AU724326B2

AU724326B2 - Peptide prodrugs containing an alpha-hydroxyacid linker

Info

Publication number: AU724326B2
Application number: AU41994/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Arne Holm; Bjarne Due Larsen
Original assignee: Zealand Pharma AS
Current assignee: Zealand Pharma AS
Priority date: 1996-09-09
Filing date: 1997-09-09
Publication date: 2000-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-09
Also published as: IL128828A0; CA2265454A1; JP2001505872A; EP0932614A1; WO1998011126A1; AU4199497A; KR20000036015A; NZ334595A

Description

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 1 PEPTIDE PRODRUGS CONTAINING AN ALPHA-HYDROXYACID LINKER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to prodrugs of pharmaceutically active peptides having reduced tendency towards hydrolysis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There exist a large number of pharmaceutically active peptides, e.g. naturally occurring in man or in animals, or synthetic analogues of such peptides. An illustrative example of such a peptide is the analgetically active peptide enkephalin which has given rise to a vast number of synthetic analogues.

However, due to precisely their peptide nature, the routes of administration thereof have been rather limited. Thus, peptides are rapidly and very effectively degraded by enzymes, generally with half-lives in the range of minutes. Proteases and other proteolytic enzymes are ubiquitous, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, therefore peptides are usually susceptible to degradation in multiple sites upon oral administration, and to some extent in the blood, the liver, the kidney, and the vascular endothelia. Furthermore, a given peptide is usually susceptible to degradation at more than one linkage within the backbone; each locus of hydrolysis is mediated by a certain protease.

There have been a number of attempts at protecting peptides against premature degradation, such as by modification of the peptide structure, co-administration of protease inhibitors, or special formulation strategies, but they have only been met with limited success.

2 Summary of the Invention It has now surprisingly been found that by equipping a pharmaceutically active peptide, at its Cterminal, with a suitable bioreversible amino acid pre-sequence, it is possible to render the peptide significantly less susceptible to degradation by proteases. Without being bound to any specific model for this effect, it is believed that the presence of the pre-sequence induces a degree of structuring of a helix-like nature of the pharmaceutically active peptide, whereby the peptide is less susceptible to proteases in contrast to peptides in the random-coil conformation. As a result of the structuring, the peptide is much more difficult for a protease to degrade. The bioreversible property of the presequence is obtained by linking the peptide and the pre-sequence by means of a linking group bound to the peptide in a manner different from a normal peptide bond.

Thus, the invention concerns compounds which have the general formula I X-L-Z I wherein X is a peptide sequence bound to L at the C-terminal carbonyl function of X; L is a linking group comprising from 3-9 backbone atoms, wherein the bond between the C-terminal carbonyl of X and L is different from an C-N amide bond; and Z is a peptide sequence of 2- 20 amino acid units and bound to L at the N-terminal nitrogen atom of Z, each amino acid unit being S independently selected from Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, Met, Orn, and amino acid units of the formula II

-NH-C(R

3

(R

4

II

wherein R 3 and R 4 independently are selected from Ci--alkyl, phenyl, and phenyl-methyl, wherein Ci- 6-alkyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, S amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, and phenyl and phenyl-methyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from Cie-alkyl, C2.6-alkenyl, halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, or R 3 and R 4 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a 2 cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring; or a salt thereof; with the proviso that the compound

H

NH CO-Thr-Phe-Asp-Leu-Lys-NH 2 Ac-Cys-Tyr-Ser-Thr-Gly-Cys-Val-Arg-Ala-OCHz-, I I

S

is not encompassed by formula The present invention also relates to the use of a prodrug of the general formula I in therapy, and the use of a prodrug of the general formula I in the preparation of a composition for use in therapy, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a prodrug of the general formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an immobilised linker-peptide sequence Prot- -Z-SSM, where L designates a linker of the general formula -O-C(R 1

)(R

2 wherein R 1 and R 2 [I:\DayLib\LIBZ]05166.doc:BAV independently is H, C1-6-alkyl, C2-6-alkenyl, aryl, aryl-C1-4-alkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaryl-Cl-4-alkyl, or

R

1 and R 2 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring, where an alkyl or alkenyl group may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from amino, cyano, halogen, isocyano, isothiocyano, thiocyano, sulfamyl, C1-4alkylthio, mono- or di-C 1 ~4-alkyl-amino, hydroxy, C1-4-alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, carboxy, C 14 alkoxycarbonyl, C14-alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-C-4-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-C1-4-alkyl-amino, mono- or di-C1-4-alkyl-amino-C1 4 -alkyl, C1-4-alkylcarbonylamino, sulfono, and sulfino, and where an aryl or a heteroaryl group may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from C1-4-alkyl, C2-4-alkenyl, nitro, amino, cyano, halogen, isocyano, isothiocyano, thiocyano, sulfamyl, C-4-alkylthio, mono-or di-C1-4-alkyl-amino, hydroxy, C-4-alkoxy, aryloxy, carboxy, C1- 4 alkoxycarbonyl, C-4-alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-C14-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-C-4-alkyl-amino, mono- or di-C-4-alkyl-amino-C 1 4 -alkyl, C1-4-alkylcarbonylamino, sulfono, and o• sulfino; Z designates a peptide sequence comprising 2-20 amino acid units, each amino acid unit S being independently selected from Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, Met, Orn, *i and amino acid units of the formula II

-NH-C(R

3

(R

4

II

wherein R3 and R 4 independently are selected from Ci 6 alkyl, phenyl, and phenyl-methyl, wherein C16- S alkyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, and phenyl and phenyl-methyl is optionally substituted with s o2 from one to three substituents selected from C1-6-alkyl, C2-6-alkenyl, halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, 00 nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, or R3 and R 4 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring; SSM designates a solid support material; and Prot designates H or a hydroxy protecting group.

As the prodrugs of the general formula I are novel in themselves, a further aspect of the present 25 invention relates to compounds of the general formula I.

A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a compound which has the general formula I X-L-Z I wherein X is a peptide sequence bound to L at the C-terminal carbonyl function of X; o L is a linking group, comprising from 3 to 9 backbone atoms, wherein the bond between the Cterminal carbonyl of X and L is different from an C-N amide bond; and Z is a peptide sequence of 2-20 amino acid units and bound to L at the N-terminal nitrogen atom of Z, each amino acid unit being independently selected from Ala, Leu, Ser, [I:\DayLib\LIBZ]05166.doc:BAV Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, Met, Orn, and amino acid units of the formula II -NH-C(R3)

II

wherein R and R 4 independently are selected from C1-6-alkyl, phenyl, and phenyl-methyl, wherein C1- 6 alkyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, and phenyl and phenyl-methyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from C1.6-alkyl, C2-6-alkenyl, halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, or R 3 and R 4 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring; or a salt thereof Scomprising coupling the corresponding peptide in a C-terminal activated form (X-Act) to an immobilised linker-peptide sequence H-L-Z-SSM.

Yet a further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a compound which has the general formula I S. X-L-Z I wherein X is a peptide sequence bound to L at the C-terminal carbonyl function of X; L is a linking group, comprising from 3 to 9 backbone atoms, wherein the bond between the Cterminal carbonyl of X and L is different from an C-N amide bond; and Z is a peptide sequence of 2-20 amino acid units and bound to L at the N-terminal nitrogen atom of Z, each amino acid unit being independently selected from Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, 2 Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, Net, Orn, and amino acid units of the formula II -NH-C(R3) (R 4

II

wherein R 3 and R 4 independently are selected from C1-6-alkyl, phenyl, and phenyl-methyl, wherein C1.

6-alkyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, and phenyl and phenyl-methyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from C1-6-alkyl, C26-alkenyl, halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, or R 3 and R 4 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring; or a salt thereof comprising the steps of: a) coupling an N-a-protected amino acid in the carboxyl activated form in the C-terminal activated form to an immobilised linker peptide sequence H-L-Z-SSM, thereby forming an immobilised N-a-protected peptide fragment, b) removing the N-a-protecting group, thereby forming an immobilised peptide fragment having an unprotected N-terminal end, c) coupling an additional N-a-protected amino acid in the carboxyl activated form, or an additional N-a-protected dipeptide in the C-terminal activated form to the unprotected N-terminal end 5166.doc:BAV 1 3b of the immobilised peptide fragment, and repeating the removal/coupling procedure in step b) and c) until the desired peptide sequence X is obtained, and then d) cleaving off the prodrug X-L-Z from the solid support material to obtain free X-L-Z in the form of a C-terminal carboxylic acid, amide, or ester.

0000 0** 4* S I 1:\Day~Ib\LI BZ]05166.doc: BA V WO 98/11126 PCT/DK9700376 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Peptides are utilised in a number of processes, cell-tocell communication, some being present in the autonomic and central nervous system. Some of the latter peptides, and a number of other peptides, exert important effects on vascular and other smooth muscles. These peptides include, the vasoconstrictors angiotensin II, vasopressin, endothelin, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, neurotensin, and calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and calcitonin gene-related peptide II. Among other pharmaceutically interesting peptides may be mentioned analgetic, antidiabetic, antibiotic, and anaesthetic peptides, etc. and, thus, the peptide may be or be reminiscent of endorphins, enkephalins, insulin, gramicidin, paracelsin, delta-sleep inducing peptide, ANF, vasotocin, bradykinin, dynorphin, endothelin, growth hormone release factor, growth hormone release peptide, oxytocin, tachykinin, ACTH, brain natriuretic polypeptide, cholecystokinin, corticotropin releasing factor, diazepam binding inhibitor fragment, FMRFamide, galanin, gastric releasing polypeptide, gastrin, gastrin releasing peptide, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagonlike peptide-2, LHRH, melanin concentrating hormone, alpha-MSH, morphine modulating peptides, motilin, neurokinins, neuromedins, neuropeptide K, neuropeptide Y, PACAP, pancreatic polypeptide, peptide YY, PHM, secretin, somatostatin, substance K, substance P, TRH, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and such biologically active peptides as described in H.L. Lee, "Peptide and Protein Drug Delivery", Marcel Dekker Inc. 1991, Chapter 9, and references therein, Phoenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "The Peptide Elite", 1997-1998 Catalogue, and Bachem, "Feinchemikalien AG", Catalog S15-1995.

It should be understood that the above-mentioned peptides as well as the pharmaceutically active peptide sequence of these WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 peptides can be incorporated in the prodrugs (and the compounds) of the invention.

In the present context, the term "pharmaceutically active peptide sequence" as applied to X is intended to mean any peptide or peptide-containing structure, either naturally occurring or synthetic, having two or more amino acid units (preferably three or more amino acid units) and exerting a pharmaceutical effect in mammals such as humans. In the present context, the term "amino acid unit" as used in connection with X means any naturally occurring or synthetic a, P, and y-amino acid, as well as side-chain modified amino acids such as modified tyrosines wherein the aromatic ring is further substituted with e.g. one or more halogens, sulfono groups, nitro groups etc., and/or the phenol group is converted into an ester group, etc, including side-chain protected amino acids, wherein the amino acid side-chains are protected in accordance with methods known to the person skilled in peptide chemistry, such as described in, M. Bodanszky and A. Bodanszky, "The Practice of Peptide Synthesis", 2. Ed, Springer-Verlag, 1994, and J. Jones, "The Chemical Synthesis of Peptides", Clarendon Press, 1991, whether in the L-form or the corresponding D-form.

The pharmaceutically active peptide sequence X preferably consists of 2-200 amino acid units, more preferably 2-100 amino acid units 3-100), even more preferably 2-50 amino acid units 3-50 or 4-30), in particular 2-20 amino acid units 3-20 or 4-20), especially 2-10 amino acid units 3or 4-10), such as 2-8 amino acid units 3-8 or 4-8).

In the present context, a pharmaceutically active peptide sequence X which in the native form is present as the Cterminal free carboxylic acid, such as Leu-enkephalin (H-Tyr- Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH), is denoted X-OH. In a similar way, a pharmaceutically active peptide sequence X with a C-terminal amide group, such as oxytocin (Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu- WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 6 Gly-NH2), is denoted X-NH 2 and a pharmaceutically active peptide sequence X with a C-terminal ester groups, is denoted X-OR, wherein OR, e.g. is the alkoxy moiety of the alcohol which, together with the pharmaceutically active peptide sequence X, constitutes the ester. R may designate C1-6-alkyl, aryl such as phenyl, aryl-C 1 -6-alkyl such as benzyl, etc.

Thus, even though the pharmaceutically active peptide sequence X is bound to the linker via the C-terminal carbonyl, it should be understood that any peptide sequences corresponding to pharmaceutically active peptides having a free C-terminal carboxy group X-OH) as well as peptides corresponding to pharmaceutically active peptides having a C-terminal amide X-

NH

2 or ester group X-OR) may be used in the compounds and prodrugs of the invention.

It is well known that many biologically active peptides also exert their desired biological effect when present in a modified or truncated form. In the case of for example insulin, porcine insulin differ from human insulin by only one amino acid unit, the B30 amino acid in porcine insulin being Ala and the B30 amino acid in human insulin being Thr. Despite this difference porcine insulin has been used as an effective diabetes drug for many years. In a similar way it has been found that the essential features for activity in the heptadecanepeptide Porcine gastrin I are all contained in the C-terminal tetrapeptide and that essentially all biological effects of neurotensin are associated with the C-terminal hexapeptide. Furthermore, pharmaceutically active peptides, wherein one or more amide bonds have been modified, e.g.

reduced, often exhibit a similar or even enhanced biological activity; for example the Cys2 [CH 2 NH]Tyr 3 analogue of somatostatin was found to be an even more potent growth hormone releasing agent than somatostatin itself, and also the transition state analogue Leu' 0 y[CH(OH)CH 2 ]Val" of angiotensin WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 7 has been found to show strong inhibitory effect against the aspartic acid protease Renin. Thus, the term "modified or truncated analogue thereof" is intended to mean such peptides that is modified by changing and/or deleting one or more amino acid units in the sequence of the native peptide, including modification of the side-chain, stereochemistry, and backbone in the individual amino acid units, such as changing one or more carboxamide bonds into e.g. reduced forms such as (-CH 2 and other peptide bond mimetics such as 2 (-P0 2

(SO-

CH

2 (S0 2 etc.

This being said, it should be understood that the peptide sequence in question should preferably comprise at least one amide bond (preferably two amide bonds (this naturally does not apply for a dipeptide)) susceptible to enzymatic degradation in order to fully take advantage of the present invention.

The most interesting prospect of the present invention is that it is possible to prepare "peptide prodrugs" for the treatment of mammals, such as humans, which are stabilised towards degradation by proteases and which subsequently are able to be released in an environment in which the peptide or the pharmaceutically active peptide sequence (X-OH) will exhibit a pharmaceutical action or will be transported to the desired location. Although the pharmaceutically active peptide sequence X preferably are released as a free acid (due to splitting of e.g. an ester bond between X and L) it is envisaged that the free acid may also posses a pharmaceutical relevant effect in cases where the native paharmaceutically active peptide sequence X is an amide (X-NH 2 or ester (X-OR).

Thus, in an interesting embodiment, the bond between the Cterminal carbonyl function of X and L is capable of being cleaved by blood plasma enzymes such as e.g. butyryl cholinesterase, acetyl cholinesterase, etc. In particular, the WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 8 bond between the C-terminal carbonyl function of X and L is a thiolester bond or an ester bond, preferably an ester bond.

