Patents by Inventor Luigi Grasso

Luigi Grasso 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: 20230398232
    Abstract: Tumors utilize multiple mechanisms to avoid the host's anti-tumor immune response. Humoral immunosuppression is one of the mechanisms. Tumors produce circulating factors that can suppress antibody or complement-mediated immune responses to enhance their own survival. Mesothelin is a cell surface protein overexpressed by several cancer types that are associated with tumors exhibiting immunosuppressed microenvironments. Anti-mesothelin antibodies are often subject to such immunosuppressive microenvironments. Alternatively formatted anti-mesothelin antibodies, however, are effective in killing mesothelin-expressing cancers irrespective of tumor microenvironment immune status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Luigi Grasso, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, James Bradford Kline
  • Publication number: 20230203182
    Abstract: The CA125/MUC16 protein has been found to be a suppressor of humoral immunity, in particular, antibody-mediated humoral immunity mediated through the direct binding to a subset of antibodies. Antibody variants can be generated that have reduced or eliminated CA125 binding yet retain the antigen specificity of the parental antibody. These can be used in treating patients with elevated CA125. CA 125-refractory antibodies are developed and used for treatment. Additionally, proteins that enhance humoral immunity in the presence of CA125 can be used to counter the suppression of humoral immunity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Luigi Grasso, James Bradford Kline
  • Publication number: 20230001004
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for generating conjugated immunoglobulins, the method comprising: decapping a cysteine at amino acid position 80 (“Cys80”) in a light chain variable region of an immunoglobulin, wherein the immunoglobulin comprises a heavy chain variable region and the light chain variable region; and conjugating a thiol-reactive compound to the Cys80, wherein the thiol-reactive compound comprises a thiol-reactive group. Antigen-binding molecules and methods for generating the same, immunoglobulins as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the immunoglobulins and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules, conjugated immunoglobulins, and light chain variable regions for use in a conjugated immunoglobulin are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Luigi Grasso, Jared Spidel, James Bradford Kline, Earl Albone
  • Patent number: 11129904
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for generating conjugated immunoglobulins, the method comprising: decapping a cysteine at amino acid position 80 (“Cys80”) in a light chain variable region of an immunoglobulin, wherein the immunoglobulin comprises a heavy chain variable region and the light chain variable region; and conjugating a thiol-reactive compound to the Cys80, wherein the thiol-reactive compound comprises a thiol-reactive group. Antigen-binding molecules and methods for generating the same, immunoglobulins as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the immunoglobulins and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules, conjugated immunoglobulins, and light chain variable regions for use in a conjugated immunoglobulin are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Eisai R&D Managment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Luigi Grasso, Jared Spidel, James Bradford Kline, Earl Albone
  • Publication number: 20210285960
    Abstract: Using protein structural probes one can identify tumor-induced or -produced (TIPS) factors that bind to therapeutic antibodies and change their dynamic structure, thereby negatively affecting their humoral immune functions as well as their pharmacologic activity. Using such protein structural probes and TIPS factors one can screen and identify inhibitors that can counter the binding of TIPS factors to affected therapeutic antibodies. These inhibitors can be used in the presence of a TIPS factor-susceptible antibody (TSA) for treating cancer. An inhibitor can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy for treating cancer. Patients can be screened to identify those with low or no TIPS factor production as candidates for antibody therapy even in the case in which the antibody is a TSA. Conversely, those with high TIPS factor production are candidates for inhibitor therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Luigi Grasso
  • Publication number: 20210040174
    Abstract: The CA125/MUC16 protein has been found to be a suppressor of humoral immunity, in particularly antibody-mediated humoral immunity. The generation of antagonists that can block its immune suppressive effects on antibodies may lead to enhanced therapeutic responses by antibodies that are negatively impacted by CA125/MUC16. In addition, it offers the ability to unlock humoral immune suppression of a patient's endogenous humoral response that may be suppressed by CA125/MUC16 suppression. CA125/MUC16 antagonists can be used to enhance humoral response of therapeutic antibodies and patients with CA125/MUC16-expressing diseases, including cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Navrogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Luigi Grasso, James Bradford Kline
  • Patent number: 10509037
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to the alpha-folate receptor. In some embodiments, the antibodies inhibit a biological activity of folate receptor-? (FR-?). The antibodies are useful in the treatment of certain cancers, particularly cancers that have increased cell surface expression of the alpha-folate receptor (“FR-?”), such as ovarian, breast, renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain cancer. The invention also relates to cells expressing the monoclonal antibodies, antibody derivatives, such as chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies, antibody fragments, and methods of detecting and treating cancer using the antibodies, derivatives, and fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Eisai, Inc.
