Compositions comprising fetal hemoglobin and bacterial endotoxin and optionally additional fetal liver components

US7968103B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Otto Westphal · Göteborg, SE
• Thierry Walli · Montreux, CH
• Reginald M. Gorczynski · Willowdale, CA
• Silke Muller · Schönborn, DE
• Jean-Pierre Mach · Bellevue, CH
• Alfred Hartman · Küsnacht (ZH), CH
• Wolfgang Bessler · Offenburg, DE
• Petra Hofmann · Regensburg, DE
• Ulrich Zähringer · Kellinghusen, DE
• Christian Alexander · Kellinghusen, DE
• Ulrich vor dem Esche · Glückstadt, DE
• Artur J. Ulmer · Nienwohld, DE
• Antonio S. Verdini · Monterotondo, IT

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 18, 2004
• Grant date: Jun 28, 2011
• Expiry date: Jul 6, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61P43/00
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition representing a novel immunomodulating principle comprising bacterial endotoxin, fetal hemoglobin or more particularly a heme-free derivative or the γ-chain thereof, and optionally, components which are present in the fetal liver in addition to HbF. The composition is delivered to humans in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent. In accordance with the present invention it was surprisingly found that endotoxin and fetal hemoglobin partial structures display a pronounced synergistic biomedical activity. The biomedical effect of fetal hemoglobin and its partial structures is surprisingly not based on a classical hemoglobin function as an oxygen transporter but related to a modulation of endotoxin-mediated bioactivity. This biomedical activity is surprisingly also observed after oral application of the composition. The composition of the invention finds a variety of applications which have in common the stimulation of the immune system and the reversion in polarization of cytokines and chemokines from a Th2-directed response to a Th1-type response. The proposed applications would therefore include the treatment…