In order to release the pharmaceutically active peptide sequence X-OH, the bond between X and L in the peptide prodrugs of the invention must be capable of being cleaved in vivo. It will be understood from the examples provided herein that the bond between X and L (which is preferably an ester bond) is capable of being cleaved by the enzyme butyryl cholinesterase.

Thus, it is envisaged that the peptide prodrugs of the invention is capable of being cleaved by e.g. esterases present in the blood plasma and thereby releasing the desired pharmaceutically active peptide X-OH at a desired location.

The rate of enzymatic cleavage of the peptide may be adjusted in order for a medicament comprising the prodrug I to have a prolonged or retarded effect. Adjustment of the cleavage rate may, be carried out by increasing or decreasing the bulkiness and/or the electron-donating effect of substituents on L.

In the present context, the term "C 1 -6-alkyl" used alone or as part of another group designates a straight, branched or cyclic saturated hydrocarbon group having from one to six carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec.butyl, tert.butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl, etc. Similarly, the term "Cl-5-alkyl" covers a straight, branched or cyclic saturated hydrocarbon group having from one to five carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec.butyl, tert.butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, cyclopentyl, etc. The term "Ci- 4 -alkyl" used alone or as part of another group designates a straight or branched saturated hydrocarbon group having from one to four carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec.butyl, tert.butyl, etc., and similarly, the term "Ci- 3 -alkyl" covers a straight or branched saturated hydrocarbon WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 9 group having from one to three carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and isopropyl.

In the present context, the term "C2- 6 -alkenyl" designates a hydrocarbon group having from two to six carbon atoms, which may be straight, branched, or cyclic and may contain one or more double bonds, such as vinyl, allyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, isobutenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 3-methyl-lbutenyl, 2-hexenyl, 5-hexenyl, cyclohexenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2butenyl etc., which may have cis and/or trans configuration.

Similarly, the term "C2-5-alkenyl" designates a hydrocarbon group having from two to five carbon atoms, which may be straight, branched, or cyclic and may contain one or more double bonds, such as vinyl, allyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, isobutenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 3-methyl-lbutenyl, cyclopentenyl, etc., which may have cis and/or trans configuration, and the term "C 2 4 -alkenyl" designates a hydrocarbon group having from two to four carbon atoms, which may be straight or branched and may contain one or more double bonds, such as vinyl, allyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, isobutenyl, etc., which may have cis and/or trans configuration.

The term "alkoxy" means alkyl-oxy.

The term "aryl" is intended to mean an aromatic, carbocyclic group such as phenyl or naphthyl.

The term "halogen" includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The term "heteroaryl" includes 5- or 6-membered aromatic monocyclic heterocyclic groups containing 1-4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, such as pyrrolyl, furyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, triazolyl, pyridyl, and aromatic bicyclic heterocyclic groups containing 1-6 WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, such as quinolinyl.

The peptide sequence Z is the part of the compound I responsible for introduction and/or stabilisation of a certain secondary structure into the molecule which will render the compound more stable towards degradation by proteases, thus, it is believed that Z needs to include at least 2 amino acid units (preferably at least 3 amino acid units) in order to introduce such a structural element either alone or in combination with the linker L. On the other hand it is also believed that a sequence of more than around 20 amino acid units will not improved the stability further. Thus, Z is a peptide sequence of 2-20 amino acid units (preferably 3-20), preferably in the range of 3-15, more preferably 3-9 (such as in particular 3-6 amino acid units, such as 4-6 amino acid units.

Each of the amino acid units in the peptide sequence Z are independently selected from Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, Met, Orn, and amino acids of the formula II as defined herein. Preferably, the amino acid units are selected from Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, and Met, more preferably from Glu, Lys, and Met, especially Glu and Lys. The above-mentioned amino acids may have either D- or L-configuration, but preferably the abovementioned amino acids have L-configuration. As the pharmaceutically active peptide sequence X usually consists exclusively of L-amino acids, it must be expected, in order to preserve the helix structure of the entire prodrug, that a peptide sequence Z consisting only or principally of L-amino acids will be advantageous compared to a peptide sequence Z consisting only or principally of D-amino acids. Furthermore, it is envisaged that a peptide sequence Z consisting only or principally of D-amino acids may exert toxicological effects due to the resistance of D-peptides and D-amino acids towards biodegradation.

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 11 The amino acid units of Z may of course all be different or all be identical. However, in interesting embodiments of the present invention, the amino acid units in Z are selected from three different amino acids or from two different amino acids, or are identical amino acids, preferably the amino acid units in Z are identical such as (Lys)n or (Glu)n, wherein n is an integer in the range from 4 to 6, or a combination of two amino acid units such as (LysGlu) 2 (LysGlu) 3 (GluLys) 2 or (GluLys) 3 or a combination of three amino acid units, e.g.

Xaa-(Lys)x-(Glu)y, Xaa-(Glu).-(Lys)y, (Lys) x-(Glu)y-Xaa, (Glu)x- (Lys)y-Xaa, (Lys)x-Xaa- (Glu)y, (Glu) -Xaa-(Lys)y, Xaa-Lys-Glu- Lys, Xaa-Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu, Xaa-Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys, Xaa-Glu-Lys- Glu, Xaa-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys, Xaa-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu, Lys-Glu-Lys- Xaa, Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu-Xaa, Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Xaa, Glu-Lys-Glu- Xaa, Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Xaa, Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu-Xaa, etc., wherein x and y are integers in the range from 1 to 4 with the proviso that x+y is at the most 5, and Xaa denotes Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gln, Asp, Arg, His, Met, Orn, and amino acids of the formula II as defined herein.

With respect to the peptide sequence Z, it is envisaged that the specific amino acid units mentioned as constituents of the peptide sequence Z, i.e. Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gln, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, Met, Orn, and amino acid units of the formula II, are amino acid units which, due to their sterical arrangement around the a-carbon atom, and probably also due to a specific electronic configuration, have certain preferences for participating in, or even stabilising or initiating, helixlike structures. The Chou-Fasman approach (Chou, P.Y. Fasman, G.D. Ann. Rev. Biochem. 47, 251-276 (1978)) is one attempt to quantize (empirically) the likelihood for a specific amino acid unit to be involved in an a-helix structure (expressed as the "Conformational parameter Chou and Fasman's studies and related studies have, however, shown that amino acid units WO98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 12 which have a low parameter Pa, may be found in a-helices, but of course not as often as amino acid units having a higher Pa.

Thus, in the peptide sequence Z, it is considered possible to include a small proportion of amino acid units which are not among the amino acid units selected above as constituents of Z, and still obtain the desired effect from the peptide sequence Z, in that the selected amino acid units are believed to compensate for any negative or neutral effect of such an alternative amino acid unit.

Thus, in embodiments which are within the scope of the present invention, it may be realistic to include up to 25% of amino acid units which are not among the amino acids preferred as constituents of Z. (By "25% percent" is referred to the number of amino acid units, i.e. no alternative amino acid units are allowed in di- and tripeptides, up to one alternative amino acid unit is allowed in tetra-, penta-, hexa-, and heptapeptides, up to two alternative amino acid units are allowed in octapeptides, etc.) Such alternative amino acid units may be selected from Val, Ile, Pro, Phe, Gly, Trp, as well as N-methyl amino acid units, however, preferably not Pro, Gly and N-methyl amino acid units.

Illustrative examples of the peptide sequences Z are: Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys, Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys, Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys, Lys-Lys-Glu- Lys, Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu, Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys, Glu-Lys-Gly-Lys, Glu- Lys-Lys-Glu, Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys, Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu, Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys, Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu, Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu, Lys-Glu-Glu- Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu, Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys, Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys, Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys, Lys-Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys, Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu-Lys, Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu, Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys, Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys, Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Lys, Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu, Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys, Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys, Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu, Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys, Lys-Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu, Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu, Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu, Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu, Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu, Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys, WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 13 Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu, Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys, Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu, Glu-Giu-Lys-Glu-Lys, Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys, Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu, Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu, Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys, Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu, Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys- Lys, Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys, Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys, Lys-Lys- Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys, Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys, Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu- Lys, Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu, Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys, Glu-Lys- Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys, Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys, Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu- Lys, Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu, Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys, Lys-Glu- Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys, Lys-Glu--Lys-Lys-Glu-Lys, Lys-Glu-Lys--Lys-Lys- Glu, Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys, Lys-Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys, Lys-Lys- Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu, Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys, Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu-Lys- Glu, Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys, Glu-Glu- Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys, Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Lys, Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys- Glu, Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys, Glu-Lys-Giu-Lys-Glu-Lys, Glu-Lys- Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu, Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys, Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Lys- Glu, Glu-Lys-Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu, Lys -Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu, Lys-Lys- Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu, Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu--Lys-Glu, Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu- Lys, Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu, Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu, Lys-Glu- Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys, Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu, Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu- Lys, Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys, Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu, Lys-Glu- Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu, Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu, Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys- Glu, Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys, Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu, Glu-Lys- Giu-Lys-Glu-Glu, Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu, Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu- Lys, Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu, Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu, Glu-Glu- Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys, Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu, Giu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu- Lys, Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys, Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu, Glu-Lys- Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu, Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu- Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys, Glu-Glu- Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu.

It should be understood that the C-terminal of Z may be presented in the form of the free acid, the amide, or the ester, e.g. depending on the type of solid support material and cleavage conditions used in connection with the syntheses as will be clear to the person skilled in the art.

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 14 It should also be understood that L is bound at the N-terminal nitrogen atom of Z, i.e. the possible bond types between L and Z are those which involve a nitrogen atom, e.g. a carboxamide bond a sulfonamide bond (-S0 2 or an alkylamine bond a carbamate bond a thiocarbamate bond an urea bond a thiourea bond a thioamide bond a cyanomethyleneamino bond or an N-methylamide bond 3 (In these examples the nitrogen atom (on the right-hand side) arises from Z and the remaining part of the "bond" arises from Preferred bonds are -S0 2 and -C(=0)-N(CH 3 among which and are preferred as they have the geometry of an ordinary peptide bond.

The linker L should preferably be able to participate in a helix-like structure initiated or stabilised by Z. Apart from the fact that the bond between X and L is not an amide bond, the geometry of L should preferably correspond to the geometry of an amino acid (or two or more amino acids), i.e. the linker L preferably comprises 3 backbone atoms or a multiple thereof such as 6 or 9 backbone atoms. In the present context, the term "backbone atoms" when used in connection with the linker L, therefore refers to the atoms in the linker L directly linking the pharmaceutically active peptide sequence X and the presequence Z.

Thus, L is preferably derived from a hydroxy-carboxylic acid, in particular an a-hydroxy-carboxylic acid. More specifically, L is derived from an a-hydroxy-carboxylic acid of the general formula HO-C(R') (R 2 )-COOH wherein R' and R 2 independently is selected from H, C--alkyl, C 2 -s-alkenyl, aryl, aryl-C 1 4 -alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci- 4 -alkyl, or R' and R 2 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, WO098/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring, where an alkyl or alkeniyl group may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from amino, cyano, halogen, isocyano, isothiocyano, thiocyano, sulfamyl, Cl- 4 -alkylthio, mono- or di-CI- 4 -alkylamino, hydroxy, C 1 4 -alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, carboxy,

C

1 4 -alkoxycarbonyl, CI- 4 -alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, monoor di-CI- 4 -al kyl- amino carbonyl, mono- or di-CI- 4 -alkyl-amino, mono- or di-Cl- 4 -alkyl-amino-CI- 4 -alkyl, C 1 4 -alkylcarbonylamino, sulfono, and sulfino, and where an aryl or a heteroaryl group may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from CI- 4 -alkyl, C 24 -alkenyl, nitro, amino, cyano, halogen, isocyano, isothiocyano, thiocyano, sulfamyl, CI- 4 -alkylthio, mono- or di-Cl- 4 -alky1 -amino, hydroxy, CI- 4 -alkoxy, aryloxy, carboxy, C 1 4 -alkoxycarbonyl, C- 4 -alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-CI- 4 -alkyl-aminocarbonyl, mono- or di -CI 4 -al kyl- amino, mono- or di-C 1 4 -alkyl-amino-0 1 4 -alkyl, Calkylcarbonylamino, sulfono, and sulfino.

From structural analysis of the prodrugs of the invention, it is envisaged that further stabilization of the helix-like structure of the prodrugs may be achieved when the linker L is derived from an a-hydroxy-carboxylic acid which also bears a methylene (-CH 2 group in the cr-position. Thus, in an interesting embodiment, the linker L is derived from an (xhydroxy-carboxylic acid with the general formula HO-C (CH- 2 R 5

(R

2 -COOH, wherein R 5 is selected from H, Cl- 5 -alkyl, C 2 alkenyl, aryl, aryl-CI- 3 -alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-CI-3alkyl, where an alkyl or alkenyl group may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from amino, halogen, mono- or di-CI- 4 -alkyl-amino, hydroxy, Cl 1 4 -alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, carboxy, CI- 4 -alkoxycarbonyl, C 1

I-

alkylcarbonyloxy, and aminocarbonyl and where an aryl or heteroaryl may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from C-alkyl, C 2 -alkenyl, nitro, amino, halogen, mono- or di-CI- 4 -alkyl-amino, hydroxy, C 1 4 WO 98/11126 PCTIDK97/00376 16 alkoxy, carboxy, C 1 _4-alkoxycarbonyl, Ci- 4 -alkylcarbonyloxy, and aminocarbonyl; and R 2 is as defined above, preferably H, C 1 -ealkyl, C 2 6 -alkenyl, aryl, aryl-Ci- 4 -alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci- 4 -alkyl, where an alkyl or alkenyl group may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from amino, halogen, mono- or di-Ci_ 4 -alkyl-amino, hydroxy, CI- 4 alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, carboxy, Ci- 4 -alkoxycarbonyl, C1- 4 -alkylcarbonyloxy, and aminocarbonyl, and where an aryl or heteroaryl may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from CI-4-alkyl, C2_ 4 -alkenyl, nitro, amino, halogen, mono- or di-CI-4-alkyl-amino, hydroxy, C1- 4 alkoxy, carboxy, Ci-4-alkoxycarbonyl, Ci- 4 -alkylcarbonyloxy, and aminocarbonyl.

The above mentioned adjustment of the cleavage rate by increasing or decreasing the bulkiness and/or the electrondonating effect of substituents on L may e.g. be carried out by increasing or decreasing the bulkiness and/or the electrondonating effect of R 1 and/or R 2 (or R 5 In especially interesting embodiments, L is derived from hydroxyacetic acid, (S)-(+)-mandelic acid, L-lactic acid (+)-2-hydroxypropanoic acid), L-a-hydroxy-butyric acid hydroxybutanoic acid), and a-hydroxy-isobutyric acid.

It should be understood that the prodrugs of the invention may also be in the form of a salt thereof. Salts include pharmaceutically acceptable salts, such as acid addition salts and basic salts. Examples of acid addition salts are hydrochloride slats, sodium salts, calcium salts, potassium salts, etc.. Examples of basic salts are salts where the cation is selected from alkali metals, such as sodium and potassium, alkaline earth metals, such as calcium, and ammonium ions

+N(R

6 3

(R

7 where R 6 and R 7 independently designates optionally substituted Ci-6-alkyl, C2- 6 -alkenyl, optionally substituted WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 17 aryl, or optionally substituted heteroaryl. Other examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are, those described in "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences" 17. Ed. Alfonso R.

