Patents by Inventor Vernon L. Alvarez

Vernon L. Alvarez 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: 20110311445
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of diagnosing and treating myeloproliferative or lymphoproliferative cell disorders, such as cancer, with chlorotoxin and/or derivatives, analogs or fragments thereof, which are effective to bind to an inhibit abnormal myeloid or lymphoid cell growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: MORPHOTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Vernon L. Alvarez, Matthew A. Gonda
  • Publication number: 20100210546
    Abstract: This invention includes compositions and methods for combination chemotherapy, particularly involving at least one chemotherapeutic agent used in combination with chlorotoxin or a derivative thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: TRANSMOLECULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Vernon L. ALVAREZ, Matthew A. GONDA, Carol A. GRIMES
  • Patent number: 7566766
    Abstract: A method of identifying a peptide which permits or facilitates the transport of an active agent through a human or animal tissue. A predetermined amount of phage from a random phage library or a preselected phage library is administered in vivo or in situ to a site in an animal, such as into the gastro-intestinal tract. At a predetermined time, the phage which is transported across a tissue barrier is harvested at a harvesting site, such as in portal or systemic blood or brain tissue, which is separated from the site of administration by the tissue barrier to select transported phage. This transported phage is amplified in a host. This cycle of events is repeated (using the transported phage produced in the most recent cycle) a predetermined number of times to obtain a selected phage library containing phage which can be transported from the site of administration to the harvesting site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: EUSA Pharma Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel J. O'Mahony, Vernon L. Alvarez, Michela Seveso
  • Publication number: 20080153746
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of diagnosing and treating myeloproliferative or lymphoproliferative cell disorders, such as cancer, with chlorotoxin and/or derivatives, analogs or fragments thereof, which are effective to bind to an inhibit abnormal myeloid or lymphoid cell growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: TRANSMOLECULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Vernon L. Alvarez, Matthew A. Gonda
  • Patent number: 7135457
    Abstract: This invention relates to proteins (e.g., peptides) that are capable of facilitating transport of an active agent through a human or animal gastro-intestinal tissue, and derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof, and nucleotide sequences coding for said proteins and derivatives. The proteins of the invention have use in facilitating transport of active agents from the lumenal side of the GIT into the systemic blood system, and/or in targeting active agents to the GIT. Thus, for example, by binding (covalently or noncovalently) a protein of the invention to an orally administered drug, the drug can be targeted to specific receptor sites or transport pathways which are known to operate in the human gastrointestinal tract, thus facilitating its absorption into the systemic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignees: Cytogen Corporation, Elan Corporation, PLC
    Inventors: Vernon L. Alvarez, Daniel J. O'Mahony, Imelda J. Lambkin, Catherine A. Patterson, Judith Singleton, Benjamin A. Belinka, Jr., John M. Carter, Gerard M. Cagney
  • Patent number: 7053177
    Abstract: This invention relates to proteins (e.g., peptides) that are capable of facilitating transport of an active agent through a human or animal gastrointestinal tissue, and derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof, and nucleotide sequences coding for said proteins and derivatives. The proteins of the invention have use in facilitating transport of active agents from the lumenal side of the GIT into the systemic blood system, and/or in targeting active agents to the GIT. Thus, for example, by binding (covalently or noncovalently) a protein of the invention to an orally administered drug, the drug can be targeted to specific receptor sites or transport pathways which are known to operate in the human gastrointestinal tract, thus facilitating its absorption into the systemic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventors: Vernon L. Alvarez, Daniel J. O'Mahony, Imelda J. Lambkin, Catherine A. Patterson, Judith Singleton, Benjamin A. Belinka, Jr., John M. Carter, Gerard M. Cagney
  • Publication number: 20040229289
    Abstract: Abtides are provided. Abtides are peptides identified by a two-step process of screening random peptide libraries. In the first step, the target ligand is an antibody or receptor (or derivative thereof). The peptides identified in the first screening step are used as target ligands in the second screening step. The peptides identified in the second screening step are abtides. Abtides possess binding specificities that are similar to the binding specificities of the antibodies or receptors that are used in the first screening step. Abtides may be used in place of antibodies in many assays or therapeutic applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventor: Vernon L. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6703362
    Abstract: This invention relates to proteins (e.g., peptides) that are capable of facilitating transport of an active agent through a human or animal gastro-intestinal tissue, and derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof, and nucleotide sequences coding for said proteins and derivatives. The proteins of the invention have use in facilitating transport of active agents from the lumenal side of the GIT into the systemic blood system, and/or in targeting active agents to the GIT. Thus, for example, by binding (covalently or noncovalently) a protein of the invention to an orally administered drug, the drug can be targeted to specific receptor sites or transport pathways which are known to operate in the human gastrointestinal tract, thus facilitating its absorption into the systemic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignees: Cytogen Corporation, Elan Corporation, PLC
