Patents by Inventor Loren D. Walensky

Loren D. Walensky 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: 20220213146
    Abstract: Provided herein is a platform technology for designing stabilized peptides that covalently bind their target protein and thereby inhibit the activity of the target protein. Also provided are exemplary stabilized peptides that can be used for covalent modification of their target proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Gregory H. Bird
  • Publication number: 20220204572
    Abstract: The invention provides structurally-constrained peptides by hydrocarbon stapling of a BCL9 HD2 helix for use as a therapeutic agent. The invention further provides methods and kits for use of the structurally-constrained peptide of the instant invention. The invention is based, at least in part, on the results provided herein demonstrating that hydrocarbon stapled helical peptides display excellent proteolytic, acid, and thermal stability, restore the native helical structure of the peptide, possess superior pharmacokinetic properties compared to the corresponding unmodified peptides, and are highly effective in binding to ?-catenin in vitro, in cellulo, and in vivo, disrupting the BCL9/?-catenin interaction, and thereby interfering with deregulated Wnt/?-catenin signaling for therapeutic benefit in a variety of human diseases including human cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Ruben Carrasco, Gregory H. Bird
  • Patent number: 11358960
    Abstract: This application features pyrazol-3-one compounds that activate pro-apoptotic BAX. Also featured are methods of using such compounds, e.g., for the treatment or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with deregulated apoptosis of cells (e.g., insufficient apoptosis of diseased or damaged cells or essentially the absence of apoptosis of diseased or damaged cells).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Evripidis Gavathiotis
  • Publication number: 20220169688
    Abstract: This disclosure features structurally-stabilized and/or warhead-bearing structurally stabilized peptide inhibitors for targeting ubiquitin activating enzymes (E1). Also disclosed are methods of using such structurally-stabilized and warhead-bearing structurally stabilized peptides in the treatment of E1-expressing or -dependent cancers or diseases. Also provided are combination therapies N comprising such structurally-stabilized and/or warhead-bearing structurally stabilized peptide for the treatment of E1-expressing or -dependent diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Ann Morgan Cathcart, Gregory H. Bird
  • Patent number: 11325955
    Abstract: Methods of generating and optimizing stabilized (e.g., stapled and/or stitched) anti-microbial peptides (StAMPs) for the prophylaxis and treatment of antibiotic-resistant (e.g., colistin-resistant, methicillin resistant, meropenem-resistant) bacterial infections (e.g., Gram-negative, Gram-positive), and methods for using such peptides for experimental investigation, livestock management, management of crops/trees/plants, and/or therapeutic benefit. Also featured are methods for reducing renal toxicity of a StAMP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Rida Mourtada
  • Publication number: 20220098260
    Abstract: Provided herein are polypeptides containing stabilized BH4 domains of BCL-2 family proteins that are capable of binding and/or inactivating and/or modulating BAX protein, and/or its close homologues BAK and BOK, and/or other physiological BH4 targets. Also provided are compositions containing these polypeptides and methods of treating cytotoxic diseases that include administering to a subject one of the polypeptides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Michelle L. Stewart, Lauren Barclay
  • Publication number: 20220018847
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a mass spectrometry tag may comprise a linker region, a mass balance region, and a reporter region. The mass spectrometry tag may be configured to fragment in a mass spectrometer via an energy dependent process to produce multiple reporter molecules. For example, the reporter region of the tag may be configured to produce at least two reporter molecules via fragmentation. In some embodiments, one or more regions of the tag may comprise at least one heavy isotope. In some such embodiments, the ability to fragment into multiple reporter molecules as well as the placement and/or number of heavy isotope(s) allows the mass spectrometry tag to be distinguished from other similar mass spectrometry tags. In some such embodiments, the ability to distinguish between tags having the same or substantially similar total mass to charge ratio and reporter region mass may allow the system to have a greater multiplexing capacity than conventional systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicants: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Braun, Wilhelm Haas, Steven P. Gygi, Gregory H. Bird, Loren D. Walensky, Martin Helmut Wuhr, Brian K. Erickson
  • Patent number: 11220532