Gennaro Mark Publishing Company, Easton, PA, U.S.A., 1985 and more recent editions and in Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology.

As mentioned above the routes of administration of pharmaceutically active peptides have thus far been rather limited due to the fast biodegradation by proteases such as chymotrypsin, trypsin, carboxypeptidase A, pepsin, leucine aminopeptidase, etc. As it will be understood from the examples provided herein, the tendency of prodrugs of the general formula I to resist protease-catalysed hydrolysis can be measured directly by the in vitro enzyme assays shown in the examples. The tendency of X-L-Z to resist degradation can for example be expressed as a pseudo-first-order rate constant and/or as the half-life of said prodrugs, which may be compared to the corresponding values of X-OH, X-NH2, and/or X-OR.

Furthermore, the ability of the prodrugs of the invention to exert the desired biological effect was tested in various in vitro and in vivo assay procedures. A detailed description of the above-mentioned tests are given in the examples.

It has been found that it is possible to obtain a remarkable increase in the half-life of a peptide or pharmaceutically active peptide sequence by protecting the peptide in question as a prodrug according to the invention.

Thus in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ratio between the half-life of the prodrug in question in the "Hydrolysis in enzyme solution test", as defined herein, and the half-life of the corresponding peptide in the "Hydrolysis in enzyme solution test", is at least 2, preferably at least 5, and even more preferably at least 10, especially at WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 18 least 20, when using one of the enzymes carboxypeptidase A and leucine aminopeptidase.

The invention also concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising a prodrug of the general formula I as defined above in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Such compositions may be in a form adapted to oral, parenteral (intravenous, intraperitoneal), rectal, intranasal, dermal, vaginal, buccal, ocularly, or pulmonary administration, and such compositions may be prepared in a manner well-known to the person skilled in the art, e.g. as generally described in "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences", 17. Ed. Alfonso R.

Gennaro Mark Publishing Company, Easton, PA, U.S.A., 1985 and more recent editions and in the monographs in the "Drugs and the Pharmaceutical Sciences" series, Marcel Dekker.

The invention also concerns use of a prodrug of the general formula I as defined above or a salt thereof in the preparation of a composition for use in therapy, e.g. in the treatment of disorders in the central nerveous system, in vaccine therapy, and in the treatment of HIV, cancer, diabetes, incontinence, hypertension, and as analgesics and contraceptives, and such indications known to be treated by therapy comprising administration of pharmaceutically active peptides.

The prodrugs of the invention may be prepared by methods known per se in the art. Thus, the peptide sequences X and Z may be prepared by standard peptide-preparation techniques such as solution synthesis or Merrifield-type solid phase synthesis. It is believed that the Boc (tert.butyloxycarbonyl) as well as the Fmoc (9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl) strategies are applicable.

In one possible synthesis strategy, the prodrugs of the invention may be prepared by solid phase synthesis by first constructing the peptide sequence Z using well-known standard WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 19 protection, coupling and deprotection procedures, subsequently coupling the linking group L, thereafter sequentially coupling the pharmaceutically active sequence X on the linking group L in a manner similar to the construction of Z, and finally cleaving off the entire prodrug X-L-Z from the carrier.

Another possible strategy is to prepare one or both of the two sequences X and Z separately by solution synthesis, solid phase synthesis, recombinant techniques, or enzymatic synthesis, followed by coupling of the two sequences and the linking group L by well-known segment condensation procedures, either in solution or using solid phase techniques or a combination thereof.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that a combination of the abovementioned strategies may be especially applicable where a modified peptide sequence, e.g. from a biologically active peptide comprising reduced peptide bonds, is to be coupled to a peptide sequence Z via a linker L. In this case it may be advantageous to prepare the immobilised fragment L-Z by successive coupling of amino acids (and the linker) first and then couple a complete biologically active peptide sequence X (prepared in solution or fully or partially using solid phase techniques) to the fragment L-Z.

Thus, the present invention also relates to an immobilized linker-peptide sequence Prot-L-Z-SSM, where L designates a linker of the general formula -O-C(R 1

(R

2 wherein R 1 and

R

2 are as defined above, and Prot designates H or a hydroxy protecting group, where the hydroxy protecting group is selected from dimethoxytrityl, monomethoxytrityl, trityl, 9-(9phenyl)xanthenyl (pixyl), tetrahydropyranol, methoxytetrahydropyranol, trimethylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl, tert.butyldimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, phenyldimethylsilyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, substituted benzyloxycarbonyl ethers, such as 2-bromo benzyloxycarbonyl, tert.butylethers, methyl ethers, acetyl, WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 halogen substituted acetyls, such as chloroacetyl and fluoroacetyl, isobutyryl, pivaloyl, benzoyl and substituted benzoyls, methoxymethyl, benzyl ethers and benzyl ethers, such as 2,6-dichlorobenzyl, etc; SSM designates a solid support material selected from e.g. functionalised resins such as polystyrene, polyacrylamide, polydimethylacrylamide, polyethyleneglycol, cellulose, polyethylene, polyethyleneglycol grafted on polystyrene, latex, dynabeads, etc.; and Z is as defined above.

It should be understood that it may be necessary or desirable that the C-terminal amino acid of the pre-sequence Z is attached to the solid support material by means of a common linker such as 2,4-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxy-benzophenone, 4-(4hydroxy-methyl-3-methoxyphenoxy)-butyric acid, 4-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid, 4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxyacetic acid, 3-(4hydroxymethylphenoxy)propionic acid, and fluoren-9-yl)methoxyformamido]-2,4-dimethoxybenzyl]-phenoxyacetic acid.

Consequently, the present invention also relates to the use of an immobilised linker-peptide sequence Prot-L-Z-SSM for the preparation of a prodrug according to the invention, and to a method for the preparation of a prodrug of a peptide a peptide amide (X-NH 2 or a peptide ester (X-OR) comprising coupling the corresponding peptide in a C-terminal activated form (X-Act) to an immobilised linker-peptide sequence H-L-Z-

SSM.

The present invention also relates to a further method for the preparation of a prodrug of a peptide a peptide amide

(X-NH

2 or a peptide ester (X-OR) comprising the steps of: a) coupling an N-a-protected amino acid in the carboxyl activated form, or an N-a-protected dipeptide in the C- WO98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 21 terminal activated form to an immobilised linker peptide sequence H-L-Z-SSM, thereby forming an immobilised N-aprotected peptide fragment, b) removing the N-a-protecting group, thereby forming an immobilised peptide fragment having an unprotected N-terminal end, c) coupling an additional N-a-protected amino acid in the carboxyl activated form, or an additional N-a-protected dipeptide in the C-terminal activated form to the unprotected N-terminal end of the immobilised peptide fragment, and repeating the removal/coupling procedure in step b) and c) until the desired peptide sequence X is obtained, and then d) cleaving off the prodrug X-L-Z from the solid support material to obtain the free prodrug in the form of a C-terminal carboxylic acid, amide, or ester.

The coupling, removal and cleavage step is performed by methods known to the person skilled in the art taking into consideration the protection strategy and the selected solid phase material.

With respect to establishing the bonds on the one hand between X and L, and on the other hand between L and Z, of the types indicated above, such bonds may be established by methods known per se for establishing thiol ester, ester, carboxamide, sulfonamide, alkylamine, carbamate, thiocarbamate, urea, thiourea, thioamide, cyanomethyleneamino, or N-methylamide bonds or groupings, see e.g. J. March, "Advanced Organic Chemistry", 3rd edition, John Wiley Sons, 1985 as well as references cited therein. Thus, e.g. an ester may be formed from an activated derivative (acid halide, acid anhydride, WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 22 activated ester e.g. HObt-ester etc.) of the appropriate carboxylic acid by reaction with the relevant hydroxy compound.

Likewise, a carboxamide may be formed by reacting an activated derivative (acid halide, acid anhydride, activated ester e.g.

HObt-ester etc.) of the appropriate carboxylic acid with the relevant amino compound as known to a person skilled in peptide chemistry; a sulfonamide may be formed by reacting a sulfonyl chloride with the appropriate amino compound; an alkyl amine bond or grouping may be formed by reacting the appropriate compound carrying a leaving group such as tosyl, halogen, and mesityl on the carbon atom in question with the relevant amino compound in a nucleophilic substitution reaction; a carbamate bond or grouping may be formed by treating the appropriate alcohol with phosgene to afford the corresponding chlorocarbonate which is then reacted with the relevant amino compound; a thiocarbamate bond or grouping may be formed by treating the appropriate alcohol with thiophosgene to afford the corresponding chlorothiocarbonate which is then reacted with the relevant amino compound; a urea bond or grouping may be formed by reacting the appropriate compound carrying a isocyanate group on the carbon atom in question with the relevant amino compound; a thiourea bond or grouping may be formed by reacting the appropriate compound carrying a isothiocyanate group on the carbon atom in question with the relevant amino compound; a thioamide bond or grouping may be formed by reacting the thiono ester of the appropriate carboxylic acid with the relevant amino compound, the thiono ester being formed e.g. from the corresponding piperidide.

Furthermore, it may be necessary or desirable to include sidechain protection groups when using amino acid units carrying functional groups which are reactive under the prevailing conditions. The necessary protection scheme will be known to the person skilled in the art (see e.g. M. Bodanszky and A.

Bodanszky, "The Practice of Peptide Synthesis", 2. Ed, WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 23 Springer-Verlag, 1994, and J. Jones, "The Chemical Synthesis of Peptides", Clarendon Press, 1991).

Thus, the peptide prodrug of the invention may be cleaved from the solid support material by means of an acid such as trifluoracetic acid, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, hydrogenbromide, hydrogenchloride, hydrogenfluoride, etc. or a base such as ammonia, hydrazine, an alkoxide, such as sodium ethoxide, an hydroxide, such as sodium hydroxide, etc.

As the prodrugs of the invention represent a novel class of compounds, a still further aspect of the present invention relates to compounds of the general formula I X L Z I wherein X is a peptide sequence which is bound to L at the Cterminal carbonyl function of X; L is a linking group, comprising from 3 to 9 backbone atoms, wherein the bond between the C-terminal carbonyl of X and L is different from an C-N amide bond; and Z is a peptide sequence of 2-20 amino acid units and bound to L at the N-terminal nitrogen atom of Z, each amino acid unit being independently selected from Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, Met, Orn, and amino acid units of the formula II

-NH-C(R

3 -C II wherein R 3 and R 4 independently are selected from C1- 6 alkyl, phenyl, and phenyl-methyl, wherein Ci- 6 -alkyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, and phenyl and phenyl-methyl is WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 24 optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from Cl-6-alkyl, C 2 r-alkenyl, halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, or R 3 and 1R' together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring; or a salt thereof.

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

EXPERIMENTAL

Peptide synthesis General procedures Abbreviations used: tBu tert.butyl DAMGO Tyr- (D-Ala) -Gly-p (CH 3 Phe-NH-CH 2

-CH

2

OH

DCC dicyclohexylcarbodiimide DCM dichloromethane DIC diisopropylcarbodiimide DIEA N,N-diisopropylethylamine DMAP 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-pyridine Dhbt-OH- 3, 4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-4-oxo-1,2,3-benzotriazine DMF N,N-dimethylformamide DSIP Delta-Sleep Inducing Peptide, H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu-OH EDT ethanedithiol ES-MS electrospray mass spectrometry Fmoc 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl cHex cyclohexyl HAA hydroxyacetic acid HMPA 4-hydroxymethylphenoxyacetic acid WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 HObt l-hydroxybenzotriazole HPLC high performance liquid chromatography Ma mandelic acid NHS N-hydroxy-succinic acid imido ester PEG-PS polyethyleneglycol grafted on polystyrene Pfp pentaflourophenyl SEM Standard Error of Mean TFA trifluoroacetic acid Z benzyloxycarbonyl Apparatus and synthetic strategy Peptides were synthesized batchwise in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration using 9fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) as N-a-amino protecting group and suitable common protection groups for side-chain functionalities (Dryland, A. and Sheppard, R.C. (1986) J. Chem.

Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 125-137).

Solvents Solvent DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide, Riedel de-Haen, Germany) was purified by passing through a column packed with a strong cation exchange resin (Lewatit S 100 MB/H strong acid, Bayer AG Leverkusen, Germany) and analyzed for free amines prior to use by addition of 3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-4-oxo-1,2,3-benzotriazine (Dhbt-OH) giving rise to a yellow colour (Dhbt-O-anion) if free amines are present. Solvent DCM (dichloromethane, analytical grade, Riedel de-Haen, Germany) was used directly without purification.

Amino acids and dipeptides Fmoc-protected amino acids were purchased from MilliGen (UK) in suitable side-chain protected forms. Otherwise protected amino acids (H-Glu(OtBu)-OtBu; H-Glu(cHex)-OH; Z-Glu(OtBu)-OH) and the dipeptides Fmoc-Phe-Gly-OH and H-Phe-Leu-OH were purchased from Bachem (Switzerland).

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 26 Coupling reagents Coupling reagent diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC) was purchased from (Riedel de-Haen, Germany) and distilled prior to use, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) was purchased from Merck- Schuchardt, Munchen, Germany, and purified by distillation.

Linkers Linkers (4-hydroxymethylphenoxy)acetic acid (HMPA), Novabiochem, Switzerland; hydroxyacetic acid, (S)-(+)-mandelic acid 99% pure, Aldrich, Germany, and (R)-(-)-mandelic acid 98.5% pure, M&R, England, were coupled to the resin or to the Nterminal of the pre-sequence Z as a preformed 1hydroxybenzotriazole (HObt) ester generated by means of DIC.

Solid supports Peptides synthesised according to the Fmoc-strategy were synthesised on two different types of solid support using 0.05 M or higher concentrations of Fmoc-protected activated amino acid in DMF: 1) PEG-PS (polyethyleneglycol grafted on polystyrene; NovaSyn TG resin, 0.29 mmol/g, Novabiochem, Switzerland); 2) NovaSyn K 125 (Kieselguhr supported polydimethylacrylamide resin functionalised with sarcosine methyl ester 0.11 mmol/g; Novabiochem, Switzerland).

Catalysts and other reagents Diisopropylethylamine (DIEA) was purchased from Aldrich, Germany, and ethylenediamine from Fluka, piperidine and pyridine from Riedel-de Haen, Frankfurt, Germany. 4-(N,Ndimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) was purchased from Fluka, Switzerland and used as a catalyst in coupling reactions involving symmetrical anhydrides. Ethanedithiol was purchased from Riedel-de HAen, Frankfurt, Germany. 3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy- 4-oxo-1,2,3-benzotriazine (Dhbt-OH) and l-hydroxybenzotriazole (HObt) were obtained from Fluka, Switzerland. FmocNHS was purchased from Aldrich, Germany.

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 27 Enzymes Carboxypeptidase A (EC 3.4.17.1) type I from Bovine Pancreas, leucine aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.1) type III-CP from Porcine Kidney, butyryl cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) from Horse Serum, a-chymotrypsin (EC 4.4.21.1) from Bovine Pancreas, and pepsin A (EC 3.4.23.1) from Porcine Stomarch Mucosa Bovine Pancreas were obtained from Sigma, UK.

