Patents by Inventor Urve Toots

Urve Toots 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: 20230340542
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and landing pad constructs for generation of parental cell lines suitable for targeted integration. A method is provided by the parental cell line development; this is, the introduction of binding sites of BPV1 E2 protein to landing pad vectors so that expressed BPV1 E2 protein could locate the vector to transcriptionally active region in the genome. Cells with high expression level of reporter genes are selected for the next stage and will be used in the development of cell lines expressing another recombinant protein by recombination mediated cassette exchange (RMCE). Landing pad constructs include recombination target sites for site-specific recombinases, and therefore, it could be replaced with gene-of-interest expression construct containing the same set of recombination target sites. This yields the generation of producer cell lines with less effort compared to traditional cell line development by random integration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Kadri ÕUNAP, Eva-Maria TOMBAK, Mart TOOTS, Madis JAKOBSON, Mart USTAV, Jr., Kerttu MURUMETS, Urve TOOTS, Andres MÄNNIK, Mart USTAV, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11685936
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and landing pad constructs for generation of parental cell lines suitable for targeted integration. A method is provided by the parental cell line development; this is, the introduction of binding sites of BPV1 E2 protein to landing pad vectors so that expressed BPV1 E2 protein could locate the vector to transcriptionally active region in the genome. Cells with high expression level of reporter genes are selected for the next stage and will be used in the development of cell lines expressing another recombinant protein by recombination mediated cassette exchange (RMCE). Landing pad constructs include recombination target sites for site-specific recombinases, and therefore, it could be replaced with gene-of-interest expression construct containing the same set of recombination target sites. This yields the generation of producer cell lines with less effort compared to traditional cell line development by random integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ
    Inventors: Kadri Õunap, Eva-Maria Tombak, Mart Toots, Madis Jakobson, Mart Ustav, Jr., Kerttu Murumets, Urve Toots, Andres Männik, Mart Ustav, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20200123576
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and landing pad constructs for generation of parental cell lines suitable for targeted integration. A method is provided by the parental cell line development; this is, the introduction of binding sites of BPV1 E2 protein to landing pad vectors so that expressed BPV1 E2 protein could locate the vector to transcriptionally active region in the genome. Cells with high expression level of reporter genes are selected for the next stage and will be used in the development of cell lines expressing another recombinant protein by recombination mediated cassette exchange (RMCE). Landing pad constructs include recombination target sites for site-specific recombinases, and therefore, it could be replaced with gene-of-interest expression construct containing the same set of recombination target sites. This yields the generation of producer cell lines with less effort compared to traditional cell line development by random integration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ
    Inventors: Kadri ÕUNAP, Eva-Maria TOMBAK, Mart TOOTS, Madis JAKOBSON, Mart USTAV, Jr., Kerttu MURUMETS, Urve TOOTS, Andres MÄNNIK, Mart USTAV, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9725486
    Abstract: A method for treating an HIV disease in a subject in need of said treatment, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a DNA vaccine comprising an expression vector and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, where the expression vector comprises: (a) a heterologous promoter operatively linked to a DNA sequence encoding a nuclear-anchoring protein, where the nuclear-anchoring protein comprises: (i) a DNA binding domain which binds to a specific DNA binding sequence, and (ii) a functional domain of the Bovine Papilloma Virus Type 1 E2 protein, where the functional domain binds to a nuclear component; (b) a multimerized DNA sequence that forms a binding site for the nuclear anchoring protein; and (c) at least one expression cassette comprising a DNA sequence encoding a protein or peptide that stimulates an immune response specific to the protein or peptide; where the expression vector lacks an origin of replication functional in mammalian cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Fit Biotech OY
    Inventors: Kai Krohn, Vesna Blazevic, Marja Tähtinen, Mart Ustav, Urve Toots, Andres Männik, Annamari Ranki, Ene Ustav
  • Patent number: 9474800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alphaviral replicase, especially Semliki Forest Virus replicase, or an expression vector encoding an alphaviral replicase, said alphaviral replicase comprising RNA dependent RNA polymerase activity, for use as an immune system modulating adjuvant. The alphaviral replicase may be used in the combination with a vaccine providing an adjuvant function therein, which when present therein will generate an additional boost to the immune response in the subject to whom this combination is administered as compared to when the vaccine alone is administered to a subject in need thereof. The aim of the present invention is to provide an efficient and easy to administer, species-independent adjuvant which will provide advantages to the adjuvants used together with vaccines today.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FIT Biotech OY
    Inventors: Kaja Kiiver, Rein Sikut, Urve Toots, Tarmo Mölder, Andres Männik, Mart Ustav, Katrin Kaldma
