Preface PEGylated protein conjugates: A new class of therapeutics for the 21st century.- Protein PEGylation, basic science and biological applications.- Reactive PEGs for protein conjugation.- Rebridging disulphides: site-specific PEGylation by sequential bis-alkylation.- Enzymatic techniques for PEGylation of biopharmaceuticals.- The site-specific TGase-mediated PEGylation of proteins occurs at flexible sites.- Protein conjugates purification and characterization.- PEG and PEG conjugates toxicity: towards an understanding of the toxicity of PEG and its relevance to PEGylated biologicals.- The occurrence, induction, specificity and potential effect of antibodies against poly(ethylene glycol).- Pegfilgrastim - designing an improved form of rmetHuG-CSF.- PEGylation of human growth hormone: strategies and properties.- PEGylated ? interferons: two different strategies to achieve increased efficacy.- Development of PEGylated mammalian urate oxidase as a therapy for patients with refractory gout.- Certolizumab pegol: a PEGylated anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha biological agent.- PEG: a useful technology in anticancer therapy.- Regulatory strategy and approval processes considered for PEG-drug conjugates and other nanomedicines.

PEGylation technology and key applications are introduced by this topical volume. Basic physical and chemical properties of PEG as basis for altering/improving in vivo behaviour of PEG-conjugates such as increased stability, improved PK/PD, and decreased immunogenicity, are discussed. Furthermore, chemical and enzymatic strategies for the coupling and the conjugate characterization are reported. Following chapters describe approved and marketed PEG-proteins and PEG-oligonucleotides as well as conjugates in various stages of clinical development.