    Inventors: Vernon L. Alvarez, Daniel J. O'Mahony, Imelda J. Lambkin, Catherine A. Patterson, Judith Singleton, Benjamin A. Belinka, Jr., John M. Carter, Gerard M. Cagney
  • Publication number: 20040023204
    Abstract: A method of identifying a peptide which permits or facilitates the transport of an active agent through a human or animal tissue. A predetermined amount of phage from a random phage library or a preselected phage library is administered in vivo or in situ to a site in an animal, such as into the gastro-intestinal tract. At a predetermined time, the phage which is transported across a tissue barrier is harvested at a harvesting site, such as in portal or systemic blood or brain tissue, which is separated from the site of administration by the tissue barrier to select transported phage. This transported phage is amplified in a host. This cycle of events is repeated (using the transported phage produced in the most recent cycle) a predetermined number of times to obtain a selected phage library containing phage which can be transported from the site of administration to the harvesting site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph O'Mahony, Vernon L. Alvarez, Michela Seveso
  • Patent number: 6361938
    Abstract: A method of identifying a peptide which permits or facilitates the transport of an active agent through a human or animal tissue. A predetermined amount of phage from a random phage library or a preselected phage library is administered in vivo or in situ to a site in an animal, such as into the gastro-intestinal tract. At a predetermined time, the phage which is transported across a tissue barrier is harvested at a harvesting site, such as in portal or systemic blood or brain tissue, which is separated from the site of administration by the tissue barrier to select transported phage. This transported phage is amplified in a host. This cycle of events is repeated (using the transported phage produced in the most recent cycle) a predetermined number of times to obtain a selected phage library containing phage which can be transported from the site of administration to the harvesting site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Elan Corporation, plc
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph O'Mahony, Vernon L. Alvarez, Michela Seveso
  • Patent number: 6015561
    Abstract: Abtides are provided. Abtides are peptides identified by a two-step process of screening random peptide libraries. In the first step, the target ligand is an antibody or receptor (or derivative thereof). The peptides identified in the first screening step are used as target ligands in the second screening step. The peptides identified in the second screening step are abtides. Abtides possess binding specificities that are similar to the binding specificities of the antibodies or receptors that are used in the first screening step. Abtides may be used in place of antibodies in many assays or therapeutic applications.Abtides binding to polymorphic epithelial mucin (PEM) are provided.Also provided are methods of obtaining abtides as well as diagnostic and therapeutic compounds containing abtides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventor: Vernon L. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 5885577
    Abstract: Abtides are provided. Abtides are peptides identified by a two-step process of screening random peptide libraries. In the first step, the target ligand is an antibody or receptor (or derivative thereof). The peptides identified in the first screening step are used as target ligands in the second screening step. The peptides identified in the second screening step are abtides. Abtides possess binding specificities that are similar to the binding specificities of the antibodies or receptors that are used in the first screening step. Abtides may be used in place of antibodies in many assays or therapeutic applications.Abtides binding to polymorphic epithelial mucin (PEM) are provided.Also provided are methods of obtaining abtides as well as diagnostic and therapeutic compounds containing abtides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventor: Vernon L. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 5609847
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating a patient in need thereof, including a need for diagnosis or treatment, comprising the administration of a metal complex of a polypeptide construct. The construct comprises a compound of the formula (I): ##STR1## in which, "B" is a hydrocarbon backbone,"P" is a polypeptide capable of targeting particular-cells, tissues or organs of the body,"A" may be the group --NR'--NR"-- or the group --NR'--NR"--L-- in which L may be an aliphatic or aromatic linker group,R, R', and R" may be the same or different and may be hydrogen or an aliphatic group,m is an integer .gtoreq.2, provided that the groups R, R', R", L and "P" of a given chain may be the same or different from the groups R, R', R", L and "P" of another chain,n is an integer .gtoreq.0;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The constructs of the present invention are capable of binding a variety of metallic species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Belinka, Jr., Daniel J. Coughlin, Vernon L. Alvarez, Richard Wood
  • Patent number: 5593656