Coupling procedures The first amino acid was coupled as a symmetrical anhydride in DMF generated from the appropriate N-a-protected amino acid and DIC or DCC. The following amino acids were coupled as preformed HObt esters made from appropriate N-a-protected amino acids and HObt by means of DIC in DMF. Acylations were checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80'C in order to prevent Fmoc deprotection during the test (Larsen, B. D. and Holm, Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 43, 1994, 1-9).

Deprotection of the N-a-amino protecting group Deprotection of the Fmoc group was performed by treatment with piperidine in DMF (1x3 and 1x7 min.), followed by wash with DMF until no yellow colour (Dhbt-O-) could be detected after addition of Dhbt-OH to the drained DMF.

Cleavage of peptide from resin with acid Peptides were cleaved from the resins by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA, Riedel-de Haen, Frankfurt, Germany)water v/v or with 95% TFA and 5% ethanedithiol v/v at r.t. for 2 h. The filtered resins were washed with 95% TFA-water and filtrates and washings evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was washed with ether and freeze dried from acetic acid-water. The crude freeze dried product was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESMS) WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 28 Preformed HObt-ester 3 eq. N-a-amino protected amino acid or hydroxyacetic acid or (S)-(+)-mandelic acid was dissolved in DMF together with 3 eq.

HObt and 3 eq DIC. The solution was left at r.t. for 10 minutes and then added to the resin, which had been washed with a solution of 0.2% Dhbt-OH in DMF prior to the addition of the preactivated amino acid.

Preformed symmetrical anhydride 6 eq. N-a-amino protected amino acid was dissolved in DCM and cooled to 0°C. DCC (3 eq.) was added and the reaction continued for 10 min. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the remanence dissolved in DMF. The solution was filtered and immediately added to the resin followed by 0.1 eq. of DMAP.

Estimation of the coupling yield of the first N-a-amino protected amino acid mg dry Fmoc-protected peptide-resin was treated with 5 ml piperidine in DMF for 10 min at r.t. and the UV absorption for the dibenzofulvene-piperidine adduct was estimated at 301 nm. The yield was determined using a calculated extension coefficient 301 based on a Fmoc-Ala-OH standard.

Peptide synthesis on PepSyn K resin Dry PepSyn K (ca 500 mg), was covered by ethylenediamine and left at r.t. over night. The resin was drained and washed with DMF 10 x 15 ml, 5 min each. After draining the resin was washed with 10% DIEA in DMF v/v (2 x 15 ml, 5 min each) and finally washed with DMF until no yellow colour could be detected by addition of Dhbt-OH to the drained DMF. 3 eq. HMPA 3 eq. HObt and 3 eq. DIC was dissolved in 10 ml DMF and left for activation for 10 min, after which the mixture was added to the resin and the coupling continued for 24 h. The resin was drained and washed with DMF (10 x 15 ml, 5 min each), and the acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test. The first amino WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 29 acid was coupled as the preformed symmetrical anhydride (see above), and the coupling yields estimated as described above.

It was in all cases better than 70%. The synthesis was then continued as "batchwise Continued batchwise peptide synthesis on PepSyn K The resin (ca. 500 mg) with the first amino acid attached was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration, and the Fmoc-group deprotected as described above. The remaining amino acids according to the sequence were coupled as preformed Fmoc-protected, if necessary side-chain protected, HObt esters (3 eq.) in DMF (5 ml) prepared as described above. The couplings were continued for 2 h unless otherwise specified. Excess reagent was then removed by DMF washing (12 min, flow rate 1 ml/min) All acylations were checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80 0 C. After completed synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF min, flow rate 1 ml/min), DCM (5x5 ml, 1 min each) and finally diethyl ether (5x5 ml, 1 min each) and dried in vacuo.

Batchwise peptide synthesis on PEG-PS NovaSyn TG resin (250 mg, 0.27-0.29 mmol/g) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration. The resin was swelled in DMF (5 ml), and treated with 20% piperidine in DMF to secure the presence of nonprotonated amino groups on the resin. The resin was drained and washed with DMF until no yellow colour could be detected after addition of Dhbt-OH to the drained DMF. HMPA (3 eq.) was coupled as a preformed HObt-ester as described above and the coupling was continued for 24 h. The resin was drained and washed with DMF (5 x 5 ml, 5 min each) and the acylation checked by the ninhydrin test. The first amino acid was coupled as a preformed symmetrical anhydride as described above. The coupling yields of the first Fmoc-protected amino acids were estimated as described above. It was in all cases better than The following amino acids according to the sequence were WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 coupled as preformed Fmoc-protected, if necessary side-chain protected, HObt esters (3 eq.) as described above. The couplings were continued for 2 h, unless otherwise specified.

The resin was drained and washed with DMF (5 x 5 ml, 5 min each) in order to remove excess reagent. All acylations were checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80°C. After completed synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF ml, 5 min each), DCM (3x5 ml, 1 min each) and finally diethyl ether (3x5 ml, 1 min each) and dried in vacuo.

HPLC conditions Isocratic HPLC analysis was preformed on a Shimadzu system consisting of an LC-6A pump, an MERCK HITACHI L-4000 UV detector operated at 215 nm and a Rheodyne 7125 injection valve with a 2, 20, or 100 il loop. The column used for isocratic analysis was a Spherisorb ODS-2 (100 x 3 mm; 5-pm particles).

HPLC analysis using gradients was performed on a MERCK-HITACHI L-6200 Intelligent pump, an MERCK HITACHI L-4000 UV detector operated at 215 nm and a Rheodyne 7125 injection valve with a 20 pl loop. The column used was a RescorceTM RPC 1 ml.

Buffer A was 0.1 vol TFA in water and buffer B 90 vol% acetonitrile, 9.9 vol% water and 0.1 vol% TFA. The Buffers were pumped through the column at a flow rate of 1.3-1.5 ml/min using the following gradient for peptide analysis 1. Linear gradient from 0% 100% B (30 min), for enzymatic studies 2.

Linear gradient from 40 100% B (15 min), 3. Linear gradient from 10 40% B (15 min), or 4. Linear gradient from 0 50% B min). The mobile phase used for isocratic analysis will be mentioned under the description of the individual experiments.

Mass spectroscopy Mass spectra were obtained on a Finnigan Mat LCQ instrument equipped with an electrospray (ESI) probe (ES-MS).

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 31 Peptide synthesis of individual peptides 1. Peptide synthesis of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-GluG-OH on NovaSyn TentaGel Dry NovaSyn TG resin (0.29 mmol/g, 250 mg) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration and treated as described under "batchwise peptide synthesis on PEG-PS" until finishing the pre-sequence Glu 6 The following amino acids forming the Leu-enkephalin sequence were coupled as preformed Fmoc-protected, if necessary side-chain protected, HObt esters (3 eq.) in DMF (5 ml) generated by means of DIC. Before each of the last five couplings the resin was washed with a solution of Dhbt-OH (80 mg in 25 ml), in order to follow the disappearance of the yellow colour as the coupling reaction proceeded. When the yellow colour was no longer visible the couplings were interrupted by washing the resin with DMF (5 x 5 ml, 5 min each). The acylations were then checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80°C as earlier described. After completed synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF (3x5 ml, 1 min each), DCM (3x5 ml, 1 min each), diethyl ether (3x5 ml, 1 min each) and dried in vacuo.

The peptide was cleaved from the resin as described above and freeze dried from acetic acid. The crude freeze dried product was analysed by HPLC and found to be homogeneous without deletion and Fmoc-protected sequences. The purity was found to be better than 90% and the identity of the peptide was confirmed by ES-MS. Yield 76%.

2. Synthesis of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-HAA-Glu6-OH on a PepSyn K resin Dry PepSyn K (ca 500 mg, 0.1 mmol/g) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration and treated with ethylenediamine as earlier described. The first 6 glutamic acid units forming the presequence were coupled as Fmoc-protected Pfp esters (3 eq.) with WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 32 the addition of Dhbt-OH (1 The acylations were checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80°C as described above. The Fmoc group was deprotected as described above. After finishing the pre-sequence the deprotected peptide-resin was reacted with 6 eq. hydroxyacetic acid as a preactivated HObt-ester as described above and the coupling was continued for 24 h. Excess reagent was removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min).

The acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test. The next amino acid according to the sequence (leucine) was coupled as preformed symmetrical anhydride as described above and the reaction was continued for 2 h. Excess reagent was then removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min). A small resinsample was removed in order to check the coupling yield, which was estimated as described above, and found to be 90%. The synthesis was then continued by cleavage of the Fmoc group as described above.

The next coupling according to the sequence was in order to prevent diketopiperazine formation performed as a dipeptide coupling. Thus Fmoc-Gly-Phe-OH was coupled as a preformed HObt ester (3 eq.) in DMF (5 ml) prepared as described above for 2 h. Excess reagent was then removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min) and the acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test performed 80°C as described above. The Fmoc group was then removed by treatment with 20% piperidine in DMF as described above. The remaining amino acids according to the sequence were coupled as preformed Fmoc-protected, if necessary side-chain protected, HObt esters (3 eq.) with the addition of 1 eq Dhbt- OH in DMF (2 ml) for 2 h. The acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test performed as described above. The remaining amino acids according to the sequence were coupled as Fmocprotected Pfp esters (3 eq.) with the addition of Dhbt-OH (1 eq.) in DMF (2 ml). Excess reagent was removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min) and acylations were checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80°C as described above. The Fmoc group was deprotected as described above. After completed WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 33 synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF (10 min, flow rate 1 ml/min), DCM (3x5 ml, 1 min each), diethyl ether ml, 1 min each) and dried in vacuo.

The peptide was cleaved from the resin as described above and freeze dried from ammonium hydrogencarbonate (0.1 The crude freeze dried product was analysed by HPLC and found to be homogeneous, the purity was found to be better than 80%, the identity of the peptide was confirmed by ESMS, and the yield 58%.

3. Synthesis of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu- on a PepSyn K resin.

Dry PepSyn K (ca 500 mg, 0.1 mmol/g) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration and treated with ethylenediamine as earlier described. The first 6 glutamic acids forming the pre-sequence were coupled as Fmoc-protected Pfp esters (3 eq.) with the addition of Dhbt-OH (1 The acylations were checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80 0 C as described above. The Fmoc group was deprotected as described above. After finishing the pre-sequence the deprotected peptide-resin was reacted with 6 eq. (S)-(+)-mandelic acid as a preactivated HObt-ester as described above and the coupling was continued for 24 h. Excess reagent was removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min).

The acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test. The next amino acid according to the sequence (leucine) was coupled as preformed symmetrical anhydride as described above and the reaction was continued for 2 h. Excess reagent was then removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min). A small resinsample was removed in order to check the coupling yield, which was estimated as described above, and found to be 85%. The synthesis was then continued by cleavage of the Fmoc group as described above.

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 34 The next coupling according to the sequence was in order to prevent diketopiperazine formation performed as a dipeptide coupling. Thus Fmoc-Gly-Phe-OH was coupled as a preformed HObt ester (3 eq.) in DMF (5 ml) prepared as described above for 2 h. Excess reagent was then removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min) and the acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80°C as described above. The Fmoc group was then removed by treatment with 20% piperidine in DMF as described above. The remaining amino acids according to the sequence were coupled preformed Fmoc-protected HObt esters (3 eq.) with the addition of 1 eq Dhbt-OH in DMF (2 ml) for 2 h.

The acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test performed as described above. The remaining amino acids according to the sequence were coupled as Fmoc-protected Pfp esters (3 eq.) with the addition of Dhbt-OH (1 eq.) in DMF (2 ml). Excess reagent was removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min) and acylations were checked by the ninhydrin test performed 80°C as described above. The Fmoc group was deprotected as described above. After completed synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF (10 min, flow rate 1 ml/min), DCM (3x5 ml, 1 min each), diethyl ether (3x5 ml, 1 min each) and dried in vacuo.

The peptide was cleaved from the resin as described above and freeze dried from ammonium hydrogencarbonate (0.1 The crude freeze dried product was analysed by HPLC and found to be homogeneous, the purity was found to be better than 80%, the identity of the peptide was confirmed by ESMS, and the yield 57%.

The prodrug H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-( 6 -OH was prepared as described above for 3.

4. Synthesis of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-((S)-(+)-Ma)-Lys 6 -OH on a PepSyn K resin.

Dry PepSyn K (ca 500 mg, 0.1 mmol/g) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 filtration and treated with ethylenediamine as earlier described. The first 6 lysines forming the pre-sequence were coupled as Fmoc-protected Pfp esters (3 eq.) with the addition of Dhbt-OH (1 The acylations were checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80°C as described above. The Fmoc group was deprotected as described above. After finishing the pre-sequence the deprotected peptide-resin was reacted with 6 eq. (S)-(+)-mandelic acid as a preactivated HObt-ester as described above and the coupling was continued for 24 h. Excess reagent was removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min).

The next coupling according to the sequence was in order to prevent diketopiperazine formation performed as a dipeptide coupling. Thus Fmoc-Gly-Phe-OH was coupled as a preformed HObt ester (3 eq.) in DMF (5 ml) prepared as described above for 2 h. Excess reagent was then removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min) and the acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80°C as described above. The Fmoc group was then removed by treatment with 20% piperidine in DMF as described above. The remaining amino acids according to the sequence were coupled preformed Fmoc-protected HObt esters (3 eq.) with the addition of 1 eq Dhbt-OH in DMF (2 ml) for 2 h.

The acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test performed as described above. The remaining amino acids according to the sequence were coupled as Fmoc-protected Pfp esters (3 eq.) with the addition of Dhbt-OH (1 eq.) in DMF (2 ml). Excess reagent was removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min) and WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 36 acylations were checked by the ninhydrin test performed at as described above. The Fmoc group was deprotected as described above. After completed synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF (10 min, flow rate 1 ml/min), DCM (3x5 ml, 1 min each), diethyl ether (3x5 ml, 1 min each) and dried in vacuo.

The prodrug H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu- was prepared as described above for 4.

Synthesis of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-((S)-(+)-Ma)-(LysGlu) 3

-OH

on a PepSyn K resin.

Dry PepSyn K (ca 500 mg, 0.1 mmol/g) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration and treated with ethylenediamine as earlier described. The first 6 amino acids forming the pre-sequence were coupled as Fmoc-protected Pfp esters (3 eq.) with the addition of Dhbt-OH (1 The acylations were checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80°C as described above. The Fmoc group was deprotected as described above. After finishing the pre-sequence the deprotected peptide-resin was reacted with 6 eq. (S)-(+)-mandelic acid as a preactivated HObt-ester as described above and the coupling was continued for 24 h. Excess reagent was removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min).

The acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test. The next amino acid according to the sequence (leucine) was coupled as preformed symmetrical anhydride as described above and the reaction was continued for 2 h. Excess reagent was then removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min). A small resinsample was removed in order to check the coupling yield, which WO 98/11126 PCT/DK9700376 37 was estimated as described above, and found to be 85%. The synthesis was then continued by cleavage of the Fmoc group as described above.

The acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test performed as described above. The remaining amino acids according to the sequence were coupled as Fmoc-protected Pfp esters (3 eq.) with the addition of Dhbt-OH (1 eq.) in DMF (2 ml). Excess reagent was removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min) and acylations were checked by the ninhydrin test performed at as described above. The Fmoc group was deprotected as described above. After completed synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF (10 min, flow rate 1 ml/min), DCM (3x5 ml, 1 min each), diethyl ether (3x5 ml, 1 min each) and dried in vacuo.