    Abstract: The invention provides structurally-constrained peptides by hydrocarbon stapling of a BCL9 HD2 helix for use as a therapeutic agent. The invention further provides methods and kits for use of the structurally-constrained peptide of the instant invention. The invention is based, at least in part, on the results provided herein demonstrating that hydrocarbon stapled helical peptides display excellent proteolytic, acid, and thermal stability, restore the native helical structure of the peptide, possess superior pharmacokinetic properties compared to the corresponding unmodified peptides, and are highly effective in binding to ?-catenin in vitro, in cellulo, and in vivo, disrupting the BCL9/?-catenin interaction, and thereby interfering with deregulated Wnt/?-catenin signaling for therapeutic benefit in a variety of human diseases including human cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Ruben Carrasco, Gregory H. Bird
  • Patent number: 11169155
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a mass spectrometry tag may comprise a linker region, a mass balance region, and a reporter region. The mass spectrometry tag may be configured to fragment in a mass spectrometer via an energy dependent process to produce multiple reporter molecules. For example, the reporter region of the tag may be configured to produce at least two reporter molecules via fragmentation. In some embodiments, one or more regions of the tag may comprise at least one heavy isotope. In some such embodiments, the ability to fragment into multiple reporter molecules as well as the placement and/or number of heavy isotope(s) allows the mass spectrometry tag to be distinguished from other similar mass spectrometry tags. In some such embodiments, the ability to distinguish between tags having the same or substantially similar total mass to charge ratio and reporter region mass may allow the system to have a greater multiplexing capacity than conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Braun, Wilhelm Haas, Steven P. Gygi, Gregory H. Bird, Loren D. Walensky, Martin Helmut Wuhr, Brian K. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20210304840
    Abstract: A system for visually representing peptide sequences includes a memory configured to store instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations. The operations include receiving data representing a peptide sequence. The data includes an index representing a position for each amino acid in the peptide sequence. The operations further include categorizing each amino acid in the peptide sequence and assigning each amino acid a value associated with the category. The operations additionally include determining relationship groups, each group including two amino acids in the peptide sequence, based upon a geometrical structure of the peptide sequence. The operations also include filtering the relationship groups to remove groups based upon the category of at least one of the two amino acids that make up the group; and producing a visual representation that includes a representation of each amino acid of the filtered relationship groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Rida Mourtada, Henry D. Herce, Loren D. Walensky
  • Patent number: 11105810
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a mass spectrometry tag may comprise a linker region, a mass balance region, and a reporter region. The mass spectrometry tag may be configured to fragment in a mass spectrometer via an energy dependent process to produce multiple reporter molecules. For example, the reporter region of the tag may be configured to produce at least two reporter molecules via fragmentation. In some embodiments, one or more regions of the tag may comprise at least one heavy isotope. In some such embodiments, the ability to fragment into multiple reporter molecules as well as the placement and/or number of heavy isotope(s) allows the mass spectrometry tag to be distinguished from other similar mass spectrometry tags. In some such embodiments, the ability to distinguish between tags having the same or substantially similar total mass to charge ratio and reporter region mass may allow the system to have a greater multiplexing capacity than conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Braun, Wilhelm Haas, Steven P. Gygi, Gregory H. Bird, Loren D. Walensky, Martin Helmut Wuhr, Brian K. Erickson
  • Patent number: 11078246
    Abstract: This disclosure features stapled peptide inhibitors (e.g., cysteine-reactive stapled peptides) of the anti-apoptotic protein, BFL-1, and methods of using same in the treatment of BFL-1 expressing cancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Gregory H. Bird
  • Patent number: 11046739
    Abstract: Provided herein are polypeptides containing stabilized BH4 domains of BCL-2 family proteins that are capable of binding and/or inactivating and/or modulating BAX protein, and/or its close homologues BAK and BOK, and/or other physiological BH4 targets. Also provided are compositions containing these polypeptides and methods of treating cytotoxic diseases that include administering to a subject one of the polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Michelle L. Stewart, Lauren Barclay
