The present invention concerns methods and compositions for forming
PEGylated complexes of defined stoichiometry and structure. In preferred
embodiments, the PEGylated complex is formed using dock-and-lock
technology, by attaching a therapeutic agent to a DDD sequence and
attaching a PEG moiety to an AD sequence and allowing the DDD sequence to
bind to the AD sequence in a 2:1 stoichiometry, to form PEGylated
complexes with two target agents and one PEG moiety. In alternative
embodiments, the target agent may be attached to the AD sequence and the
PEG to the DDD sequence to form PEGylated complexes with two PEG moieties
and one target agent. In more preferred embodiments, the target agent may
comprise any peptide or protein of physiologic or therapeutic activity.
The PEGylated complexes exhibit a significantly slower rate of clearance
when injected into a subject and are of use for treatment of a wide
variety of diseases.