Patents by Inventor J. Milton Harris

J. Milton Harris has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20150107489
    Abstract: This invention provides a method related to the preparation of derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Michael D. Bentley, J. Milton Harris, Antoni Kozlowski
  • Publication number: 20150079658
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides POZ derivatives having a range of active functional groups allowing conjugation of POZ derivatives to a variety of target molecules under a wide range of reaction conditions to produce a hydrolytically stable target molecule-POZ conjugate. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides novel methods of synthesis for the disclosed POZ derivatives and hydrolytically stable target molecule-POZ conjugates created using the disclosed terminally activated monofunctional POZ derivatives. In one embodiment, the POZ derivative is a terminally activated monofunctional POZ derivative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: J Milton HARRIS, Michael David Bentley, Kunsang Yoon, Zhihao Fang, Francesco Maria Veronese, Tacey Viegas, Anna Mero
  • Publication number: 20150080538
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel functional polyoxazoline derivatives prepared by terminating polyoxazoline polymerization with inert chemical groups. In addition, the present disclosure demonstrates the synthesis of novel electrophilic initiators with protected functional groups capable of initiating oxazoline polymerization and capable of surviving the conditions of polymerization. These initiators are used to synthesize the above inert-terminal polyoxazoline derivatives as well as other polyoxazolines with active terminal groups. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides for polyoxazoline-lipid conjugates and liposomal compositions prepared using such polyoxazoline-lipid conjugates. Methods of using the foregoing to prepare conjugates with target molecules are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Michael D. BENTLEY, J. Milton HARRIS, Kunsang YOON, Michael REIF, Rainer JORDAN
  • Patent number: 8940801
    Abstract: This invention provides a method related to the preparation of derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol), wherein the method comprises increasing the pH of an aqueous composition comprising a poly(ethylene glycol) bearing a —O—(CH2)n—CO2R3 functional group to result in an aqueous composition comprising a poly(ethylene glycol) bearing a —O—(CH2)n—CO2H functional group, wherein R3 is alkyl and (n) in each instance is 1-6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Michael D. Bentley, J. Milton Harris, Antoni Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 8883211
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel functional polyoxazoline derivatives prepared by terminating polyoxazoline polymerization with inert chemical groups. In addition, the present disclosure demonstrates the synthesis of novel electrophilic initiators with protected functional groups capable of initiating oxazoline polymerization and capable of surviving the conditions of polymerization. These initiators are used to synthesize the above inert-terminal polyoxazoline derivatives as well as other polyoxazolines with active terminal groups. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides for polyoxazoline-lipid conjugates and liposomal compositions prepared using such polyoxazoline-lipid conjugates. Methods of using the foregoing to prepare conjugates with target molecules are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Serina Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael David Bentley, J. Milton Harris, Michael Reif, Rainer Jordon, Kunsang Yoon
  • Publication number: 20140309398
    Abstract: The invention provides corticosteroids that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water-soluble oligomer. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits different properties compared to the properties of the corticosteroid not attached to the water-soluble oligomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Wen Zhang, Jennifer Riggs-Sauthier, J. Milton Harris, Michael D. Bentley
  • Publication number: 20140227218
    Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions of conjugates are provided. The conjugates can be prepared by (among other ways) conjugating a pharmacologically active agent with a polymeric reagent that has a particular arrangement of atoms. Related methods, preparations, and so forth are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: J. Milton Harris, Antoni Kozlowski, Samuel P. McManus, Michael D. Bentley, Stephen A. Charles
  • Patent number: 8796248
    Abstract: The invention provides corticosteroids that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water soluble oligomer. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits a reduced biological membrane crossing rate as compared to the biological membrane crossing rate of the corticosteroid not attached to the water soluble oligomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Wen Zhang, Jennifer Riggs-Sauthier, J. Milton Harris, Michael D. Bentley
  • Publication number: 20140073802
    Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, compounds that include a water-soluble and non-peptidic polymer as well as a maleimidyl group. The compounds are useful as, among other things, polymeric reagents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
    Inventors: Samuel P. McManus, Antoni Kozlowski, J. Milton Harris
  • Publication number: 20140066577
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides copolymers of 2-substituted-2-oxazolines possessing two or three reactive functional groups which are also chemically orthogonal. The copolymers described may be random copolymers, block copolymers or a mixture of random and block copolymer configurations. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides novel methods for synthesizing the above polymers and for conjugating to molecules such as targeting, diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Serina Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunsang YOON, J. Milton HARRIS, Michael David BENTLEY, Zhihac FANG, Tacey VIEGAS
  • Patent number: 8633277
    Abstract: Methods for preparing polymer-drug conjugates are provided. The disclosed methods involve polymeric reagents comprising a moiety of atoms arranged in a specific order, wherein the moiety is positioned between a water-soluble polymer and a reactive group. Related methods, compositions, preparations, and so forth are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: J. Milton Harris, Antoni Kozlowski, Samuel P. McManus, Michael D. Bentley, Stephen A. Charles
  • Publication number: 20140011964
