Biological targeting agents

Abstract

A conjugate comprises a linear or cyclic synthetic peptide of 3-50 amino acids linked via one of its carboxyl groups and optionally via a linking group, to a polydentate metal chelating group, with the result that endo- or exo-peptidase metabolism of the peptide is substantially inhibited, with the provisos that: a) the peptide chain contains a biological targeting sequence which is biologically active; b) when the spacer is absent the metal chelating group does not comprise solely peptide moieties; c) the metal chelating group does not contain thiol donors. A complex of the conjugate with a metal atom chelated by the metal chelating group is useful in medicine.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.