The peptide was cleaved from the resin as described above and freeze dried from ammonium hydrogencarbonate (0.1 The crude freeze dried product was analysed by HPLC and found to be homogeneous, the purity was found to be better than 80%, the identity of the peptide was confirmed by ESMS, and the yield 63%.

The prodrug H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-( 3 -OH was prepared as described above for WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 38 6. Peptide synthesis of Fmoc-Phe-Leu-HAA-Glur-OH on NovaSyn TentaGel.

Dry NovaSyn TG resin (0.29 mmol/g, 250 mg) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration and treated as described under "batchwise peptide synthesis on PEG-PS" until finishing the pre-sequence Glue. The peptide-resin was then reacted with 6 eq. hydroxyacetic acid as a preactivated HObt-ester as described above and the coupling was continued for 24 h. Excess reagent was removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min). The acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test. The next amino acid according to the sequence (leucine) was coupled as preformed symmetrical anhydride as described above and the reaction was continued for 2 h. Excess reagent was then removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min). A small resin-sample was removed in order to check the coupling yield, which was estimated as described above, and found to be ~100%. The following amino acid according to the sequence was coupled as preformed Fmocprotected HObt esters (3 eq.) in DMF (5 ml) generated by means of DIC. Before the last two couplings the resin was washed with a solution of Dhbt-OH (80 mg in 25 ml), in order to follow the disappearance of the yellow colour as the coupling reaction proceeded. When the yellow colour was no longer visible the couplings were interrupted by washing the resin with DMF (5 x ml, 5 min each). The acylations were then checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80"C as earlier described. After completed synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF ml, 1 min each), DCM (3x5 ml, 1 min each), diethyl ether ml, 1 min each) and dried in vacuo.

The peptide was cleaved from the resin as described above freeze dried from ammonium hydrogencarbonate (0.1 The crude freeze dried product was analysed by HPLC and found to be homogeneous without deletion and Fmoc-protected sequences. The purity was found to be better than 90% and the identity of the peptide was confirmed by ES-MS. Yield 83%.

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 39 7. Peptide synthesis of Fmoc-Phe-Leu-((S)-(+)-Ma)-Glu 6 -OH on NovaSyn TentaGel.

Dry NovaSyn TG resin (0.29 mmol/g, 250 mg) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration and treated as described under "batchwise peptide synthesis on PEG-PS" until finishing the pre-sequence Glu 6 The peptide-resin was then reacted with 6 eq. (S)-(+)-mandelic acid as a preactivated HObt-ester as described above and the coupling was continued for 24 h. Excess reagent was removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min). The acylation was checked by the ninhydrin test. The next amino acid according to the sequence (leucine) was coupled as preformed symmetrical anhydride as described above and the reaction was continued for 2 h. Excess reagent was then removed by DMF washing (12 min flow rate 1 ml/min). A small resin-sample was removed in order to check the coupling yield, which was estimated as described above, and found to be 90%. The following amino acid according to the sequence was coupled as preformed Fmoc-protected HObt esters (3 eq.) in DMF (5 ml) generated by means of DIC. Before the last two couplings the resin was washed with a solution of Dhbt-OH (80 mg in 25 ml), in order to follow the disappearance of the yellow colour as the coupling reaction proceeded. When the yellow colour was no longer visible the couplings were interrupted by washing the resin with DMF (5 x 5 ml, 5 min each). The acylations were then checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80°C as earlier described. After completed synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF (3x5 ml, 1 min each), DCM (3x5 ml, 1 min each), diethyl ether (3x5 ml, 1 min each) and dried in vacuo.

The peptide was cleaved from the resin as described above freeze dried from ammonium hydrogencarbonate (0.1 The crude freeze dried product was analysed by HPLC and found to be homogeneous without deletion and Fmoc-protected sequences. The purity was found to be better than 90% and the identity of the peptide was confirmed by ES-MS. Yield 71%.

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 8. Peptide synthesis of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-Lyss-OH on Nova- Syn TentaGel.

Dry NovaSyn TG resin (0.29 mmol/g, 250 mg) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration and treated as described under "batchwise peptide synthesis on PEG-PS" until finishing the pre-sequence Lys 6 The following amino acids forming the Leu-enkephalin sequence were coupled as preformed Fmoc-protected HObt esters (3 eq.) in DMF (5 ml) generated by means of DIC. Before each of the last five couplings the resin was washed with a solution of Dhbt-OH mg in 25 ml), in order to follow the disappearance of the yellow colour as the coupling reaction proceed. When the yellow colour was no longer visible the couplings were interrupted by washing the resin with DMF (5 x 5 ml, 5 min each). The acylations were then checked by the ninhydrin test performed at as earlier described. After completed synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF (3x5 ml, 1 min each), DCM ml, 1 min each), diethyl ether (3x5 ml, 1 min each) and dried in vacuo.

The peptide was cleaved from the resin as described above and freeze dried from acetic acid. The crude freeze dried product was analysed by HPLC and found to be homogeneous without deletion and Fmoc-protected sequences. The purity was found to be better than 98% and the identity of the peptide was confirmed by ES-MS. Yield 84%.

9. Peptide synthesis of H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu- Glue-OH on NovaSyn TentaGel.

Dry NovaSyn TG resin (0.29 mmol/g, 250 mg) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration and treated as described under "batchwise peptide synthesis on PEG-PS" until finishing the pre-sequence Glu 6 The following amino acids forming the DSIP sequence were coupled as preformed Fmoc-protected HObt esters (3 eq.) in DMF (5 ml) WO 98/11126 PCTDK97/00376 41 generated by means of DIC. Before each of the last nine couplings the resin was washed with a solution of Dhbt-OH mg in 25 ml), in order to follow the disappearance of the yellow colour as the coupling reaction proceeds. When the yellow colour was no longer visible the couplings were interrupt by washing the resin with DMF (5 x 5 ml, 5 min each) The acylations were then checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 80 0 C as earlier described. After completed synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF (3x5 ml, 1 min each), DCM (3x5 ml, 1 min each), diethyl ether (3x5 ml, 1 min each), and dried in vacuo.

The peptide was cleaved from the resin as described above and freeze dried from acetic acid. The crude freeze dried product was analysed by HPLC and found to be homogeneous without deletion and Fmoc-protected sequences. The purity was found to be better than 98% and the identity of the peptide was confirmed by ES-MS. Yield 10. Peptide synthesis of H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu- (LysGlu) 3 -OH on NovaSyn TentaGel.

Dry NovaSyn TG resin (0.29 mmol/g, 250 mg) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration and treated as described under "batchwise peptide synthesis on PEG-PS" until finishing the pre-sequence (LysGlu) 3 The following amino acids forming the DSIP sequence were coupled as preformed Fmoc-protected HObt esters (3 eq.) in DMF (5 ml) generated by means of DIC. Before each of the last nine couplings the resin was washed with a solution of Dhbt-OH (80 mg in 25 ml), in order to follow the disappearance of the yellow colour as the coupling reaction proceeds. When the yellow colour was no longer visible the couplings were interrupt by washing the resin with DMF (5 x 5 ml, 5 min each) The acylations were then checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 800C as earlier described. After completed WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 42 synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF (3x5 ml, 1 min each), DCM (3x5 ml, 1 min each), diethyl ether (3x5 ml, 1 min each), and dried in vacuo.

The peptide was cleaved from the resin as described above and freeze dried from acetic acid. The crude freeze dried product was analysed by HPLC and found to be homogeneous without deletion and Fmoc-protected sequences. The purity was found to be better than 98% and the identity of the peptide was confirmed by ES-MS. Yield 91%.

11. Peptide synthesis of H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu- OH (DSIP) on NovaSyn TentaGel.

Dry NovaSyn TG resin (0.29 mmol/g, 250 mg) was placed in a polyethylene vessel equipped with a polypropylene filter for filtration and treated as described under "batchwise peptide synthesis on PEG-PS" The first amino acid was coupled as a preformed symmetrical anhydride as described above. The coupling yields of the first Fmoc-protected amino acids were estimated as described above. It was in all cases better than The following amino acids forming the DSIP sequence were coupled as preformed Fmoc-protected HObt esters (3 eq.) in DMF ml) generated by means of DIC. Before each of the last eight couplings the resin was washed with a solution of Dhbt-OH mg in 25 ml), in order to follow the disappearance of the yellow colour as the coupling reaction proceeds. When the yellow colour was no longer visible the couplings were interrupt by washing the resin with DMF (5 x 5 ml, 5 min each).

The acylations were then checked by the ninhydrin test performed at 800C as earlier described. After completed synthesis the peptide-resin was washed with DMF (3x5 ml, 1 min each), DCM (3x5 ml, 1 min each), diethyl ether (3x5 ml, 1 min each), and dried in vacuo.

The peptide was cleaved from the resin as described above and freeze dried from acetic acid. The crude freeze dried product WO 98/11126 PCTIDK97/00376 43 was analysed by HPLC and found to be homogeneous without deletion and Fmoc-protected sequences. The purity was found to be better than 98% and the identity of the peptide was confirmed by ES-MS. Yield 78%.

General synthesis 12. Synthesis of Fmoc-Phe-Leu-OH: g (3.6 mmol) H-Phe-Leu-OH was dissolved in 25 ml 10% sodium carbonate w/v and 25 ml dioxane was added. To this mixture 1.24 g (3.68 mmol) FmocNHS dissolved in 10 ml dioxane was added drop wise. The resulting mixture was stirred over night at room temperature. The dioxane was removed by evaporation in vacuo and the resulting basic aqueous solution was extracted 3 times with ether (5 ml each). The pH was adjusted to 2 by adding HC1 (1 M) and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate 3 times (20 ml each). The combined ethyl acetate phase was washed with water 3 times (10 ml each), and evaporated to dryness. The remanence was crystallised by adding petroleum ether. Yield 1.45 g Mp. 153-158; MS calculated 500.59 found MH+: 501.3.

13. Synthesis of Z-Glu(OtBu)-Glu(OtBu)-OtBu: 1.14 g (3.38 mmol) Z-Glu(OtBu)-OH, 0.457 g HOBt (3.38 mmol) and 520 l DIC (3.38 mmol) was dissolved in 10 ml THF and preactivated for 10 min, and added to a solution of 1.0 g (3.38 mmol) H-Glu(OtBu)-OtBu, HC1 in 10 ml THF. The mixture was stirred over night at room temperature. The solvent was removed by evaporation in vacuo, and the residue was dissolved in DCM (10 ml) and extracted with 10% acetic acid water v/v 3 times ml each) and 10% sodium hydrogencarbonate water w/v 3 times ml each) and finally with water 2 times (10 ml each). The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate filtered and evaporated. The residue a colourless oil was used directly without further purification.

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 44 14. Synthesis of Z-Glu-Glu-OH: The oil from 13 was dissolved in 20 ml 50% TFA-DCM v/v and stirred for 2 h at room temperature. The solution was evaporated to dryness and the remanence was crystallised from petroleum ether. Yield 1.2 g Mp. 174-176°C; MS: calculated 410.4, found MH+ 411.0.

Hydrolysis in enzyme solution test The decomposition of the peptide prodrug and the corresponding peptide (X-OH) is studied at 37°C in a 0.05 M phosphate buffer solution. The buffer solutions contains leucine aminopeptidase (25 u/ml) at pH 7.4, or carboxypeptidase A (25 u/ml) at pH 7.4. The decomposition is initiated by addition of an aliquot (~10-7-10 8 mol) from a stock solution of the peptide or peptide prodrug, respectively, to the test solution giving a total volume of ~5 ml reaction mixture which is kept in a water-bath at 37 0 C. At appropriate time intervals samples of 50 pl are withdrawn and analysed by reversed phase HPLC as described above without previous precipitation of proteins. Pseudo-first-order rate constants for the degradation of the peptide prodrog and the corresponding peptide (X-OH) are determined from the slopes kobs) of the linear plots of the logarithm to the concentration of the residual derivative (HPLC peak heights) against time using the formula t,=(ln2) (kob) The ratio between the half-life of the prodrug and the corresponding peptide is calculated according to the formula: ratio=(t (prodrug) (X-OH) Kinetic Measurements Hydrolysis in buffer solution.

The decomposition of some of the peptide prodrugs were studied in aqueous phosphate or carbonate buffer solutions with a total WO 98/11126 PCTIBK97/00376 buffer concentration of 0.1 0.05 M. In order to maintain a constant ionic strength of 0.5 a calculated amount of potassium chloride was added to the buffer solutions unless otherwise stated. The temperature was kept at 37 0 C during the degradation studies and pH was adjusted by adding hydrochloric acid (4M) or sodium hydroxide Hydrolysis experiments were carried out at pH 2, 7.4, and 11.

The rates of decomposition were determined by using reversed phase HPLC. The mobile phase systems used for isocratic separation were 20% acetonitrile 79.9% water 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid or 10% acetonitrile 89.9% water 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. When using a linear gradient (40 100% B in min) buffer A was 0.1% TFA in water v/v and buffer B was acetonitrile 9.9% water 0.1% TFA v/v.

Hydrolysis in enzyme solution.

The decomposition of the peptides and the peptide prodrugs were studied at 37 0 C in a 0.05 M phosphate buffer solution containing leucine aminopeptidase (25 u/ml) at pH 7.4, carboxypeptidase A (25 u/ml) at pH 7.4, a-chymotrypsin u/ml) at pH 7.4, pepsin A (25 u/ml) at pH 2.0, or butyryl cholinesterase (at two concentrations: 25 and 50 u/ml) at pH 7.4. The decomposition was initiated by adding an aliquot (-10-7-10 mol) from a stock solution of the peptide or peptide prodrug to the test solution giving a total volume of ~5 ml reaction mixture which was kept in a water-bath at 37 0 C and at appropriate intervals samples of ~50 pl were withdrawn and analysed by reversed phase HPLC as described above without previous precipitation of proteins. Pseudo-first-order rate constants for the degradations were determined from the slopes kobs) of the linear plots of the logarithm to the concentration of the residual derivative (HPLC peak heights) against time using the formula t= (ln2)/(kobs). The individual assay conditions are given in the below examples.

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 46 Hydrolysis in plasma solution The decomposition of the peptides and the peptide prodrugs were studied at 37 0 C in 80% human plasma. The decomposition was initiated by adding an aliquot (-10-7-10 8 mol) from a stock solution of the peptide to the test solution giving a total volume of ~5 ml reaction mixture which was kept in a water-bath at 37 0 C and at appropriate intervals samples of ~50 p.1 were withdrawn and the samples were treated with 50 .1 of 2% (w/v) solution of zinc sulphate in methanol-water (1:1 v/v) to deproteinize the samples and stop the reactions. After immediate centrifugation for 3 min. at 13000 rpm., 20 .1 of the clear supernatant was analysed by reverse phase HPLC as described previously. Pseudo-first-order rate constants for the degradations were determined from the slopes kobs) of the linear plots of the logarithm to the concentration of the residual derivative (HPLC peak heights) against time using the formula t= (ln2)/(kobs). The individual assay conditions are given in the below examples.