  • Publication number: 20140234361
    Abstract: A method for treating an HIV disease in a subject in need of said treatment, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a DNA vaccine comprising an expression vector and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, where the expression vector comprises: (a) a heterologous promoter operatively linked to a DNA sequence encoding a nuclear-anchoring protein, where the nuclear-anchoring protein comprises: (i) a DNA binding domain which binds to a specific DNA binding sequence, and (ii) a functional domain of the Bovine Papilloma Virus Type 1 E2 protein, where the functional domain binds to a nuclear component; (b) a multimerized DNA sequence that forms a binding site for the nuclear anchoring protein; and (c) at least one expression cassette comprising a DNA sequence encoding a protein or peptide that stimulates an immune response specific to the protein or peptide; where the expression vector lacks an origin of replication functional in mammalian cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: FIT Biotech Oy
    Inventors: Kai KROHN, Vesna Blazevic, Marja Tähtinen, Mart Ustav, Urve Toots, Andres Männik, Annamari Ranki, Ene Ustav
  • Publication number: 20130236958
    Abstract: This disclosure shows that the EBV FR-element comprised of EBNA1 multimeric binding sites can provide the stable maintenance replication function to the mouse polyomavirus (PyV) core origin plasmids in the presence of BPV-1 E2 protein and PyV large T-antigen (LT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: ICOSAGEN CELL FACTORY OU
    Inventors: Toomas SILLA, Ingrid TAGEN, Jelizaveta GEIMANEN, Kadri JANIKSON, Aare ABROI, Ene USTAV, Mart USTAV, Tiiu MANDEL, Urve TOOTS, Andres TOVER, Anne KALLING, Radi TEGOVA
  • Patent number: 8377653
    Abstract: This disclosure shows that the EBV FR-element comprised of EBNA1 multimeric binding sites can provide the stable maintenance replication function to the mouse polyomavirus (PyV) core origin plasmids in the presence of BPV-1 E2 protein and PyV large T-antigen (LT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Icosagen Cell Factory Oü
    Inventors: Toomas Silla, Ingrid Tagen, Anne Kalling, Radi Tegova, Mart Ustav, Tiiu Mandel, Urve Toots, Andres Tover, Aare Abroi, Ene Ustav, Jelizaveta Geimanen, Kadri Janikson
  • Publication number: 20110171255
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alphaviral replicase, especially Semliki Forest Virus replicase, or an expression vector encoding an alphaviral replicase, said alphaviral replicase comprising RNA dependent RNA polymerase activity, for use as an immune system modulating adjuvant. The alphaviral replicase may be used in the combination with a vaccine providing an adjuvant function therein, which when present therein will generate an additional boost to the immune response in the subject to whom this combination is administered as compared to when the vaccine alone is administered to a subject in need thereof. The aim of the present invention is to provide an efficient and easy to administer, species-independent adjuvant which will provide advantages to the adjuvants used together with vaccines today.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Fit Biotech Oy
    Inventors: Kaja Kiiver, Rein Sikut, Urve Toots, Tarmo Mölder, Andres Männik, Mart Ustav, Katrin Kaldma
  • Publication number: 20110076760
    Abstract: This disclosure shows that the EBV FR-element comprised of EBNA1 multimeric binding sites can provide the stable maintenance replication function to the mouse polyomavirus (PyV) core origin plasmids in the presence of BPV-1 E2 protein and PyV large T-antigen (LT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Icosagen S.A.
    Inventors: Toomas Silla, Ingrid Tagen, Anne Kalling, Radi Tegova, Mart Ustav, Tiiu Mandel, Urve Toots, Andres Tover, Aare Abroi, Ene Ustav, Jelizaveta Geimanen, Kadri Janikson
  • Publication number: 20090252707
    Abstract: A method for treating an HIV disease in a subject in need of said treatment, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a DNA vaccine comprising an expression vector and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, where the expression vector comprises: (a) a heterologous promoter operatively linked to a DNA sequence encoding a nuclear-anchoring protein, where the nuclear-anchoring protein comprises: (i) a DNA binding domain which binds to a specific DNA binding sequence, and (ii) a functional domain of the Bovine Papilloma Virus Type 1 E2 protein, where the functional domain binds to a nuclear component; (b) a multimerized DNA sequence that forms a binding site for the nuclear anchoring protein; and (c) at least one expression cassette comprising a DNA sequence encoding a protein or peptide that stimulates an immune response specific to the protein or peptide; where the expression vector lacks an origin of replication functional in mammalian cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: FIT BIOTECH OY
    Inventors: KAI KROHN, VESNA BLAZEVIC, MARJA TAHTINEN, MART USTAV, URVE TOOTS, ANDRES MANNIK, ANNAMARI RANKI, ENE USTAV
  • Patent number: 7521182
    Abstract: A selection system free of antibiotic resistance genes, which is based on the use of an araD gene as a selection marker carried on a vector which is inserted in a bacterial strain deficient of the araD gene. The araD gene from E. coli encodes the L-ribulose-5-phosphate-4-epimerase. A method of selecting the cells transformed with a plasmid, which contains the araD gene. The non-antibiotic selection marker makes the system suitable for producing therapeutics. The araD gene is not essential for growth of the host but manipulation of it affects the growth under certain selective conditions. Deletion of araD leads to accumulation of substance which is toxic to the host but not to humans. The araD gene is relatively small and therefore a small plasmid may be constructed, which requires less energy for replication, and leads to increased growth rate and yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: FIT Biotech OY