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides POZ derivatives having a range of active functional groups allowing conjugation of POZ derivatives to a variety of target molecules under a wide range of reaction conditions to produce a hydrolytically stable target molecule-POZ conjugate. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides novel methods of synthesis for the disclosed POZ derivatives and hydrolytically stable target molecule-POZ conjugates created using the disclosed terminally activated monofunctional POZ derivatives. In one embodiment, the POZ derivative is a terminally activated monofunctional POZ derivative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Serina Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Milton HARRIS, Michael David Bentley, Kunsang Yoon, Zhihao Fang, Francesco Maria Veronese, Tacey Viegas, Anna Mero
  • Patent number: 8604159
    Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, methods for preparing functionalized and other polymers from polymer from polymer alcohols such as poly(ethylene glycol)s. In addition, polymer compositions, conjugates, polymeric reagents, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Samuel P. McManus, Antoni Kozlowski, J. Milton Harris
  • Publication number: 20130281634
    Abstract: Methods for preparing water soluble, non-peptidic polymers carrying carboxyl functional groups, particularly carboxylic acid functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) polymers are disclosed, as are the products of these methods. In general, an ester reagent R(C?O)OR?, wherein R? is a tertiary group and R comprises a functional group X, is reacted with a water soluble, non-peptidic polymer POLY-Y, where Y is a functional group which reacts with X to form a covalent bond, to form a tertiary ester of the polymer, which is then treated with a strong base in aqueous solution, to form a carboxylate salt of the polymer. Typically, this carboxylate salt is then treated with an inorganic acid in aqueous solution, to convert the carboxylate salt to a carboxylic acid, thereby forming a carboxylic acid functionalized polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
    Inventors: J. Milton Harris, Antoni Kozlowski, Lihong Guo
  • Patent number: 8546493
    Abstract: Multi-armed, monofunctional, and hydrolytically stable polymers are described having the structure wherein Z is a moiety that can be activated for attachment to biologically active molecules such as proteins and wherein P and Q represent linkage fragments that join polymer arms polya and polyb, respectively, to central carbon atom, C, by hydrolytically stable linkages in the absence of aromatic rings in the linkage fragments. R typically is hydrogen or methyl, but can be a linkage fragment that includes another polymer arm. A specific example is an mPEG disubstituted lysine having the structure where mPEGa and mPEGb have the structure CH3O—(CH2CH2O)nCH2CH2— where n may be the same or different for polya- and polyb- and can be from 1 to about 1,150 to provide molecular weights of from about 100 to 100,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: J. Milton Harris, Francesco M. Veronese, Paolo Caliceti, Oddone Schiavon
  • Patent number: 8501899
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides copolymers of 2-substituted-2-oxazolines possessing two or three reactive functional groups which are also chemically orthogonal. The copolymers described may be random copolymers, block copolymers or a mixture of random and block copolymer configurations. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides novel methods for synthesizing the above polymers and for conjugating to molecules such as targeting, diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Serina Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunsang Yoon, J. Milton Harris, Michael David Bentley, Zhihao Fang, Tacey Viegas
  • Patent number: 8497357
    Abstract: A heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) is provided having a hydrolytically degradable linkage, a first terminus comprising an acrylate group, and a second terminus comprising a target such as a protein or pharmaceutical agent or a reactive moiety capable of coupling to a target. Hydrogels can be prepared. The hydrogels can be used as a carrier for a protein or a pharmaceutical agent that can be readily released in a controlled fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: J. Milton Harris, Xuan Zhao
  • Patent number: 8404222
    Abstract: PEG and related polymer derivatives having weak, hydrolytically unstable linkages near the reactive end of the polymer are provided for conjugation to drugs, including proteins, enzymes, small molecules, and others. These derivatives provide a sufficient circulation period for a drug-PEG conjugate, followed by hydrolytic breakdown of the conjugate and release of the bound molecule. In some cases, drugs that demonstrate reduced activity when permanently coupled to PEG maintain a therapeutically suitable activity when coupled to a degradable PEG in accordance with the invention. The PEG derivatives of the invention can be used to impart improved water solubility, increased size, a slower rate of kidney clearance, and reduced immunogenicity to a conjugate formed by attachment thereto. Controlled hydrolytic release of the bound molecule into an aqueous environment can then enhance the drug's delivery profile by providing a delivery system which employs such polymers and utilizes the teachings provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventor: J. Milton Harris
  • Patent number: 8354477
    Abstract: Multi-armed, monofunctional, and hydrolytically stable polymers are described having the structure wherein Z is a moiety that can be activated for attachment to biologically active molecules such as proteins and wherein P and Q represent linkage fragments that join polymer arms polya and polyb, respectively, to central carbon atom, C, by hydrolytically stable linkages in the absence of aromatic rings in the linkage fragments. R typically is hydrogen or methyl, but can be a linkage fragment that includes another polymer arm. A specific example is an mPEG disubstituted lysine having the structure where mPEGa and mPEGb have the structure CH3O—(CH2CH2O)nCH2CH2— wherein n may be the same or different for polya- and polyb- and can be from 1 to about 1,150 to provide molecular weights of from about 100 to 100,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: J. Milton Harris, Francesco Maria Veronese, Paolo Caliceti, Oddone Schiavon
  • Patent number: 8283434
    Abstract: Methods for preparing a poly(ether carbonates) of the formula HO—[(CH2CH2—O)n—CO2]m—(CH2CH2—O)n—H are provided. The method comprises polymerizing an activated oligomer of the formula of H—O—(CH2CH2—O)n—CO2—Z, where Z is reactive leaving group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: J. Milton Harris, Michael David Bentley, Xuan Zhao, Xiaoming Shen