H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-(Glu) 6

-OH:

Hydrolysis in buffer solution The degradation of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-(Glu) -OH x 10 6

M)

was studied in different aqueous buffers (0.1 M) as described above. The decomposition was followed at pH 2, pH 7.4 and pH 11. The peptide was found stable at the above mentioned pH values, thus only of the peptide was degraded over a period of 24 h.

Hydrolysis in leucine aminopeptidase The degradation of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-(Glu) -OH (~10 5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing leucine aminopeptidase (25 u/ml) was studied as described above. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was determined as earlier WO 8/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 47 described and was found to be 5.2 x 10- 3 min-'. The half-life was calculated to 133 min.

Hydrolysis in carboxypeptidase

A

The degradation of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-(Glu) -OH (~10- 5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing carboxypeptidase A (25 u/ml) was studied as described above.

The peptide was characterised as stable. Approximately 15% of the peptide was degraded over a period of 24 h.

H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-(Lys) 6

-OH

Hydrolysis in leucine aminopetidase The degradation of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-(Lys) -OH (-10-s M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing leucine aminopeptidase (25 u/ml) was studied as described above. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was determined as earlier described and was found to be 3.6 x 10- 3 min-'. The half-life was calculated to 191 min.

Hydrolysis in pepsin A The degradation of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-(Lys) -OH (~10- 5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 2.0) containing pepsin A (25 u/ml) was studied as described above. The pseudo-firstorder rate constant was determined as earlier described and was found to be 1.2 x 10- 3 min-'. The half-life was calculated to 580 min.

Fmoc-Phe-Leu- -mandelic acid) (Glu) 6

-OH:

Hydrolysis in butyryl cholinesterase The hydrolysis of the ester linkage generated via mandelic acid in the peptide prodrug Fmoc-Phe-Leu-((S)-(+)-mandelic acid)- (Glu) 6 -OH (~10- 5 M) was studied in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing butyryl cholinesterase u/ml) as described above. The half-life was estimated to tl/2 WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 48 212 min as described under general procedures. Based on the recovery of Fmoc-Phe-Leu-OH the half-life was estimated to t/z 2 164 min. The difference in the values is probably due to further degradation of Fmoc-Phe-Leu-OH at urethane the bond in the Fmoc protecting group.

Fmoc-Phe-Leu- (hydroxyacetic acid) -(Glu) 6

-OH:

Hydrolysis in butyryl cholinesterase The hydrolysis of the ester linkage generated via hydroxyacetic acid in the peptide prodrug Fmoc-Phe-Leu-(hydroxyacetic acid)- (Glu) 6 -OH (-10 5 M) was studied in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing butyryl cholinesterase u/ml) as described above. Based on the recovery of Fmoc-Phe- Leu-OH the half-life was estimated to tl/2 144 min.

Fmoc-Phe-Leu-OH: Hydrolysis in Butyryl cholinesterase The degradation of Fmoc-Phe-Leu-OH x 10- 5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing butyryl cholinesterase (50 u/ml) was studied as described above. The half-life was estimated to ti/, 25 h.

H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu- -mandelic acid) (Glu) 6

-OH:

Hydrolysis in buffer solution The degradation of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu- ((S)-(+)-mandelic acid)-(Glu) 6 -OH (1 x 10 5 M) was studied in different aqueous buffers (0.1 M) as described above. The decomposition was followed at pH 2, pH 7.4 and pH 11. The peptide was characterised as stable at the above mentioned pH values, thus less than 5 of the peptide was degraded over a period of 24 h.

WO 98/11126 PCT1DK97/00376 49 Hydrolysis in leucine aminopeptidase The degradation of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-((S)-(+)-mandelic acid)-(Glu) 6 -OH (1 x 10- 5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing leucine aminopeptidase u/ml) was studied as described above. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was determined as earlier described and the halflife was calculated to 93 min.

Hydrolysis in carboxypeptidase A The degradation of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-((S)-(+)-mandelic acid)-(Glu) 6 -OH (1 x 10 5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing carboxypeptidase A (25 u/ml) was studied as described above. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was determined as earlier described and the half-life was calculated to 10.3 min.

Hydrolysis in butyryl cholinesterase The hydrolysis of the ester linkage generated via mandelic acid in the peptide prodrug H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-((S)-(+)-mandelic acid)-(Glu) 6 -OH (1.75 x 10 5 M) was studied in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing butyryl cholinesterase u/ml) as described above. The half-life was estimated to ti/2 50.2 min.

H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu- (Hydroxyacetic acid) (Glu) 6

-OH:

Hydrolysis in buffer solution The decomposition of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-(hydroxyacetic acid)-(Glu) 6 -OH (1 x 10 5 M) was studied in different aqueous buffers (0.1 M) as described above. The decomposition was followed at pH 2, pH 7.4 and pH 11. The peptide was characterised as stable at the above mentioned pH values, thus less than 5% of the peptide was degraded over a period of 24 h.

WO98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 Hydrolysis in leucine aminopeptidase The degradation of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-(Hydroxyacetic acid)- (Glu) 6 -OH (1 x 10 5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing leucine aminopeptidase (25 u/ml) was studied as described above. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was determined as earlier described and the half-life was calculated to 16.1 min.

Hydrolysis in carboxypeptidase

A

The degradation of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-(Hydroxyacetic acid)- (Glu) 6 -OH (1 x 10-5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing carboxypeptidase A 25 (u/ml) was studied as described above. The peptide was characterised as stable, thus less than 13% of the peptide was degraded over a period of 24 h.

Hydrolysis in butyryl cholinesterase The hydrolysis of the ester linkage generated via hydroxyacetic acid in the peptide prodrug H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu- (Hydroxyacetic acid)-(Glu)6-OH (1.75 x 10 5 M) was studied in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing butyryl cholinesterase (25 u/ml or 50 u/ml) as described above. The half-life was estimated using 25 u butyryl cholinesterase/ml to ti/ 2 119.3 min and ti/2 86.6 min when 50 u/ml was used.

Hydrolysis in human plasma The decomposition of the peptide prodrug H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu- (Hydroxyacetic acid)-(Glu) 6 -OH was studied by adding 1 ml 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) of the peptide (7 x 10 5 M) at 37°C to 4 ml human plasma and treated as described above. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was determined as earlier described and the half-life was calculated to ti/2 =19.2 min.

WO 98/11126 PCTIDK97/00376 51 Z-Glu-Glu-OH: Hydrolysis in carboxypeptidase

A

The degradation of Z-Glu-Glu-OH (1 x 10 5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing carboxypeptidase A (25 u/ml) was studied as described above.

The peptide was characterised as stable over a period of 24 h.

H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu-(Lys-Glu)

-OH

Hydrolysis in carboxypeptidase A The degradation of H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu-(Lys- Glu) 3 -OH (~10 5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing carboxypeptidase A 25 (u/ml) was studied as described above. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was determined as earlier described and the half-life was calculated to 396 min.

Hydrolysis in leucine aminopeptidase The degradation of H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu-(Lys- Glu) 3 -OH (~10-5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing leucine aminopeptidase (25 u/ml) was studied as described above. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was determined as earlier described and the half-life was calculated to 145 min.

Hydrolysis in a-chymotrypsin The degradation of H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu-(Lys- Glu) 3 -OH (~10 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing a-chymotrypsin (25 u/ml) was studied as described above. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was determined as earlier described and the half-life was calculated to 613 min.

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 52 Hydrolysis in pepsin A The degradation of H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu-(Lys- Glu) 3 -OH (~10 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 2.0) containing pepsin A (25 u/ml) was studied as described above. The peptide was characterised as stable.

H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu- (Glu) 6

-OH

Hydrolysis in a-chymotrypsin The degradation of H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu- (Glu),-OH (~10- 5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing a-chymotrypsin (25 u/ml) was studied as described above. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was determined as earlier described and the half-life was calculated to 523 min.

H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu-OH Hydrolysis in leucine aminopeptidase The degradation of H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu-OH 5 M) in 0.05 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4) containing leucine aminopeptidase (25 u/ml) was studied as described above. The half-life was calculated to be less than 20 min.

In Vitro Studies p-opioid receptor activity 1 The affinity of the prodrugs of the invention for the p-opioid receptor in calf brain was determined as described by Kristensen et al. (1994) Kristensen, C.B. Christensen, L.L.

Christrup, and L.C. Nielsen (1994). The mul, mu 2 delta, kappa opioid receptor binding profiles of methadone stereoisomers and morphine. Life Sci. 56, PL45-PL50.]. The activity of the WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 53 prodrugs was determined in freshly made solutions and in solutions stored for 20 h at room temperature.

The experimental data are summarised in Table 1.

Table 1. Inhibition of 3H-DAMGO (2 nM) ICso SEM (nM) Compound 2 hours 20 hours Leu-enkephalin-((R)-(-)-Ma)-(Lys)6-OH 100 11 200 61 Leu-enkephalin-((S)-(+)-Ma)-(Lys)s-OH 150 73 110 9 Leu-enkephalin-((R)-(-)-Ma)-(Glu)6-OH 3500 3200 220 42 Leu-enkephalin-((S)-(+)-Ma)-(Glu) -OH 1200 910 190 Leu-enkephalin-(R(-)-Ma)-(LysGlu)3-OH 1200 920 170 63 Leu-enkephalin-(S (+)-Ma)-(LysGlu) 3 -OH 450 210 230 73 Leu-enkephalin-OH 97 9 56 14 Met-enkephalin-OH 30 Naloxone 9 1 4 2 DAMGO 7 1 8 3 p-opioid receptor activity 2 The affinity of the prodrugs of the invention as t-opioid receptor agonists was determined using the isolated mouse vas deferens in vitro model described by Kramer et al. (1997) [T.H.

Kramer, H. Bartosz-Bechowski, P. Davis, V.J. Hruby, and F.

Porreca (1997). Extraordinary potency of a novel delta opioid receptor agonist is due in part to increased efficacy. Life Sci. 61:2, 129-135.]. The activity of the prodrugs was determined in freshly made solutions and in solutions stored for 48 h at room temperature. The experimental data are summarised in Table 2 and 3.

WO 99/11126 54 Table 2. Vas Deferens activity Peptide/prodrug Leu-enkephalin- (Lys) 6

-OH

Leu-enkephalin- (Lys) 6

;-OH

Leu-enkephal in- (Glu) 6-01- Leu-enkephalil- -Ma) (Glu) r,-OH Leu-enkephalin- (LysGlu) 3

-OH

Leu-enkephalin- (LysGlu) 3

-OH

Leu-enkephalin-OH reduction at 100 nM: a: aa: PCT/DIC97/00376 Table 3. Vas Deferens activity Peptide/prodrug Ic.

50 SEM (nM) Leu-enkephalin- (Lys) 6 -OH 590 ±200 Leu-enkephalin- -(Lys) 6-OH 240 ±130 Leu-enkephalin-((R) Glu) 6OH 110 ±23 Leu-enkephalin-((S) 58 ±11 Leu-enkephalin-( -(LysGlu) 3 -OH 140 ±11 Leu-enkephalin-(S)+-Ma) LysGlu) 3 0 H 200 ±26 Leu- enkephal1in-OH 41 ±13 In Vivo Studies Analgesic activity Attempts to determine the in vivo activity in mouse were carried out using the grid-shock model described by Swedberg (1994) Swedberg (1994) The mouse grid-shock analgesia test: pharmacological characterization of latency to vocalization threshold as an index of antinociception. J.

Pha-rmacol. Exp. Ther. 269:3, 1021-1028.]. The experimental results are sununerised in Table 4.

WO 98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 Table 4. Mouse analgesic activity Prodrug i.p. i.v.

Leu-enkephalin-( (Lys) 6-OH NA NT Leu-enkephalin- (Lys) -OH WA WA Leu-enkephalin- 6-OH NT NT Leu-enkephalin- 6-OH NT NT Leu-enkephalin- 3 -OH NA NT Leu-enkephalin-((S)-(+)-Ma)-(LysGlu) 3 -OH NA NT NT: Not tested. NA: Not active. WA: Weakly active at 20 mg/kg.

Conclusion Since native enkephalin degrades with a half-life of minutes in 80% human plasma, with a half-life of 10.0 minutes in aminopeptidase (20 u/ml), and with a half-life of minutes in carboxypeptidase (1 u/ml) (see G.J. Rasmussen and H.Bundgaard, Int. J. Pharm., 79, pp 113-122 (1991)), it is concluded that the invention provides a significant protection of a peptide sequence compared with the native peptide sequence. This is further corroborated by the results obtained for DSIP; native DSIP degrades with a half-life of less than minutes in leucine aminopeptidase (25 u/ml), whereas DSIP- (LysGlu) 3 -OH degrades with a half-life of 145 minutes under identical conditions. In general, the half-lives of presequence-containing DSIP molecules in solutions containing achymotrypsin or carboxypeptidase A (25 u/ml) were in the order of several hours. Although native DSIP has not been tested under these conditions it must be expected that the corresponding half-lives are significantly lower than the values obtained for the pre-sequence-containing DSIP molecules as it is well established that native DSIP is rapidly degraded in both plasma and tissue extracts (see H.L. Lee, "Peptide and Protein Drug Delivery", Marcel Dekker Inc. 1991, Chapter 9) WO98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 56 Furthermore, the peptide prodrugs tested were all cleaved by butyryl cholinesterase indicating a readily bioreversibility.

From the in vitro tests performed it can be concluded that the pre-sequence influences the biological activity significantly.

The results presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3 clearly indicate that the prodrugs of the invention have a reduced affinity towards the p-opoid receptor compared to native Leu-enkephalin.

Thus, in order to exert the desired activity, in this case binding to the u-opoid receptor, the prodrug must be hydrolysed by e.g. blood plasma enzymes such as butyryl cholinesterase in order to release the native pharmaceutically active peptide.

The difference between the results obtained from freshly prepared solutions and solutions kept at room temperature for or 48 h, may be due to two different factors: The solutions contaning the prodrugs of the invention may be hydrolysed to some extent when stored for 20 or 48 h thereby releasing the native Leu-enkaphalin. However, as shown by the kinetic measurements, the prodrugs of the invention are stable over the entire pH range. The most pronounced effect on standing is observed when applying the pre-sequence (Glu) 6 Thus, a more plausible explanation is the rather low water-solubility of the (Glu) 6 -containing prodrugs: It is very likely that due to slow solution kinetics only a fraction of the prodrug is dissolved in the freshly prepared solutions. However, when left for 20 or 48 h in solution the compounds will slowly dissolve and thereby increasing the available amount of active substance in the assays.

From the in vivo analgesia activity studies it can be concluded that the pre-sequence as well as the linker is of importance.

Apparently, the positively charged pre-sequence (Lys) 6 in combination with the enantiomer of mandelic acid exhibited the desired effect whereas enkephalin containing the pre- WO98/11126 PCT/DK97/00376 57 sequence (Lys) 6 in combination with the enantiomer of mandelic acid did not show any activity. Furthermore, enkephalin prodrugs with the electroneutral pre-sequence (LysGlu) 3 whether in combination with or mandelic acid did not show the desired effect. In conclusion, the combination of linker and pre-sequence is of importance in e.g. the ability of the prodrugs of the invention to cross biological barriers such as the blood-brain-barrier, and the present invention opens up the prospect of transporting prodrugs to the desired region by selecting an appropriate combination of linker and pre-sequence.