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation and use of novel open-chain or cyclic polypeptide constructs in which two or more polypeptide chains, in an open-chain construct, or one or more chains, in a cyclic construct, are chemically derivatized such that the resulting construct exhibits both metal-binding capability and tissue-, organ- or cell-targeting selectivity. In particular, the polypeptide constructs of the present invention comprise compounds of the formula (I): ##STR1## in which, "B" is a hydrocarbon backbone, "P" is a polypeptide capable of targeting particular cells, tissues or organs of the body, "A" may be the group --NR'--NR"-- or the group --NR'--NR"--L-- in which L may be an aliphatic or aromatic linker group, R, R', and R" may be the same or different and may be hydrogen or an aliphatic group, m is an integer.gtoreq.2, provided that the groups R, R', R", L and "P" of a given chain may be the same or different from the groups R, R', R", L and "P" of another chain, n is an integer.gtoreq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Belinka, Jr., Daniel J. Coughlin, Vernon L. Alvarez, Richard Wood
  • Patent number: 5578288
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation and use of novel open-chain or cyclic polypeptide constructs in which two or more polypeptide chains, in an open-chain construct, or one or more chains, in a cyclic construct, are chemically derivatized such that the resulting construct exhibits both metal-binding capability and tissue-, organ- or cell-targeting selectivity. In particular, the polypeptide constructs of the present invention comprise compounds of the formula (I): ##STR1## in which, "B" is a hydrocarbon backbone, "P" is a polypeptide capable of targeting particular cells, tissues or organs of the body, "A" may be the group --NR'--NR"-- or the group --NR'-- NR"--L-- in which L may be an aliphatic or aromatic linker group, R, R', and R" may be the same or different and may be hydrogen or an aliphatic group, m is an integer.gtoreq.2, provided that the groups R, R', R", L and "P" of a given chain may be the same or different from the groups R, R', R", L and "P" of another chain, n is an integer.gtoreq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Belinka, Jr., Daniel J. Coughlin, Vernon L. Alvarez, Richard Wood
  • Patent number: 5449761
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation and use of novel open-chain or cyclic polypeptide constructs in which two or more polypeptide chains, in an open-chain construct, or one or more chains, in a cyclic construct, are chemically derivatized such that the resulting construct exhibits both metal-binding capability and tissue-, organ- or cell-targeting selectivity. In particular, the polypeptide constructs of the present invention comprise compounds of the formula (I): ##STR1## in which, "B" is a hydrocarbon backbone, "P" is a polypeptide capable of targeting particular cells, tissues or organs of the body, "A" may be the group --NR'--NR"-- or the group --NR'--NR"--L-- in which L may be an aliphatic or aromatic linker group, R, R' and R" may be the same or different and may be hydrogen or an aliphatic group, m is an integer .gtoreq.2, provided that the groups R, R', R', L and "P" of a given chain may be the same or different from the groups R, R', R", L and "P" of another chain, n is an integer .gtoreq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Belinka, Jr., Daniel J. Coughlin, Vernon L. Alvarez, Richard Wood
  • Patent number: 5196510
    Abstract: A system or method for identifying and/or designing novel peptides and polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence which mimics the molecular recognition site of either (a) a macromolecule such as an immunoglobulin, an enzyme, a receptor protein, a lectin or other binding protein or (b) a small molecule or a small region of a large molecule which functions as a ligand and is recognized and binds specifically to a macromolecule is disclosed. Novel peptides and polypeptides as well as conjugates of the peptides and polypeptides are also disclosed. Applications for use of the peptides, polypeptides and conjugates in a wide range of fields such as biomedicine; biological control and pest regulation; agriculture; cosmetics; environmental control and waste management; chemistry; catalysis; nutrition and food industries; military uses; climate control, etc. are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Rodwell, Thomas J. McKearn, Vernon L. Alvarez, Robert D. Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 5156840
    Abstract: The invention relates to amine-containing porphyrin derivatives. Theporphyrins can be used as photosensitizers which are useful as therapeutic agents. Also described are methods for preparing conjugates in which a porphyrin derivative is covalently attached to an antibody or antibody fragment. In vivo therapeutic methods utilizing the conjugates are also desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventors: John W. F. Goers, Hurley D. King, Chyi Lee, Daniel J. Coughlin, Vernon L. Alvarez, John D. Rodwell, Thomas J. McKearn
  • Patent number: 4966999
    Abstract: Radiohalogenated compounds which are useful as intermediates for preparing radiohalogenated antibody conjugates in which the radiohalogenated compound is site specifically attached to an oxidized carbohydrate moiety of an antibody or antibody fragment are disclosed. Methods for making the compounds and the antibody conjugates as well as methods of use of the same are also disclosed In particular, phenolic hydrazide and phenolic amine compounds are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Coughlin, Benjamin A. Belinka, Vernon L. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 4937183
    Abstract: A novel method for preparing soluble antibody fragment compositions having superior characteristics for targeted delivery when administered in vivo are disclosed. The antibody fragment compositions are characterized by substantially the same immunospecificity as the unconjugated antibody and aqueous solubility such that they are suitable for in vivo administration. Therapeutic and diagnostic methods utilizing the antibody fragment compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Cytogen Corporation
    Inventors: Michiel E. Ultee, Vernon L. Alvarez