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Biotech / Medical : XOMA. Bull or Bear? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Robert K. who wrote (8263)	1/12/1999 2:04:00 PM
From: aknahow	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17367

Bob, another, apparently non novel patent granted today. United States Patent 5,858,974 Little, II, et. al. Jan. 12, 1999 Anti-fungal peptides Abstract The present invention relates generally to anti-fungal peptides derived from or based on Domain III (amino aids 142-169) of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and in vivo or in vitro uses of such peptides. I will not call it non novel if XOMA says otherwise.

To: Robert K. who wrote (8263)	1/13/1999 1:30:00 PM
From: aknahow	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17367

Full text now available on yesterdays patent. Probably not a novel patent and probably not a big market even if discovery eventually makes it to market. Just trying to beat Robert S. <g> BTW eat your heart out. Dogs, cats, horses, fish, PLANTS are all subjects which might benefit from treatment with the discovery. Did I mention surfaces??? "DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the surprising discovery that a Domain III derived peptide has fungicidal activity and can be administered to treat subjects suffering from fungal infection. As used herein, "subject" is meant to refer to higher organisms, including animals (e.g., humans; companion animals such as dogs; livestock such as horses, cows and pigs; poultry; insects; fish; avian species) and plants." SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides novel peptides derived from or based on Domain III (amino acids 142-169) of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and therapeutic uses of such peptides as anti-fungal agents. Peptides of the invention are useful in methods of treating a subject suffering from a fungal infection by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the peptide. This is based on the surprising discovery that Domain III derived peptides have fungicidal/fungistatic effects. A second surprising discovery is that such peptides have LPS-neutralizing activity. This activity provides an additional benefit in the use of peptides of the invention for treating fungal infections. Domain III derived peptides may be administered alone or in conjunction with known anti-fungal agents. When made the subject of adjunctive therapy, the administration of Domain III derived peptides may reduce the amount of anti-fungal agent needed for effective therapy, thus limiting potential toxic response and/or high cost of treatment. Administration of Domain III derived peptides may also enhance the effect of such agents, accelerate the effect of such agents, or reverse resistance of fungi to such agents. Peptides according to the invention include peptides SEQ ID NOS:1-250. In addition, the invention provides a method of killing or inhibiting growth of fungi comprising contacting the fungi with a Domain III derived peptide. This method can be practiced in vivo or in a variety of in vitro uses such as to decontaminate fluids and surfaces and to sterilize surgical and other medical equipment and implantable devices, including prosthetic joints and indwelling invasive devices. A further aspect of the invention involves use of a Domain III derived peptide for the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of fungal infection. The medicament may include, in addition to a Domain III derived peptide, other chemotherapeutic agents such as anti-fungal agents. Numerous additional aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon considering the following detailed description of the invention, which describes the presently preferred embodiments thereof.