. SB-Phenyl possesses useful selectivity for compounds containing phenyl-type moieties. Using RRHT columns, several combinations of stationary and mobile phase were quickly investigated to determine the best selectivity and resolution for analgesics and steroids. In both cases, ZORBAX SB-Phenyl yielded excellent peak shape in acetonitrile, but in methanol even more selectivity was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the launch of a reformulation of a prostaglandin analog for glaucoma, which was approved for the treatment of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes. The bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% was introduced on April 2, 2009 in a national satellite program broadcast to 34 cities. The event, which drew over 1,000 physicians from various disciplines, was hosted by Advanstar Communications through the support of Allergan.

The article reports on effectiveness of analog GRL-02031, one of several variations on the new drug Darunavir in combating the multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of human immunodeficiency virus. The analogs could be a prototype for a new class of medicines that address the tendency of AIDS drugs to lose effectiveness when HIV mutates into MDR forms.