Patents by Inventor Timothy A. Springer

Timothy A. Springer 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).

  • Patent number: 7927591
    Abstract: The disclosure provides, inter alia, binding proteins (e.g., antibodies) that bind to an integrin in an activated conformation, e.g., activated LFA-1 (“aLFA-1”), e.g., relative to a non-activated conformation of LFA-1. In one embodiment, the binding proteins inhibit at least one function of an aLFA-1, e.g., inhibit a binding interaction between aLFA-1 and a cognate ligand of aLFA-1, e.g., an ICAM protein. The binding proteins can be used to treat or prevent an inflammatory disorder or other disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: The CBR Institute for Biomedical Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cohen, Isaac J. Rondon, Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka
  • Patent number: 7879577
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Publication number: 20100167418
    Abstract: The methods and compositions described herein are based, in part, on the discovery that the introduction of a disulfide bond into an integrin polypeptide by the substitution of at least one cysteine residue in the polypeptide permits stabilization of the integrin in a “closed/inactive” state. This stabilizing disulfide bond permits integrins to be screened for a candidate molecule that can bind to the closed state. In particular, this approach can be used to screen for agents that bind to the closed state of an integrin polypeptide, and are useful as therapeutic treatments to prevent integrin activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: IMMUNE DISEASE INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Bing Hao Luo
  • Publication number: 20100113742
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: The Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Patent number: 7674604
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. Modified integrin I-domain polypeptides stabilized in a desired conformation are also provided, as well as screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domain polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: The Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Publication number: 20090035321
    Abstract: The present invention relates to intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) which are involved in the process through which lymphocytes recognize and migrate to sites of inflammation as well as attach to cellular substrates during inflammation. The invention is directed toward such molecules, screening assays for identifying such molecules and antibodies capable of binding such molecules. The invention also includes uses for adhesion molecules and for the antibodies that are capable of binding them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Robert Rothlein, Steven D. Marlin, Michael L. Dustin
  • Publication number: 20080311130
    Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated polypeptide capable of binding to aCAM-1, comprising the integrin (XL I domain or biologically active portion thereof, wherein one or more residues is substituted, wherein the substituted polypeptide binds ICAM-I at a higher affinity than wild type integrin CCL protein. The invention provides a method for inhibiting ICAM-I and a pharmaceutical composition comprising an integrin (XL I domain polypeptide or biologically active portion of the polypeptides. The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing an LFA-I mediated ICAM-1 associated disease such as inflammation, artherosclerosis, allograft rejection, diabetes, T-cell mediated sensitization reaction, psoriasis, HIV infection, or rheumatoid arthritis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: IMMUNE DISEASE INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Moonsoo Jin, Timothy Springer
  • Patent number: 7354588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) which are involved in the process through which lymphocytes recognize and migrate to sites of inflammation as well as attach to cellular substrates during inflammation. The invention is directed toward such molecules, screening assays for identifying such molecules and antibodies capable of binding such molecules. The invention also includes uses for adhesion molecules and for the antibodies that are capable of binding them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Robert Rothlein, Steven D. Marlin, Michael L. Dustin
  • Publication number: 20080069777
    Abstract: The disclosure provides, inter alia, binding proteins (e.g., antibodies) that bind to an integrin in an activated conformation, e.g., activated LFA-1 (“aLFA-1”), e.g., relative to a non-activated conformation of LFA-1. In one embodiment, the binding proteins inhibit at least one function of an aLFA-1, e.g., inhibit a binding interaction between aLFA-1 and a cognate ligand of aLFA-1, e.g., an ICAM protein. The binding proteins can be used to treat or prevent an inflammatory disorder or other disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Edward H. Cohen, Isaac J. Rondon, Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka
  • Patent number: 7241869
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Patent number: 7160541
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. Modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation are also provided. Finally, screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: The Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Publication number: 20050260192
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Patent number: 6951927
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel proteins with novel integrin and I domain activity and nucleic acids encoding these proteins. The invention further relates to the use of the novel proteins in the treatment of integrin related disorders. TABLE 1 Computationally designed mutantsa WT ido1q ido1r ido2r jlm2r Backbone Energyb 1ido ?1037 ??1145 ?1138 ?1116 ??678 1jlm ?1059 +82758 ??840 ?1000 ?1086 Position Residues 139 I — — V — 153 M — — A — 156 F L W — — 157 V — — I — 160 V I — — — 199 V I I I — 215 I L L — V 219 V — — — I 223 F — — — L 238 V F F I I 239 V L L L — 240 I L L — — 259 A L L — — 269 I L — — — 271 V F — — — 287 I V V V — 299 V A I I — 308 I V — — — aMutants are named according to the structure that was stabilized (ido or jlm), the solvation potential used (1 or 2) and the definition of core residues (q or r).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen Mayo, Julia Shifman, Motomu Shimaoka, Timothy Springer
  • Publication number: 20050182244
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Patent number: 6797270
    Abstract: The invention concerns the use of functional derivatives of ICAM-1 to treat viral infection. The invention also provides a vaccine to prevent such infection, and a diagnostic assay to determine the existence and extent of such infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Donald E. Staunton
  • Patent number: 6777191
    Abstract: The invention concerns the use of functional derivatives of ICAM-1 to treat viral infection. The invention also provides a vaccine to prevent such infection, and a diagnostic assay to determine the existence and extent of such infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Donald E. Staunton
  • Patent number: 6683158
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Mac-1 alpha-subunit which is involved in the process through which cells recognize and migrate to sites of inflammation as well as attach to cellular substrates during inflammation. The invention is directed toward such molecules, the functional derivatives of such molecules, screening assays for identifying such molecules and therapeutic and diagnostic uses for such molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Angel Corbi
  • Publication number: 20030054440
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel proteins with novel integrin and I domain activity and nucleic acids encoding these proteins. The invention further relates to the use of the novel proteins in the treatment of integrin related disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen Mayo, Julia Shifman, Motomu Shimaoka, Timothy Springer
  • Patent number: 6511664
    Abstract: The present invention relates to intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-2) which are involved in the process through which lymphocytes recognize and migrate to sites of inflammation as well as attach to cellular substrates during inflammation. The invention is directed toward such molecules, screening assays for identifying such molecules and antibodies capable of binding such molecules. The invention also includes uses for adhesion molecules and for the antibodies that are capable of binding them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Donald E. Staunton, Michael L. Dustin
  • Publication number: 20030013850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Mac-1 alpha-subunit which is involved in the process through which cells recognize and migrate to sites of inflammation as well as attach to cellular substrates during inflammation. The invention is directed toward such molecules, the functional derivatives of such molecules, screening assays for identifying such molecules and therapeutic and diagnostic uses for such molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Angel Corbi