    Inventors: Tanel Tenson, Silja Laht, Maarja Ado-Jaan, Andres Männik, Urve Toots, Mart Ustav
  • Patent number: 7510718
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel vectors, to DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics containing the vectors, to methods for the preparation of the vectors and DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics containing the vectors, and to therapeutic uses of the vectors. The novel vectors comprise (a) an expression cassette of a gene of a nuclear-anchoring protein, which contains (i) a DNA binding domain capable of binding to a specific DNA sequence and (ii) a functional domain capable of binding to a nuclear component and (b) a multimerized DNA sequence forming a binding site for the anchoring protein, and optionally (c) one or more expression cassettes of a DNA sequence of interest. The vectors lack a papilloma virus origin of replication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Fit Biotech Oyj PLC
    Inventors: Kai Krohn, Vesna Blazevic, Marja Tahtinen, Mart Ustav, Urve Toots, Andres Mannik, Annamari Ranki, Ene Ustav
  • Patent number: 7498314
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel vectors, to DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics containing said vectors, to methods for the preparation of the vectors and DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics, and to therapeutic uses of said vectors. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel vectors comprising an expression cassette of a gene of a nuclear-anchoring protein, which contains a DNA binding domain capable of binding to a specific DNA sequence and a functional domain capable of binding to a nuclear component and a multimerized DNA sequence forming a binding site for the nuclear-anchoring protein, and optionally an expression cassette of a gene, genes or a DNA sequence or DNA sequences of interest. The present invention further relates to DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics containing the novel vectors, to methods for the preparation of the novel vectors and the DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Fit Biotech Oyj PLC
    Inventors: Kai Krohn, Vesna Blazevic, Marja Tähtinen, Mart Ustav, Urve Toots, Andres Männik, Annamari Ranki, Ene Ustav
  • Publication number: 20070036822
    Abstract: A selection system free of antibiotic resistance genes, which is based on the use of an araD gene as a selection marker carried on a vector which is inserted in a bacterial strain deficient of the araD gene. The araD gene from E. coli encodes the L-ribulose-5-phosphate-4-epimerase. A method of selecting the cells transformed with a plasmid, which contains the araD gene. The non-antibiotic selection marker makes the system suitable for producing therapeutics. The araD gene is not essential for growth of the host but manipulation of it affects the growth under certain selective conditions. Deletion of araD leads to accumulation of substance which is toxic to the host but not to humans. The araD gene is relatively small and therefore a small plasmid may be constructed, which requires less energy for replication, and leads to increased growth rate and yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: FIT BIOTECH OYJ OLC
    Inventors: Tanel Tenson, Silja Laht, Maarja Ado-Jaan, Andres Mannik, Urve Toots, Mart Ustav
  • Publication number: 20050026137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel vectors, to DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics containing said vectors, to methods for the preparation of the vectors and DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics containing the vectors, and to therapeutic uses of said vectors. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel vectors comprising (a) an expression cassette of a gene of a nuclear-anchoring protein, which contains (i) a DNA binding domain capable of binding to a specific DNA sequence and (ii) a functional domain capable of binding to a nuclear component and (b) a multimerized DNA sequence forming a binding site for the anchoring protein, and optionally (c) one or more expression cassettes of a DNA sequence of interest. In particular the invention relates to vectors that lack a papilloma virus origin of replication. The nuclear-anchoring protein might be the E2 protein of Bovine Papilloma Virus type 1 or Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Kai Krohn, Vesna Blazevic, Marja Tahtinen, Mart Ustav, Urve Toots, Andres Mannjk, Annamari Ranki, Ene Ustav
  • Publication number: 20030129169
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel vectors, to DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics containing said vectors, to methods for the preparation of the vectors and DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics, and to therapeutic uses of said vectors. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel vectors comprising an expression cassette of a gene of a nuclear-anchoring protein, which contains a DNA binding domain capable of binding to a specific DNA sequence and a functional domain capable of binding to a nuclear component and a multimerized DNA sequence forming a binding site for the nuclear-anchoring protein, and optionally an expression cassette of a gene, genes or a DNA sequence or DNA sequences of interest. The present invention further relates to DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics containing the novel vectors, to methods for the preparation of the novel vectors and the DNA vaccines and gene therapeutics containing the novel vectors, and to the use the vectors in therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Kai Krohn, Vesna Blazevic, Marja Tahtinen, Mart Ustav, Urve Toots, Andres Mannik, Annamari Ranki, Ene Ustav