58 SEQUENCE

LISTING

GENERAL

INFORMATION:

APPLICANT:

NAME: Larsen~, Bjarne Due STREET: Arildsgaard 5, 1 th.

CITY: Broenshoej COUNTRY:

DK

POSTAL CODE (ZIP): DK-2700 (ii) TITLE OF INVENTION: PEPTIDE PRODRUGS CONTAINING AN ALPHA-HYDROXYACID

LINKER

(iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 136 (iv) COMPUTER READABLE

FORM:

MEDIUM TYPE: Floppy disk COMPUTER: IBM PC compatible 00000(C) OPERATING SYSTEM:

PC-DOS/MS-DOS

SOFTWARE: PatentIn Release Version #1.30 S CURRENT APPLICATION

DATA:

APPLICATION

NUMBER:

FILING DATE: (vi) PRIOR APPLICATION

DATA:

APPLICATION NUMBER: PCT/DK97/ 0037 6 FILING DATE: 0 9-SEP-1997 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1: Lys Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS-

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear 59 (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2: Glu Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 6:06 oo*@ (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3: Lys Glu Lys Lys 1 ***o0 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4: Lys Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Lys Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6: Glu Glu Lys Lys 000: 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7: *o SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7: Glu Lys Gly Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8: S(i) SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

S. LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:8: Glu Lys Lys Glu 1 61 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:9: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:9: Lys Glu Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID I(i) SEQUENCE

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LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:11: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

C LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1l: Lys Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:12: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

62 LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:12: Glu Glu Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:13: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear @0 (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide e e 0S (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:13: SGlu Glu Lys Glu INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:14: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear 0 (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:14: G&u Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear 63 (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:16: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 4 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide ego* 9&06 00*.

0 0000 *0o *0O

SO

q S 0

S.

OSS e 0

S

0*SS egos

S

5 0 *550 0@ @0 0 @600 00 0

S

00 (xi) Glu 1 SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:16: Glu Glu Glu INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:17: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:17: Lys Lys Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:18: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 64 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:18: Glu Lys Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:19: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID N0:19: Lys Glu Lys Lys Lys i INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID e SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID SLys .Lys Glu Lys Lys O• 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:21: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid o*

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:21: Lys Lys Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:22: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:22: Lys Lys Lys Lys Glu 1 0: INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:23: s*: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid 0 0

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:23: Glu Glu Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:24: 0 SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:24: Glu Lys Glu Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID 66 SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Glu Lys Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:26: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide

SOS.

S o 55..

0

S

0@

S

5 0

S

0* (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:26: Glu Lys Lys Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:27: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:27: Lys Glu Glu Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:28: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid 67

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:28: Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:29: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 0e 0 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:29: Lys Glu Lys Lys Glu 1 000 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Lys Glu Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:31: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 68 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:31: Lys Lys Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:32: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide So. (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:32: Lys Lys Lys Glu Glu o2, 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:33: 0O OO SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:33: Lys Lys Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:34: i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: S* LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 69 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:34: Lys Glu Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Glu Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:36: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: S(A) LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:36: *s*e Lys Glu Glu Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:37: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

0 TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:37: Glu Lys Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:38: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) Glu SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:38: Lys Glu Glu Lys

S

*0O* 0 0*

S

*0 0000 0*

S

OS..

0 @09* 9 e 0 es..

INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:39: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:39: Glu Glu Lys Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Glu Glu Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:41: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

7 1 LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:41: Glu Glu Glu Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:42: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear ,6 (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 0 **0 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:42: Lys Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:43: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

0* LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

e TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide e (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:43:

G

l u Lys Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:44: ';SQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 00* 0 0060 *000 00*0 09000 00 0 so 0.

00 0 0

S

S.

em 00 0 .i 0.

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:44: Glu Glu Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Glu Glu Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:46: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:46: Glu Glu Glu Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:47: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 73 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:47: Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:48: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:48: Lys Lys Lys Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:49: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide c 0*ee 0 e g.

e ee a.

a.

000gc a,

S

C

e

S

0 0

S

a @0 *50 0 a S S ease 0* S a (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:49: Glu Lys Lys Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID 74 Lys Glu Lys Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:51: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:51: Lys Lys Glu Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:52: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

0 TOPOLOGY: linear S* (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide *0 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:52: Lys Lys Lys Glu Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:53: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

S(D) TOPOLOGY: linear *0 (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:53: Lys Lys Lys Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:54: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:54: Lys Lys Lys Lys Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

S(A) LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid So

STRANDEDNESS:

e TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Glu Glu Lys Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:56: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:56: Glu Lys Glu Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:57: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid 76

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:57: Glu Lys Lys Glu Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:58: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

ooo TOPOLOGY: linear fee (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide g (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:58: Glu Lys Lys Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:59: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:59: 00. Glu Lys Lys Lys Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 77 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Glu Glu Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:61: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:61: Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys Lys 1 ooo0oS INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:62: o(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:62: Lys Glu Lys Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:63: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 78 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:63: Lys Glu Lys Lys Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:64: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:64: 0 Lys Lys Glu Glu Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:66: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

Ss. LENGTH: 6 amino acids @0 TYPE: amino acid S STRANDEDNESS: TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:66: Lys Lys Glu Lys Lys Glu 1 79 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:67: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:67: Lys Lys Lys Glu Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:68: se SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

S(A) LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:68: Lys Lys Lys Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:69: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:69: Lys Lys Lys Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Glu Glu Glu Lys Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FORSEQ ID NO:71: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 0S@S 0O** 0 S 0O 0S 000 S S

S

0

S

S.

0

S.

S

e g.

0* S

SO

0O (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:71: Glu Glu Lys Glu Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:72: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:72: Glu Glu Lys Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:73: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear 81 (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:73: Glu Glu Lys Lys Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:74: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 0e.

0 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:74: Glu Lys Glu Glu Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide S (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Glu Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys 1 S* INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:76: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:76: Glu Lys Glu Lys Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:77: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:77: Glu Lys Lys Glu Glu Lys S1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:78: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:78: Glu Lys Lys Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:79: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids 0 TYPE: amino acid 50

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:79: Glu Lys Lys Lys Glu Glu 83 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) Lys 1 SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Lys Glu Glu Glu 0 e*ee *o INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:81: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide Cece

C

S*

eee.

eeoc e g e 0 e ee 0 o go (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:81: Lys Lys Glu Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:82: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:82: Lys Lys Glu Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:83: 84 SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:83: Lys Lys Glu Glu Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:84: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids of: TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear .0 MOLECULE TYPE: peptide

*O

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:84: Lys Glu Lys Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID 0000 SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide o (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys Glu *5 0 06 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:86: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:86: Lys Glu Lys Glu Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:87: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:87: S* Lys Glu Glu Lys Lys Glu 1 00* INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:88: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION:. SEQ ID NO:88: Lys Glu Glu Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:89: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 06eC 0dS* e g.

0 11 4000 00 .@00 a go

C

060 *5 a. S

S

0O .r (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:89: Lys Glu Glu Glu Lys Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Lys Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:91: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:91: Lys Glu Lys Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:92: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 87 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:92: Lys Glu Glu Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:93: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 0 368* 0, 0*0O 0e 6 0*

S

a a 5.5.

a 005.

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:93: Lys Glu Glu Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:94: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:94: Lys Glu Glu Glu Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) Glu 1 SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Lys Lys Glu Glu Glu 88 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:96: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide

S

e *0 *g *o 0 o* a *o o *D*ge (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:96: Glu Lys Glu Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:97: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:97: Glu Lys Glu Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:98: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:98: Glu Lys Glu Glu Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:99: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

89 LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:99: Glu Glu Lys Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:100: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide

COOS

qr~ 0006 Oq

S

0e

S

5

S

C

@0

S

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:100: Glu Glu Lys Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:101: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:101: Glu Glu Lys Glu Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:102: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:102: Glu Glu Glu Lys Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:103: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:103: Glu Glu Glu Lys Glu Lys 1 "I INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:104: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: we* LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear **oo (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide

S*

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:104: Glu Glu Glu Glu Lys Lys S1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:105: O SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 91 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:105: Lys Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:106: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:106: Glu Lys Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:107: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide e g.

5 Ge 0S

S

C

f 0:06 4* 0 a :o (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:107: Glu Glu Lys Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:108: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:108: Glu Glu Glu Lys Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:109: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:109: Glu Glu Glu Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:110: 0* SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear MOLECULE TYPE: peptide *0 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:110: Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Lys 1 **o INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:111: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: s.o* LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:111: Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:112: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 1 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "Xaa denotes Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gln, Asp, Arg, His, Met Orn, and amino acids as defined by formula II" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:112: Xaa Lys Glu Lys Glu 1 4000 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:113: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide *oo* (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 1 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "Xaa denotes Ala, Leu, SSer, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gln, Asp, Arg, His, Met Orn, and amino acids as defined by formula II" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:113: Xaa Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:114: o* SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide 94 (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 1 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "Xaa denotes Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Arg, His, Met Orn, and amino acids as defined by formula II" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:114: Xaa Glu Lys Glu Lys 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:115: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide S (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 1 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "Xaa denotes Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gln, Asp, Arg, His, Met Orn, and amino acids as defined by formula II" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:115: Xaa Glu Lys Glu Lys Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:116: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide

FEATURE:

NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "Xaa denotes Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gln, Asp, Arg, His, Met Orn, and amino acids as defined by formula

II"

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:116: Lys Glu Lys Glu Xaa 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:117: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 6 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "Xaa denotes Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Arg, His, Met Orn, and amino acids as defined by formula

II"

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:117: :Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys Xaa 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:118: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 'mS s(D) OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "Xaa denotes Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gln, Asp, Arg, His, Met Orn, and amino acids as defined by formula II" D.m (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:118: S• Glu Lys Glu Lys Xaa 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:119: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 6 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 6 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "Xaa denotes Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gln, Asp, Arg, His, Met Orn, and amino acids as defined by formula II" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:119: Glu Lys Glu Lys Glu Xaa 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:120: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 9 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:120: Trp Ala Gly Gly Asp Ala Ser Gly Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:121: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

o LENGTH: 11 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

S*o TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 5..6 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "hydroxyacetic acid linker" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:121: Tyr Gly Gly Phe Leu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 5 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:122: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:122: Tyr Gly Gly Phe Leu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:123: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 11 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide o (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 5..6 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= )-mandelic acid linker" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:123: Tyr Gly Gly Phe Leu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 5 seeO INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:124: i SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 11 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

o TOPOLOGY: linear S(Cii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 5..6 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "(R)-(-)-mandelic acid linker" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:124: Tyr Gly Gly Phe Leu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu'Glu 1 5 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:125: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 11 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 5..6 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "(S)-(+)-mandelic acid linker" 0:90 *000 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:125: Tyr Gly Gly Phe Leu Lys Lys Lys Lys Lys Lys 1 5 S INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:126: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 11 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 5..6 000 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "(R)-(-)-mandelic acid linker" xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:126: T y r Gly Gly Phe Leu Lys Lys Lys Lys Lys Lys 1 5 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:127: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 11 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear 99 (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 5..6 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "(S)-(+)-mandelic acid linker" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:121: Tyr Gly Gly Phe Leu Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys Glu 1 5 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:128: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 11 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear S(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 5..6 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "(R)-(-)-mandelic acid linker" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:128: S Tyr Gly Gly Phe Leu Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys Glu 1 5 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:129: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 8 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear

*Q

S(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 2..3 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "hydroxyacetic acid linker" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:129: 100 Phe Leu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:130: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 8 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: Modified-site LOCATION: 2..3 OTHER INFORMATION: /product= "(S)-(+)-mandelic acid linker" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:130: Phe Leu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:131: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 9 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide *0*0 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:131: 00 Cys Tyr Ile Gln Asn Cys Pro Leu Gly 1 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:132: 0. SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 11 amino acids TYPE: amino acid 00

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:132: 101 Tyr Gly Gly Phe Leu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 5 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:133: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 11 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:133: Tyr Gly Gly Phe Leu Lys Lys Lys Lys Lys Lys 1 5 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:134: i SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 15 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide f (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:134: 'o Trp Ala Gly Gly Asp Ala Ser Gly Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 1 5 i0 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:135: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 15 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear S• MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:135: Trp Ala Gly Gly Asp Ala Ser Gly Glu Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys Glu 1 5 10 102 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 136: SEQUENCE

CHARACTERISTICS:

LENGTH: 5 amino acids TYPE: amino acid

STRANDEDNESS:

TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: pep tide (xi SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 136: Tyr Gly Gly Phe Met 1

Claims

1. A compound which has the general formula I X-L-Z I wherein X is a peptide sequence bound to L at the C-terminal carbonyl function of X; L is a linking group comprising from 3-9 backbone atoms, wherein the bond between the C-terminal carbonyl of X and L is different from an C-N amide bond; and Z is a peptide sequence of 2- amino acid units and bound to L at the N-terminal nitrogen atom of Z, each amino acid unit being independently selected from Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, Met, Orn, and amino acid units of the formula II I, -NH-C(R3) (R 4 II wherein R 3 and R 4 independently are selected from C1-6-alkyl, phenyl, and phenyl-methyl, wherein C 1

6-alkyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, and phenyl and phenyl-methyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from Ci-6-alkyl, C2-6-alkenyl, halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, or R 3 and R 4 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring; or a salt thereof; with the proviso that the compound H NH CO-Thr-Phe-Asp-Leu-Lys-NH 2 Ac-Cys-Tyr-Ser-Thr-Gly-Cys-Val-Arg-Ala-OCH2--w S I I S is not encompassed by formula (I) O o* o 00 [I:\DayLib\LIBZ]05166.doc:BAV 2. The compound according to claim 11, wherein x is a pharmaceutically active peptide having a free C-terminaJ carboxy group, a C-terminal amide or having an ester group. 3. Th1e compou~nd according to claimn I wherei the ami nc CIcjin uni ts in Z are selec ted from thr-ee or from t_,'o diforent amino acids, oi: are ideniticacI ain-o ac!m' 1 'The compound accor~dino to cia imi 1 or 2 w,,herinui jn1111.11( cc: d _ioit in Z _indcependen t ly are soeleected I rem- Gli, Met, andi Lys in p~articular from Gilu andLs 3 tecompound accor-dion tol any of the prece-d_]ing c:Ia ililt, whereini the Toe,,tide conisists of 2-200 amino acid rlnirt;- V. The compound accordin to any of the precedingcli; cli wherein Z nis of 3-15 aminom acid gruits sst of Xaa-(Lys),-(Giu) ,Xaa-(Giu).-(Lys)Y, (Lys) -(Gin) ),Xaa, Xaa-Lys-Giu-Lys, Xaa-Lys-Giu-Lys-Giu, Xaa-Lys-Giu-T,ys- Gln-Lys, Xaa-Giu-Lys-Giu, Xaa-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys, Xaa-Glu Lys-Giu-Lys-Glu, Lys-Glu-Lys-Xaa, Lys-Giu-Lys-Giu-Xaa, Lys -Glu-Lys-Giu -Lys-Xaa Glu-Lys-Glu-Xaa, Giu-Lys-Ciu- Lys-Xaa and Giu-Lys-Clu-Lys-Glu-Xaa wherein x and y are- integers in the range from 1 to 4 with the proviso that *xiy-is at- the most 5, and Xaa denotes Ala, Leu, Ser, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Arg, His, Met, Orn, and amjino- acids_ of the formula 1-1 as defined in claim 1.

