Saccharopeptides and derivatives thereof

A saccharopeptide of formula (I):

• W--›Y--W--!.sub.m (I)
• wherein:
• each W is independently one or more saccharides, independently selected from the group consisting of glucose, galactose, glucuronic acid, galactosamine, maltose and cellobiose;
• said saccharide(s) comprising hydroxyl or amine groups, said groups being optionally substituted with --H, halogen, --COOH, or --OR.sup.1 ;
• wherein any hydroxyl groups of said saccharides are optionally sulfated;
• wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, acyl, --SO.sub.3, --PO.sub.3, protecting groups, lipids, amino acids, and peptide chains;
• each Y is independently selected from the group consisting of --CO--NH-- or --NH--CO--;
• m is an integer from 1 to 5;
• and
• the saccharopeptide has a molecular weight of up to 10 kDa;
• with the provisos that:
• a) when m is 1, then W is not a monosaccharide;
• and
• b) if a W group is greater than one saccharide, then said saccharides are independently covalently linked by ether, thioether, glycosidic, thioglycosidic, or amino bonds.