Patents Assigned to Health Protection Agency
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Patent number: 7674470Abstract: Antigenic compositions are provided comprising a single chain polypeptide comprising first and second domains, wherein said first domain is a clostridial neurotoxin light chain or a fragment or a variant thereof and is capable of cleaving one or more vesicle or plasma membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis; and said second domain is a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain HN portion or a fragment or a variant thereof, wherein said second domain is capable of (i) translocating the polypeptide into a cell or (ii) increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own or (iii) both translocating the polypeptide into a cell and increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own; and wherein the second domain lacks a functional C-terminal part of a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain designated HC thereby rendering the polypeptide incapable of binding to cell surface receptors that are the natural cell surType: GrantFiled: March 11, 2005Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignees: Health Protection Agency, Syntaxin LimitedInventors: Charles Clifford Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
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Patent number: 7670796Abstract: An assay to detect a metalloprotease in a sample, comprising contacting the sample with a substrate. The metalloprotease reacts with the substrate to form a product comprising a tag. This is followed by selectively binding the tag to a solid phase, wherein the solid phase comprises a binding partner for the tag. Measuring the mass of the product takes place to determine the presence of the metalloprotease in the sample.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2004Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Health Protection AgencyInventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Elizabeth R. Evans, Stephen Peter Kidd
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Publication number: 20100022751Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2009Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicants: SYNTAXIN LIMITED, THE HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCYInventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
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Publication number: 20100003740Abstract: There is provided a chemically-defined liquid culture medium comprising an energy source, a carbon source, a nitrogen source, an amino acid source, a purine synthesis source, a pyrimidine synthesis source and a buffer; characterised in that the culture medium has a pH less than 7, preferably less than 6.9, most preferably about 6.8.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2007Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCYInventors: Jim Wade, Michelle Graver
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Publication number: 20090274708Abstract: Antigenic compositions are provided comprising a single chain polypeptide comprising first and second domains, wherein said first domain is a clostridial neurotoxin light chain or a fragment or a variant thereof and is capable of cleaving one or more vesicle or plasma membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis; and said second domain is a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain HN portion or a fragment or a variant thereof, wherein said second domain is capable of (i) translocating the polypeptide into a cell or (ii) increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own or (iii) both translocating the polypeptide into a cell and increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own; and wherein the second domain lacks a functional C-terminal part of a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain designated HC thereby rendering the polypeptide incapable of binding to cell surface receptors that are the natural cell surType: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicants: Health Protection Agency, Syntaxin LimitedInventors: Charles Clifford SHONE, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
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Publication number: 20090246827Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicants: SYNTAXIN LIMITED, THE HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCYInventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
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Publication number: 20090148888Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2009Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicants: SYNTAXIN LIMITED, THE HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCYInventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
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Publication number: 20090087877Abstract: There is provided a method for infecting a target cell with a TSE agent, comprising: i) contacting said target cell with a membrane preparation, wherein the membrane preparation comprises the TSE agent and a donor membrane; and ii) infecting said target cell with the TSE agent. There is also provided a contiguous membrane, comprising a donor membrane and a membrane containing a TSE agent, wherein the TSE agent is selected from the group consisting of CJD, vCJD, familial CJD (e.g. FFI or CSS), iatrogenic CJD, BSE, ovine BSE, and CWD.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: Health Protection AgencyInventors: Richard Hesp, J. Mark Sutton, Frances Alexander, Elizabeth Kirby, Neil Ravern
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Publication number: 20080261200Abstract: A method for detecting a mutation in a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, the target nucleic acid sequence comprising a first DNA strand and optionally the complementary strand thereof, said method comprising: (a) adding a detection primer to the nucleic acid, wherein the detection primer binds to the first DNA strand at a DNA sequence that comprises the mutation site; (b) extending the detection primer to form second DNA strands that are complementary to the first DNA strand; (c) adding an amplification primer to the nucleic acid, wherein the amplification primer binds to the second DNA strand and/or to the complementary strand, at a position away from the mutation site; (d) extending the amplification primer to form third DNA strands that are complementary to the second DNA strands, and/or additional copies of the first DNA strand; (e) annealing the DNA strands by complementary base pairing, to form nucleic acid duplexes, wherein if the two strands of the duplex have a mismatched residue at the mutatType: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2005Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: Health Protection AgencyInventor: Catherine Arnold
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Patent number: 7422740Abstract: Agents are provided which are capable of inhibiting the cell division cycle in a target cell of interest. The agents comprise first and second components, wherein the first component is a targeting moiety which is capable of directing the second component to the target cell of interest. The second component is capable of inhibiting the cell division cycle in the target cell of interest. The agents are preferably provided in the form of conjugates, and the second component is preferably a cytolethal distending toxin. Methods for the preparation of the agents, and the use thereof for treating proliferative cell disorders and intracellular pathogens are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2000Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Health Protection AgencyInventors: Desmond Purdy, Susan Charlton, Ian Henderson