    Inventors: Luigi Grasso, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Philip M. Sass
  • Patent number: 10364284
    Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies that specifically bind and neutralize Staphylococcus enterotoxin B. In addition, nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, and cells that express such antibodies are provided. Also provided are methods for treating diseases mediated by, and for neutralizing Staphylococcus enterotoxin B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Eisai, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Sass, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Luigi Grasso, Marc Berger, Tao Sai
  • Publication number: 20190202933
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for generating conjugated immunoglobulins, the method comprising: decapping a cysteine at amino acid position 80 (“Cys80”) in a light chain variable region of an immunoglobulin, wherein the immunoglobulin comprises a heavy chain variable region and the light chain variable region; and conjugating a thiol-reactive compound to the Cys80, wherein the thiol-reactive compound comprises a thiol-reactive group. Antigen-binding molecules and methods for generating the same, immunoglobulins as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the immunoglobulins and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules, conjugated immunoglobulins, and light chain variable regions for use in a conjugated immunoglobulin are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Luigi Grasso, Jared Spidel, James Bradford Kline, Earl Albone
  • Patent number: 10273310
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for generating conjugated immunoglobulins, the method comprising: decapping a cysteine at amino acid position 80 (“Cys80”) in a light chain variable region of an immunoglobulin, wherein the immunoglobulin comprises a heavy chain variable region and the light chain variable region; and conjugating a thiol-reactive compound to the Cys80, wherein the thiol-reactive compound comprises a thiol-reactive group. Antigen-binding molecules and methods for generating the same, immunoglobulins as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the immunoglobulins and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules, conjugated immunoglobulins, and light chain variable regions for use in a conjugated immunoglobulin are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Eisai R&D Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Luigi Grasso, Jared Spidel, James Bradford Kline, Earl Albone
  • Patent number: 10253106
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that specifically bind to and have the ability in the alternative to become internalized by cells expressing folate receptor alpha (FRA) and to induce an immune effector activity such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The antibodies are useful in specific delivery of pharmacologic agents to FRA-expressing cells as well as in eliciting an immune-effector activity particularly on tumor cells and precursors. The invention is also related to nucleotides encoding the antibodies of the invention, cells expressing the antibodies; methods of detecting cancer cells; and methods of treating cancer using the antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Eisai, Inc.
    Inventors: Luigi Grasso, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Philip M. Sass
  • Patent number: 10053509
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for inhibiting the interaction of endosialin with endosialin ligands. The inhibition is effectuated on the genetic level, by inhibiting endosialin gene expression, and on the protein level, by blocking the interaction of cell-surface expressed endosialin with ligands such as fibronectin and collagen. The invention provides methods for identifying inhibitors of the interaction of endosialin with endosialin ligands. Also provided are methods for inhibiting angiogenesis and neovascularization in vivo and in vitro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Eisai, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhong Zhou, Brian Tomkowicz, Luigi Grasso, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Philip M. Sass
  • Patent number: 10023632
    Abstract: Hybridoma lines that secrete human monoclonal antibodies with high binding specificity and biological activity, particularly neutralizing activity against granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, and methods of generating the hybridoma lines are provided. Target antigens and epitopes are also provided. The antibodies may be used in therapeutic methods, for example in the treatment of cancer, infectious disease, or autoimmune disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Morphotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Sass, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Luigi Grasso, Wolfgang Ebel, Jian Li, Qimin Chao, Eric Routhier
  • Publication number: 20180094048
    Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies that specifically bind and neutralize Staphylococcus enterotoxin B. In addition, nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, and cells that express such antibodies are provided. Also provided are methods for treating diseases mediated by, and for neutralizing Staphylococcus enterotoxin B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Philip M. Sass, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Luigi Grasso, Marc Berger, Tao Sai
  • Patent number: 9868780
    Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies that specifically bind and neutralize Staphylococcus enterotoxin B. In addition, nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, and cells that express such antibodies are provided. Also provided are methods for treating diseases mediated by, and for neutralizing Staphylococcus enterotoxin B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Morphotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Sass, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Luigi Grasso, Marc Berger, Tao Sai
  • Patent number: 9809647
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel humanized, chimeric and murine antibodies that have binding specificity for the human CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20). The present invention further relates to heavy chains and light chains of said antibodies. The invention also relates to isolated nucleic acids, recombinant vectors and host cells that comprise a sequence which encodes a heavy chain and/or a light chain of said antibodies, and to a method of preparing said antibodies. The anti-CCL20 antibodies of the invention can be used in therapeutic applications to treat, for example, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders and cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Eisai R&D Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Imai, James Bradford Kline, Tetsu Kawano, Luigi Grasso, Yoshimasa Sakamoto, Jared Spidel, Miyuki Nishimura, Kenzo Muramoto, Tatsuo Horizoe
  • Publication number: 20170184603
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to the alpha-folate receptor. In some embodiments, the antibodies inhibit a biological activity of folate receptor-? (FR-?). The antibodies are useful in the treatment of certain cancers, particularly cancers that have increased cell surface expression of the alpha-folate receptor (“FR-?”), such as ovarian, breast, renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain cancer. The invention also relates to cells expressing the monoclonal antibodies, antibody derivatives, such as chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies, antibody fragments, and methods of detecting and treating cancer using the antibodies, derivatives, and fragments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Luigi Grasso, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Philip M. Sass
  • Patent number: 9650440
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to the alpha-folate receptor. In some embodiments, the antibodies inhibit a biological activity of folate receptor-? (FR-?). The antibodies are useful in the treatment of certain cancers, particularly cancers that have increased cell surface expression of the alpha-folate receptor (“FR-?”), such as ovarian, breast, renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain cancer. The invention also relates to cells expressing the monoclonal antibodies, antibody derivatives, such as chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies, antibody fragments, and methods of detecting and treating cancer using the antibodies, derivatives, and fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Morphotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Luigi Grasso, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Philip M. Sass
  • Publication number: 20170121396
    Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies that specifically bind and neutralize Staphylococcus enterotoxin B. In addition, nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, and cells that express such antibodies are provided. Also provided are methods for treating diseases mediated by, and for neutralizing Staphylococcus enterotoxin B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Philip M. Sass, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Luigi Grasso, Marc Berger, Tao Sai
  • Patent number: 9624297
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to the alpha-folate receptor. In some embodiments, the antibodies inhibit a biological activity of folate receptor-? (FR-?). The antibodies are useful in the treatment of certain cancers, particularly cancers that have increased cell surface expression of the alpha-folate receptor (“FR-?”), such as ovarian, breast, renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain cancer. The invention also relates to cells expressing the monoclonal antibodies, antibody derivatives, such as chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies, antibody fragments, and methods of detecting and treating cancer using the antibodies, derivatives, and fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Morphotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Luigi Grasso, Nicholas C. Nicolaides, Philip M. Sass