Patents Assigned to Ecogen Inc.
  • Bacillus thuringiensis cryIIIc(B) toxin gene and protein toxic to coleopteran insects
    Patent number: 5264364
    Abstract: A Bacillus thuringiensis strain isolate, designated EG5144, exhibits insecticidal activity against coleopteran insects, including Colorado potato beetle and insects of the genus Diabrotica. A novel toxin gene in B.t. strain EG5144 produces an irregularly shaped insecticidal crystal protein of approximately 70 kDa that is toxic to coleopteran insects. The cryIII-type gene (SEQ ID NO:1), designated as the cryIIIC(b) gene, has a nucleotide base sequence illustrated in FIG. 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: Willam P. Donovan, Mark J. Rupar, Annette C. Slaney
  • Bacillus thuringiensis cryIIIC gene encoding toxic to coleopteran insects
    Patent number: 5187091
    Abstract: A purified and isolated cryIII-type gene was obtained from a novel B.t. strain. The gene has a nucleotide base sequence coding for the amino acid sequence illustrated in FIG. 1. The 74.4 kDa protein produced by this gene is an irregularly shaped crystal that is toxic to coleopteran insects, including Colorado potato beetle and insects of the genus Diabrotica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Donovan, Mark J. Rupar, Annette C. Slaney, Timothy B. Johnson
  • Recovery of BT endotoxin protein from lysed cell mixtures
    Patent number: 5173409
    Abstract: Purified endotoxin protein is recovered from aqueous suspensions containing lysed cells and Bacillus thuringiensis crystalline endotoxin protein in a multistep process.The aqueous suspension, e.g., a concentrated fermentation culture, is first treated under strongly basic or acidic conditions to solubilize the crystal protein and the solution is then separated from residual solids. Endotoxin protein is precipitated from the separated aqueous solution, by adjusting its pH to the isoelectric point of the protein, and recovered by centrifugation or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventor: Leigh H. English
  • Strains of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal compositions containing the same
    Patent number: 5147640
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel strains of Bacillus thuringiensis containing genes that code for P1 endotoxin proteins. The invention also provides methods and compositions for controlling insects or protecting plants from insect attack with a novel strain of Bacillus thuringiensis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan E. Gard, Jr., Jose M. Gonzalez, Jr., Dennis R. Ciarlante
  • Novel bacillus thuringiensis strains, and related insecticidal compositions
    Patent number: 5080897
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel Bacillus thuringiensis transconjugant strains having improved insecticidal activity. The novel strains are produced by a combination of plasmid curing and conjugation of active strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: Jose M. Gonzalez, Jr., Anthony Macaluso
  • CryIIB crystal protein gene from Bacillus thuringiensis
    Patent number: 5073632
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified and isolated gene having a nucleotide sequence coding for the amino acid sequence for the CryIIB protein (the nucleotide coding sequence being illustrated in FIG. 6 extending from nucleotides 874 through 2775).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Donovan
  • Ion channel properties of delta endotoxins
    Patent number: 5071654
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for measuring the toxicity of a delta-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis by evaluating the ability of said endotoxin to form an ion channel in a phospholipid vesicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventor: Leigh H. English