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Patent number: 7393540Abstract: A method is provided for identifying mycobacterial genes that are induced or up-regulated under culture conditions that are nutrient-starving and which maintain mycobacterial latency, said conditions being obtainable by batch fermentation of a micobacterium for at least 20 days post-inoculation, when compared with culture conditions that are not nutrient-starving and which support exponential growth of said mycobacterium. Said induced or up-regulated genes form the basis of nucleic acid vaccines, or provide targets to allow preparation of attenuated mycobacteria for vaccines against mycobacterial infections. Similarly, peptides encoded by said induced or up-regulated genes are employed in vaccines. In a further embodiment, the identified genes/peptides provide the means for identifying the presence of a mycobacterial infection in a clinical sample by nucleic acid probe or antibody detection.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2002Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Health Protection AgencyInventors: Brian William James, Philip Marsh, Tobias Hampshire
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Patent number: 7393539Abstract: A method is provided for identifying mycobacterial genes that are induced or up-regulated under continuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37° C. Said induced or up-regulated genes form the basis of nucleic acid vaccines, or provide targets to allow preparation of attenuated mycobacteria for vaccines against mycobacterial infections. Similarly, peptides encoded by said induced or up-regulated genes are employed in vaccines. In a further embodiment, the identified genes/peptides provide the means for identifying the presence of a mycobacterial infection in a clinical sample by nucleic acid probe or antibody detection.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Health Protection AgencyInventors: Brian William James, Joanna Bacon, Philip Marsh
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Patent number: 7384645Abstract: A composition is prepared from a mixture of different vesicles, such as outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and vaccines are based thereon. Another composition comprises in a single vesicle a combination of antigens and/or other vesicle components deriving from separate vesicles; again vaccines are prepared therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Health Protection AgencyInventors: Keith Alan Foster, Andrew Richard Gorringe, Michael John Hudson, Karen Margaret Reddin, Andrew Robinson
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Patent number: 7355027Abstract: A polynucleotide sequence is provided, comprising: a nucleic acid sequence having at least 75% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said nucleic acid sequence encodes recombinant Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen (rPA); or a fragment of said nucleic acid sequence wherein said fragment encodes a fragment of recombinant Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen (rPA). Also provided are expression vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide sequence of the invention, and methods for producing rPA or a fragment thereof. The invention further provides antigenic compositions and corresponding methods and uses for inducing an immune response.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignees: Dynport Vaccine Company LLC, Health Protection AgencyInventors: John Brehm, Ian McEntee, Philip Vincent, Nigel Allison, Rossalyn Brehm, George Jack, Michael Herbert, Barbara T. Solow, Juan Arroyo, Randall K. Lapcevich
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Publication number: 20080020001Abstract: A polynucleotide sequence is provided, comprising: a nucleic acid sequence having at least 75% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said nucleic acid sequence encodes recombinant Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen (rPA); or a fragment of said nucleic acid sequence wherein said fragment encodes a fragment of recombinant Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen (rPA). Also provided are expression vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide sequence of the invention, and methods for producing rPA or a fragment thereof. The invention further provides antigenic compositions and corresponding methods and uses for inducing an immune response.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2005Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicants: Health Protection Agency, Dynport Vaccine Company LLCInventors: John Brehm, Ian McEntee, Philip Vincent, Nigel Allison, Rossalyn Brehm, George Jack, Michael Herbert, Barbara Solow, Juan Arroyo, Randall Lapcevich
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Patent number: 7303907Abstract: A transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agent is inactivated by exposing the TSE agent to a thermostable proteolytic enzyme at elevated temperature and at acid or alkaline pH. Following this step, or separately, presence of TSE infectivity is detected by detection of dimers of prion protein.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Health Protection AgencyInventors: Neil D Raven, John M Sutton
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Publication number: 20070248626Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Applicants: The Health Protection Agency, Ipsen LimitedInventors: Clifford Shone, Conrad Quinn, Keith Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
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Publication number: 20070184048Abstract: The present invention provides a method for designing a re-targeted toxin conjugate for use in treating a medical condition or disease. Also provided, is the use of said conjugates in the manufacture of a medicament for treating medical conditions or diseases. The conjugates include a Targeting Moiety, which directs the conjugate to a desired target cell, and are characterised by a Targeting Moiety that increases exocytic fusion in the target cell. The present invention also provides methods for identifying agonists suitable for use as Targeting Moieties, and methods for preparing conjugates comprising said Targeting Moieties, to re-target a toxin to a cell of therapeutic interest. In particular, the present invention describes a method for designing a toxin conjugate, and describes therapeutic applications of said conjugates to inhibit or reduce cellular processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2004Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: Health Protection AgencyInventors: Keith Foster, John Chaddock, Charles Penn
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Publication number: 20070154495Abstract: Live vaccines, live-attenuated vaccines, dead vaccines, protein preparations for use in vaccines and OMVs for use in vaccines are free of CEACAM1-binding Opa, though max contain Opa variants that are antigenic but don't bind to CEACAM1.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2004Publication date: July 5, 2007Applicant: Health Protection AgencyInventors: Andrew Gorringe, Karen Reddin, Scott Gray-Owen, Ian Boulton
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Publication number: 20070148694Abstract: An assay for a metalloprotease comprises (i) combining a test compound with a substrate, wherein the protease reacts with the substrate to form a product; and (ii) detecting presence of the metalloprotease by measuring the mass of the product.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2004Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCYInventors: Clifford Shone, Elizabeth Evans, Stephen Kidd