8. The compound according to any of the previous cla-imsV wherein Z is Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys, Gin-Lys-Lys-Lys, Lys-Gin-- Lys-Lys, Lys-Lys-Gin-Lys, Lys-Lys--Lys-Gin, Glu-Gin-Lys- LYS, Glu-Lys-Gly-Lys, Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu, Lys- Glu-Lys -Lys-GI u, Lys-Gin-Glu-Lys, Lys -G13- G 13 Gin- Gil C; 1 CHU Lys Ign VIq C; I U GInu 1y yS Lys -Lys-Gu, Gin -Gin, Lys-Lys -Lys--Lys Lys, GIu- GLyu- s I U, K. Ly; (GLys fGlu CLyn- ly -G 2 (DIU K v 1 GuL' .IV-GlK Lys yln-Lys CGI -Lys Lys- I ys-Glu QAS 0000 Og 0O 0@ 06 *0 0 0~ 0 0 S *6 06 6 0 *5 0 0 0S@e 0 0O 0 0O S 00 Lys Gin- -Lys-Lys- Lys 1 ys -Lys CLu, kys. LOSc, 1Lys- -GI-Gin Vi -IgsQGlu, GOln kys-i>Lys- Lys Lys,- i-Lys-Lys- ;-Lys -Lys Cin- LypS- -Lys-G in, Ig ys Lyg- Lys I-Gi.n- Gin i Ly s y s- A~ Lyc; LyV.; (A,1 CGi Gilu Lys S-'yn' Gin 3 -Ly s- Gl Gin, Lys, Lyis CAi u, Lys- *Lys- *Lys- Gilu Gin -Lys Lys -Lys L.ys, Inu -Ly'I ys (71.1 n C i Gin Lys Thys: -G. -Lys Gin Lys, 1.n-L I A -K 7: I Ly(s -LysK> I -ys LC Lys Iy CIlgs, L Is' y s- G ry -I UcGl ILys- s Lhys I u Glu I, Lys-1.ys-Lys-C.ju, Lys-Lys-Lys, Gin Gin-Lys, Clu-Lys Tys, Lys-GU-Lys Lys-Gin-LyS-LyS- Ly s -Gin-Lys-Gu- Lys-G in-Gin- iys, Lys-Gln-Gu, G1l LYS-LyPs, Gin-GI. Cixk, C;_1u-L'<-C1l I y C-ln y Iy -2 L'y G InII--ly s C lu-iC In.1 V K~nIU hys L, VI, (.41 -C In Lys-Gin Lys Lys, Gin- Lys--Lys-Lys Lys -Gin, Lys -Gln-G1.n Iys- Lys l1ys-Gin- Lyg-ly ,Gil n Lys- Lys--GI-Gin- Lys-ILys, Lys -Gin-Lys Ilys-Gun I yp If's-Gln-Lys-Gin Ly' I ys L.ys-Lys-Lys, Clu-GinLu-y Gil -Lys, ilun Gin--Lys-LI lys Gln-Lys -Gln-Lys C In Gin -Lys Tys-Gin C;1KI Iys, lys -Iys--Lys-Gln-Gin, yn Gin -LyS-GIu -C 1.n, Lys- I.y; C.;in- Cin- I&ys, Lys G n-Lyu Lys-Gin, Lys-Gilun-Iys-Glun Gin, Lys-Glu-Glu-Lys Gln Lys -Lys-Gln-Gln-GIln-Gu, Ly 3 Lys- Ly G I u Lys, Ly S Lys, Lys Gin-Gun-Lys-Lys Lys-Gln-Giu-Glu-Lys -Lys, Gln-Lys-Gu-Glu-Gu, Lys Gu-Gu-Lys-Gu-Gu, Lys-Gu Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu, Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys, Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu, Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu, Glu- Lys-Glu-GluLys.Glu, Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys, Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Glu, Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Glu, Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu-GluLys, Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu-Lys, Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys- Lys, Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu, GIu-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu, Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu-Glu-Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys- Glu-Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys-Glu, Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Lys, or Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu,

9. The compound according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bond between [he C-terminal carbonyl function of X and L is capable of being cleaved by blood plasma enzymes. The compound according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bond between the C-terminal carbonyl function of X and L is a thiolester bond or an ester bond. lo 11. The compound according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bond between L and the N-terminal nitrogen atom in Z is a carboxamide bond a sulfonamide bond an alkylamine bond a carbamate bond a thiocarbamnate bond an urea bond a thioamide bond cyanomethyleneamino bond or an N-methylamide bond H acd12. The compound according to claim 1 wherein L is derived from an cx-hydroxy carboxylic acdof the general formula HO-C(R 1 )(R 2 )-COOH wherein R1 and R 2 independently is H, C1-6-alkyl, C 2 6-alkenyl, aryl, aryil-C14-alkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaryl-C 1 4 -alkyl, or R 1 and R2 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring, where an alkyl or Salkenyl group may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from amino, cyano, 2* halogen, isocyano, isothiocyano, thiocyano, su Ifamyl, Cl14-alkylthio, mono- or di-Cl-4-alkyl-amino, hydroxy, Cl-4-alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, carboxy, C1-4-alkoxycarbonyl, Ci-4-alkylcarbonyloxy, *aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-Ci-4-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-C1-4-alkyl-amino, mono- or di-C1A- *00.0 alkyl-amino-C1-4-alkyl, Cl-4-alkylcarbonylamino, sulfono, and sulfino, and where an aryl or a heteroaryl group may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from C14-alkyl, 02-4-alkenyl, nitro, amino, cyano, halogen, isocyano, isothiocyano, thiocyano, sulfamyl, C1A4-alkylthio, mono- or di- Cl14-alkyl-amino, hydroxy, Cv1i-alkoxy, aryloxy, carboxy, C1.4-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-4-alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-C1-4-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-Cl-4-alkyl-amino, mono- or di-Ci-4- alkyl-amino-Cl 1 4 -alkyl, C1-4-alkylcarbonylamino, sulfono, and sulfino.

13. The compound according to any of the preceding claims wherein L is derived from hydroxyacetic acid, (S)-(+)-mandelic acid, L-Iactic acid ((S)-(+)-2-hydroxypropanoic acid), L-cx- hydroxy-butyric acid -2-hydroxybutanoic acid), and cL-hydroxy-isobutyric acid.

14. The compound according to claim 12 wherein L is derived from an c-hydroxy carboxylic acid of the general formula HO-C(CH 2 -R5)(R2)_COOH, wherein R 5 is selected from H, Cl-5-alkyl, C 2 5 aylary-Ci- 3 -alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Cli 3 -alkyl, where an alkyl or alkenyl group may be

166.doc: BAV substituted with from one to three substituents selected from amino, halogen, mono- or di-C14-alkyl- amino, hydroxy, C14-alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, carboxy, C1-4-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-4- alkylcarbonyloxy, and aminocarbonyl, and where an aryl or heteroaryl may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from C1-4-alkyl, C2-4-alkenyl, nitro, amino, halogen, mono- or di-C1-4- alkyl-amino, hydroxy, C14-alkoxy, carboxy, C1-4-alkoxycarbonyl, C-4-alkylcarbonyloxy, and aminocarbonyl; and R 2 is as defined in claim 12. The compound according to any one of the preceding claims wherein X is the peptide sequence of an enkephalin, angiotensin II, vasopressin, endothelin, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, neurotensin, endorphins, insulin, gramicidin, paracelsin, delta-sleep Sinducing peptide, ANF, vasotocin, bradykinin, dynorphin, growth hormone release factor, growth hormone release peptide, oxytocin, calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, calcitonin gene-related S peptide II, growth hormone release peptide, tachykinin, ACTH, brain natriuretic polypeptide, cholecystokinin, corticotropin releasing factor, diazepam binding inhibitor fragment, FMRF-amide, galanin, gastric releasing polypeptide, gastrin, gastrin releasing peptide, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagonlike peptide-2, LHRH, melanin concentrating hormone, alpha-MSH, morphine modulating peptides, motilin, neurokinins, neuromedins, neuropeptide K, neuropeptide Y, PACAP, S pancreatic polypeptide, peptide YY, PHIM, secretin, somatostatin, substance K, substance P, TRH, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, or any modified or truncated analogue thereof. 16. The compound according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio between 2.1 the half-life of the prodrug in question in the "Hydrolysis in enzyme solution test", as defined herein, and the half-life of the corresponding peptide in the "Hydrolysis in enzyme solution" test, is at least 2, preferably at least 5 and even more preferably at least 10 when using the enzyme S carboxypeptidase A or leucine aminopeptidase. 17. The compound according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-((S)-(+)-Ma)-(LysGlu) 3 -OH; H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-((R)-(-)-Ma)-(LysGlu) 3 -OH; H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-((R)-(-)-Ma)-Lys 6 -OH; H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-((S)-(+)-Ma)-Lys 6 -OH; H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-((R)-(-)-Ma)-Glu-OH; and H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-((S)-(+)-Ma)-Glu 6 -OH. 18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound as defined in any one of preceding claims, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 19. The composition according to claim 18 for use in therapy. .1:\DayIib\IIBZ]05166.doc: BAV 108 Use of the compound as defined in any one of the preceding claims for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for use in therapy. 21. An immobilised linker-peptide sequence Prot-L-Z-SSM, where L designates a linker of the general formula -O-C(Rl)(R 2 wherein R1 and R2 independently is H, C1-6-alkyl, C 2 6 alkenyl, aryl, aryl-C1-4-alkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaryl-C 14 -alkyl, or R1 and R 2 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring, where an alkyl or alkenyl group may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from amino, cyano, halogen, isocyano, isothiocyano, thiocyano, sulfamyl, C1-4-alkylthio, mono- or di-C1.4-alkyl-amino, hydroxy, C 1 4-alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, carboxy, C14-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-4-alkylcarbonyloxy, II aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-C14-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-C1-4-alkyl-amino, mono- or di-C 14 alkyl-amino-C1.-4-alkyl, C14-alkylcarbonylamino, sulfono, and sulfino, and where an aryl or a heteroaryl group may be substituted with from one to three substituents selected from C-4-alkyl, C2-4-alkenyl, Snitro amino, cyano, halogen, isocyano, isothiocyano, thiocyano, sulfamyl, C14-alkylthio, mono-or di- C14-alkyl-amino, hydroxy, C14-alkoxy, aryloxy, carboxy, C1-4-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-4-alkylcarbonyloxy, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-C1-4-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-C14-alkyl-amino, mono- or di-C 14 alkyl-amino-C 1 -4-alkyl, C1A-alkylcarbonylamino, sulfono, and sulfino; Z designates a peptide sequence comprising 2-20 amino acid units, each amino acid unit being independently selected from Ala, Leu, S Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, GIn, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, Met, Orn, and amino acid units of the formula II -NH-C(R3) 11 wherein R 3 and R 4 independently are selected from Cl1salkyl, phenyl, and phenyl-methyl, wherein C1-6- alkyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, and phenyl and phenyl-methyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from CI-6-alkyl, C2-6-alkenyl, halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, or R3 and R 4 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring; SSM designates a solid support material; and Prot designates H or a hydroxy protecting group. Of 22. An immobilised linker-peptide sequence Prot-L-Z-SSM according to claim 21, wherein S the solid support material (SSM) is selected from polystyrene, polyacrylamide, polydimethylacrylamide, polyethyleneglycol, cellulose, polyethylene, polyethyleneglycol grafted on 3 polystyrene, latex, and dynabeads. 23. The use of an immobilised linker-peptide sequence Prot-L-Z-SSM according to claim 21 for the preparation of a prodrug of a peptide, a peptide amide, or a peptide ester. 24. A method for the preparation of a compound which has the general formula I X-L-Z I wherein X is a peptide sequence bound to L at the C-terminal carbonyl function of X; [I:\DayLib\LBZj S I66.doc:BAV L is a linking group, comprising from 3 to 9 backbone atoms, wherein the bond between the C- terminal carbonyl of X and L is different from an C-N amide bond; and Z is a peptide sequence of 2-20 amino acid units and bound to L at the N-terminal nitrogen atom of Z, each amino acid unit being independently selected from Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, Met, Orn, and amino acid units of the formula II -NH-C(R3) II wherein R and R 4 independently are selected from C1-6-alkyl, phenyl, and phenyl-methyl, wherein C1- 6 alkyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, and phenyl and phenyl-methyl is optionally substituted with I from one to three substituents selected from Ci-6-alkyl, C2-6-alkenyl, halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, or R 3 and R 4 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring; or a salt thereof comprising coupling the corresponding peptide in a C-terminal activated form (X-Act) to an immobilised linker-peptide sequence H-L-Z-SSM. 25. A method for the preparation of a compound which has the general formula I X-L-Z I wherein X is a peptide sequence bound to L at the C-terminal carbonyl function of X; L is a linking group, comprising from 3 to 9 backbone atoms, wherein the bond between the C- mi terminal carbonyl of X and L is different from an C-N amide bond; and Z is a peptide sequence of 2-20 amino acid units and bound to L at the N-terminal nitrogen S atom of Z, each amino acid unit being independently selected from Ala, Leu, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Gin, Asp, Glu, Lys, Arg, His, Net, Orn, and amino acid units of the formula II *o -NH-C(R3) (R 4 II wherein R 3 and R 4 independently are selected from C1-6-alkyl, phenyl, and phenyl-methyl, wherein C 1 °~-alkyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, and phenyl and phenyl-methyl is optionally substituted with from one to three substituents selected from C1.6-alkyl, C2-6-alkenyl, halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfono, and carboxy, or R 3 and R 4 together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or cycloheptyl ring; or a salt thereof comprising the steps of: a) coupling an N-a-protected amino acid in the carboxyl activated form in the C-terminal activated form to an immobilised linker peptide sequence H-L-Z-SSM, thereby forming an immobilised N-a-protected peptide fragment, I I:\Dayib\LIBZ]5 I66.doc:BAV b) removing the N-a-protecting group, thereby forming an immobilised peptide fragment having an unprotected N-terminal end, c) coupling an additional N-a-protected amino acid in the carboxyl activated form, or an additional N-ca-protected dipeptide in the C-terminal activated form to the unprotected N-terminal end of the immobilised peptide fragment, and repeating the removal/coupling procedure in step b) and c) until the desired peptide sequence X is obtained, and then d) cleaving off the prodrug X-L-Z from the solid support material to obtain free X-L-Z in the form of a C-terminal carboxylic acid, amide, or ester. 26. A compound which has the general formula I I" X-L-Z I wherein X is a peptide sequence bound to L at the C-terminal carbonyl function of X; L is a linking group comprising from 3-9 backbone atoms, wherein the bond between the C-terminal carbonyl of X and L is different from an C-N amide bond; and Z is a peptide sequence of 2-20 amino acid units, which compound is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the 1 examples. 27. An immobilised linker-peptide sequence, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. 28. A method for the preparation of a compound which has the general formula I X-L-Z I 2(1 wherein X is a peptide sequence bound to L at the C-terminal carbonyl function of X; L is a linking 4-000 g group, comprising from 3-9 backbone atoms, wherein the bond between the C-terminal carbonyl of X and L is different from an C-N amide bond; and Z is a peptide sequence of 2-20 amino acid units, which method is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. Dated 26 June, 2000 2 Zealand Pharmaceuticals A/S 0 0* Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [I:\DayLib\I.BZ]0 166.doc: BAV