Patents Assigned to Microbiological Research Authority
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Patent number: 7041792Abstract: A polypeptide free of toxin activity providing protection against botulinum type F toxin is provided. A fusion protein of a fragment of a toxin molecule and a purification moiety enabling purification of a fragment from solution and pharmaceutical compositions containing the polypeptide and the fusion protein are described.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1996Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: Michael J. Elmore, Margaret L. Mauchline, Nigel P. Minton, Vladimir A. Pasechnik, Richard W. Titball
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Patent number: 6743444Abstract: A method of making a microparticle that contains DNA coding for a polypeptide is described in which a solvent extraction method is used and solvent extraction takes place at elevated temperature. Oral administration of the microparticle leads to its expression. DNA coding for an immunogen is for stimulating antibody formation in a recipient and DNA coding for a non-immunogenic polypeptide is for gene therapy applications. DNA is incorporated into the microparticle without destruction of its function.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: David Hugh Jones, Graham Henry Farrar, James Christopher Stephen Clegg
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Patent number: 6667294Abstract: A microparticle contains DNA coding for a polypeptide and oral administration of the microparticle leads to its expression. DNA coding for an immunogen is for stimulating antibody formation in a recipient and DNA coding for a non-immunogenic polypeptide is for gene therapy applications. DNA is incorporated into the microparticle without destruction of its function.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: David Hugh Jones, Graham Henry Farrar, James Christopher Stephen Clegg
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Patent number: 6652849Abstract: A genetically-engineered anaerobic organism is provided which, under anaerobic conditions present in a solid tumor, produces an enzyme capable of catalyzing the conversion of a prodrug to its highly cytotoxic product in situ and methods of treating tumors using same.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Standford Junior University, Microbiological Research Authority through the Centre for Applied Microbiology ResearchInventors: John Martin Brown, Nigel P. Minton, Amato Giaccia
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Publication number: 20030215469Abstract: A composition is provided comprising N. meningitidis outer membrane vesicles, wherein said outer membrane vesicles are enriched with at least one antigenic component. The composition is suitable for use in vaccines and for treatment of infection, particularly meningococcal infection, demonstrating a broad spectrum of protection. A number of preferred antigenic components are described and include antigenic proteins and proteoglycans derived from N. meningitidis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: Andrew Robinson, Andrew Richard Gorringe, Michael John Hudson, Karen Margaret Reddin
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Publication number: 20030166238Abstract: 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: September 12, 2002Publication date: September 4, 2003Applicant: Microbiological Research Authority and The Speywood Laboratory LimitedInventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
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Patent number: 6565777Abstract: Bioactive agent is encapsulated in a polymer microparticle in a (water-in-oil)-in-water emulsion-based method, and using a solvent that comprises ethyl acetate. Also described are microparticles comprising low inherent viscosity (i.v.) PLG, some with i.v. less than 0.5 dl/g, and methods for their preparation. DNA release is modified through use of low i.v. PLG. A particle production method for scale-up uses a blender that avoids excessive shear damage to DNA being encapsulated.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: Graham Henry Farrar, Anne Margaret Tinsley-Bown, David Hughes Jones
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Publication number: 20030021812Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of microbial infection, and in particular meningococcal disease, comprise a commensal Neisseria or an extract of a commensal Neisseria. Further methods and compositions comprise commensal Neisseria which express genes from virulent strains of Neisseria and/or heterologous gene products from non-Neisserial sources. Such compositions are used in vaccine preparations for the treatment of microbial infection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: Andrew Robinson, Andrew Richard Gorringe, Michael John Hudson, Philippa Bracegirdle, John Simon Kroll, Paul Richard Langford, Steven Anthony Rochford Webb, Keith Cartwright, Cliona Anne O'Dwyer
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Publication number: 20020182412Abstract: Bioactive agent is encapsulated in a polymer microparticle in a (water-in-oil)-in-water emulsion-based method, and using a solvent that comprises ethyl acetate. Also described are microparticles comprising low inherent viscosity (i.v.) PLG, some with i.v. less than 0.5 dl/g, and methods for their preparation. DNA release is modified through use of low i.v. PLG. A particle production method for scale-up uses a blender that avoids excessive shear damage to DNA being encapsulated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: Microbiological Research Authority, a United Kingdom corporationInventors: Graham Henry Farrar, Anne Margaret Tinsley-Bown, David Hugh Jones
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Patent number: 6461617Abstract: A polypeptide has first and second domains which enable the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or which increase the solubility of the polypeptide, or both, and further enable the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis. 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: GrantFiled: February 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignees: Microbiological Research Authority, The Speywood Laboratory LimitedInventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster
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Patent number: 6416754Abstract: A genetically-engineered anaerobic organism is provided which, under anaerobic conditions present in a solid tumor, produces an enzyme capable of catalyzing the conversion of a prodrug to its highly cytotoxic product in situ and methods of treating tumors using same.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1996Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Microbiological Research Authority (MRA) acting through the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research (CAMR)Inventors: John Martin Brown, Nigel P. Minton, Amato Giaccia
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Patent number: 6406719Abstract: Bioactive agent is encapsulated in a polymer microparticle in a (water-in-oil)-in-water emulsion-based method, and using a solvent that-comprises ethyl acetate. Also described are microparticles comprising low inherent viscosity (i.v.) PLG, some with i.v. less than 0.5 dl/g, and methods for their preparation. DNA release is modified through use of low i.v. PLG. A particle production method for scale-up uses a blender that avoids excessive shear damage to DNA being encapsulated.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2001Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: Graham Henry Farrar, Anne Margaret Tinsley-Brown, David Hugh Jones
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Patent number: 6395513Abstract: The invention relates to an agent specific for peripheral sensory afferents. The agent may inhibit the transmission of signals between a primary sensory afferent and a projection neuron by controlling the release of at least one neurotransmitter or neuromodulator from the primary sensory afferent. The agent may be used in or as a pharmaceutical for the treatment of pain, particularly chronic pain.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1999Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignees: The Speywood Laboratory, Ltd., Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: Keith Alan Foster, Michael John Duggan, Clifford Charles Shone
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Publication number: 20020044950Abstract: A polypeptide has first and second domains which enable the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or which increase the solubility of the polypeptide, or both, and further enable the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis. 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 23, 1999Publication date: April 18, 2002Applicant: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: CLIFFORD CHARLES SHONE, CONRAD PADRAIG QUINN, KEITH ALAN FOSTER
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Publication number: 20020034551Abstract: A method of making a microparticle that contains DNA coding for a polypeptide is described in which a solvent extraction method is used and solvent extraction takes place at elevated temperature. Oral administration of the microparticle leads to its expression. DNA coding for an immunogen is for stimulating antibody formation in a recipient and DNA coding for a non-immunogenic polypeptide is for gene therapy applications. DNA is incorporated into the microparticle without destruction of its function.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Applicant: Microbiological Research Authority, United Kingdom corporationInventors: David Hugh Jones, Graham Henry Farrar, James Christopher Stephen Clegg
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Patent number: 6337386Abstract: A toxin assay that uses a substrate for cleavage by the toxin and antibodies that do not recognise the substrate but recognise and bind to the product of cleavage of the substrate by the toxin. The substrate can be a nerve cell peptide when the assay is for botulinum toxin or tetanus toxin.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2000Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Bassam Hallis, Benjamin Arthur Frederick James, Conrad Padraig Quinn
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Patent number: 6309569Abstract: Bioactive agent is encapsulated in a polymer microparticle in a (water-in-oil)-in-water emulsion-based method, and using a solvent that comprises ethyl acetate. Also described are microparticles comprising low inherent viscosity (i.v.) PLG, some with i.v. less than 0.5dl/g, and methods for their preparation. DNA release is modified through use of low i.v. PLG. A particle production method for scale-up uses a blender that avoids excessive shear damage to DNA being encapsulated.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: Graham Henry Farrar, Anne Margaret Tinsley-Bown, David Hugh Jones
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Patent number: 6270795Abstract: A method of making a microparticle that contains DNA coding for a polypeptide is described in which a solvent extraction method is used and solvent extraction takes place at elevated temperature. Oral administration of the microparticle leads to its expression. DNA coding for an immunogen is for stimulating antibody formation in a recipient and DNA coding for a non-immunogenic polypeptide is for gene therapy applications. DNA is incorporated into the microparticle without destruction of its function.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: David Hugh Jones, Graham Henry Farrar, James Christopher Stephen Clegg
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Patent number: 5989545Abstract: The invention relates to an agent specific for peripheral sensory afferents. The agent may inhibit the transmission of signals between a primary sensory afferent and a projection neuron by controlling the release of at least one neurotransmitter or neuromodulator from the primary sensory afferent. The agent may be used in or as a pharmaceutical for the treatment of pain, particularly chronic pain.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignees: The Speywood Laboratory Ltd., Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: Keith Alan Foster, Michael John Duggan, Clifford Charles Shone
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Patent number: 5962637Abstract: A toxin assay that uses a substrate for cleavage by the toxin and antibodies that do not recognise the substrate but recognise and bind to the product of cleavage of the substrate by the toxin. The substrate can be a nerve cell peptide when the assay is for botulinum toxin or tetanus toxin.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1996Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Bassam Hallis, Benjamin Arthur Frederick James, Conrad Padraig Quinn