  • Publication number: 20210094990
    Abstract: Provided herein are peptide-based therapeutics that target FOXP3 and methods of use thereof to decrease the immunosuppressive effects of Tregs and inhibit immune dysregulation, while sparring inhibition of activated cytotoxic T cells, for example, in the context of anti-tumor immune responses, autoimmunity, inflammatory conditions, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: James LaBelle, Rachel Eclov, Gregory Bird, Loren D. Walensky
  • Publication number: 20210070802
    Abstract: This disclosure features structurally-stabilized and/or cysteine-reactive peptide inhibitors for selective targeting of BFL-1, or dual targeting of BFL-1 and MCL-1. Also disclosed are methods of using such structurally-stabilized and cysteine-reactive peptides in the treatment of BFL-1- and/or MCL-1-expressing or -dependent cancers or diseases of cellular excess (e.g., autoimmune or inflammatory conditions). Also provided are combination therapies comprising such structurally-stabilized and/or cysteine-reactive peptides and inhibitors of the DNA damage response pathway, such as an ATM kinase inhibitor, ATR kinase inhibitor, CHK1/2 inhibitor, or PARP inhibitor; or an inhibitor of MCL-1, or a selective inhibitor of BCL-2, or an inhibitor of BCL-2/BCL-XL, for the treatment of BFL-1-expressing or -dependent cancers (e.g., AML), BFL-1 and MCL-1-expressing or -dependent cancers, or diseases of cellular excess (e.g., autoimmune or inflammatory conditions).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Gregory H. Bird, Rachel Guerra, Edward Harvey
  • Publication number: 20210061856
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to cell-permeable stabilized peptide modules and methods of use for e.g., cellular delivery of cargoes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Rida Mourtada, Henry D. Herce
  • Publication number: 20210032234
    Abstract: This application features pyrazol-3-one compounds that activate pro-apoptotic BAX. Also featured are methods of using such compounds, e.g., for the treatment or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with deregulated apoptosis of cells (e.g., insufficient apoptosis of diseased or damaged cells or essentially the absence of apoptosis of diseased or damaged cells).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Evripidis Gavathiotis
  • Publication number: 20210002336
    Abstract: The invention provides structurally-constrained peptides by hydrocarbon stapling of a BCL9 HD2 helix for use as a therapeutic agent. The invention further provides methods and kits for use of the structurally-constrained peptide of the instant invention. The invention is based, at least in part, on the results provided herein demonstrating that hydrocarbon stapled helical peptides display excellent proteolytic, acid, and thermal stability, restore the native helical structure of the peptide, possess superior pharmacokinetic properties compared to the corresponding unmodified peptides, and are highly effective in binding to ?-catenin in vitro, in cellulo, and in vivo, disrupting the BCL-9/?-catenin interaction, and thereby interfering with deregulated Wnt/?-catenin signaling for therapeutic benefit in a variety of human diseases including human cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Ruben Carrasco, Gregory H. Bird
  • Publication number: 20200408746
    Abstract: This disclosure describes stabilized peptides and methods for detecting a biomarker on, outside, or within a live cell or tissue, or in a cell or tissue that has been fixed for an immunological assay or histopathologic evaluation. The present disclosure further describes stabilized peptides and methods for diagnosing and/or monitoring the progression of a disease in a subject, or for monitoring the efficacy of a disease treatment in a subject, based on the presence of a biomarker, the amount of a biomarker, and/or the localization of a biomarker in a live or fixed cell or tissue obtained from a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Henry D. Herce, Rida Mourtada
  • Publication number: 20200408767
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to the surprising and unexpected finding that the well-known cancer protein, Myeloid Cell Leukemia-1 (MCL-1), binds to and modulates the enzymatic activity of Very Long Chain Acyl CoA Dehydrogenase (VLCAD), thereby regulating fatty acid ?-oxidation. This finding is employed in compositions and methods of treating cancer, metabolic diseases, or other conditions characterized by excessive fatty acid ?-oxidation by blocking or reducing the energy production of cells (e.g., cancer) through inhibiting the MCL-1/VLCAD interaction and/or directly inhibiting VLCAD enzymatic activity. In addition, the disclosure features methods for identifying such agents that inhibit the interaction between MCL-1 and VLCAD or that inhibit VLCAD enzymatic activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Loren D. Walensky, Silvia Escudero