Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Carol L. Francis
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Patent number: 6686190Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of viral vaccines in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain interferon induced antiviral activities, in particular, cellular levels of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dependent kinase (PKR) and 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase). In cell cultures deficient for PKR or 2-5A synthetase, viral yield is enhanced by several orders of magnitude over cell cultures with normal levels of these proteins making these cell cultures useful for the production of viral vaccines.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2000Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Allan S. Lau
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Patent number: 6677138Abstract: The present invention features a method of producing a multimeric protein from a hybrid cell formed from the fusion of two or more cells, each of which cell is engineered to express one component of the multimeric protein, as well as a method for screening for successful fusion of the cells to produce a desired hybrid cell. The methods of the invention are widely applicable to the production of proteins having two or more components.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignees: Abgenix, Inc., Japan Tobacco Inc.Inventors: Nobuaki Hori, Claude Geoffrey Davis, Krisztina M. Zsebo, Aya Jakobovits
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Patent number: 6673591Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of viral vaccines in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain interferon induced antiviral activities, in particular, cellular levels of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dependent kinase (PKR) and 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase). In cell cultures deficient for PKR or 2-5A synthetase, viral yield is enhanced by several orders of magnitude over cell cultures with normal levels of these proteins making these cell cultures useful for the production of viral vaccines.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2000Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Allan S. Lau
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Patent number: 6667152Abstract: Method for screening for an antiviral agent, by determining whether a potential agent interacts with a virus or cellular component which allows or prevents preferential translation of a virus RNA compared to a host RNA under virus infection conditions; and determining whether any interaction of the agent with the component reduces the level of translation of an RNA of the virus.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Vincent J. Miles, Michael B. Mathews, Michael G. Katze, Julia C. Watson, Gary Witherell
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Patent number: 6653285Abstract: The present invention provides peptides with a specific affinity for glycosaminoglycan molecules. These peptides may have any number of functions, including but not limited to use as inhibitors of glycosaminoglycan-mediated processes, enhancers of glycosaminoglycan-mediated processes, and as molecular probes to identify the presence of a specific glycosaminoglycan. Peptides of the invention may be directed against any glycosaminoglycan, including hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate A, chondroitin sulfate C, dermatan sulfate, heparin, keratan sulfate, keratosulfate, chitin, chitosan 1, and chitosan 2. These isolated peptides may have therapeutic uses in the treatment or prevention of diseases involving infection, inflammatory diseases, cancer, infections, etc. The peptides may also have other biological functions such as contraception.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2000Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: The University of Texas SystemInventors: Akira Takashima, Mark E. Mummert, Mansour Mohamadzadeh
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Patent number: 6652136Abstract: A flow-through microcentrifuge comprising a container in which a sample is placed, and a power source capable of rotating the container around an axis. High speed rotation causes the components of the sample to separate according to their respective densities. Pressurized gas, a flowing liquid, electromagnetism, or an engine can power rotation of the container. Due to the small size of the flow-through microcentrifuge, speeds can reach up to 600,000 rpm, with a corresponding increase in centrifugal acceleration up to 1,500,000 g. In addition to separation, the flow-through microcentrifuge can resuspend pelleted material in a liquid by rotating in one direction and then in the opposite direction, repeatedly. The flow-through microcentrifuge is also able to mix two or more reagents using this method. The flow-through microcentrifuge is modular in nature, meaning two or more can be placed together in any configuration and run by the same power source.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventor: Andrea Marziali
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Patent number: 6652864Abstract: A compound for delivering a non-cytotoxic therapeutic moiety into nerve cells, the compound having the general formula: B—L—TM where: B is a binding agent capable of selectively binding to a nerve cell surface receptor and mediating absorption of the compound by the nerve cell; TM is a therapeutic moiety which has a non-cytotoxic therapeutic effect when absorbed by a nerve cell; and L is a linker coupling B to TM.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1998Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Asilomar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Webb, Constance A. McKee
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Patent number: 6638912Abstract: Compositions suitable for pharmaceutical administration are provided in which one compound is a small peptide mimic of TGF-&bgr;. More preferably, pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are formulated as combinations of two components, wherein one component includes a peptide mimic for TGF-&bgr; and the other component is structurally or biologically analogous to a small region of collagen and mimics the conformation recognized by collagen binding species. A particularly preferred combination is A-N-V-A-E-N-A (SEQ ID NO:1) and G-T-P-G-P-Q-G-I-A-G-Q-R-G-V-V (SEQ ID NO:17).Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Rajendra S. Bhatnagar, Jing Jing Qian, Craig Gough
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Patent number: 6638263Abstract: The present invention features methods and devices for modulating the rate of delivery of a drug formulation from a drug delivery device by diverting drug away from a drug delivery pathway. In one embodiment, a flow regulator is positioned relative to a drug delivery pathway of a drug delivery system so that adjustment of the flow regulator can provide for diversion of drug away from the drug delivery pathway. Diverted drug can be either delivered into the systemic circulation of the subject, or can be captured in a waste reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1999Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Durect CorporationInventors: Felix Theeuwes, James E. Brown
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Patent number: 6613751Abstract: The invention provides a method for ameliorating gastrointestinal inflammation, particularly chronic gastrointestinal inflammation such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in a subject. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering an immunomodulatory nucleic acid to a subject suffering from or susceptible to gastrointestinal inflammation.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical CenterInventors: Eyal Raz, Daniel Rachmilewitz
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Patent number: 6610661Abstract: Immunostimulatory polynucleotide-immunomodulatory molecule conjugate compositions are disclosed. These compositions include a polynucleotide that is linked to an immunomodulatory molecule, which molecule comprises an antigen and may further comprise immunomodulators such as cytokines and adjuvants. The polynucleotide portion of the conjugate includes at least one immunostimulatory oligonucleotide nucleotide sequence (ISS). Methods of modulating an immune response upon administration of the polynucleotide-immunomodulatory conjugate preparation to a vertebrate host are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2000Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Dennis A. Carson, Eyal Raz, Mark Roman
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Patent number: 6602680Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for the production of GABAergic cells, particularly GABAergic neurons. Production of GABAergic cells is accomplished by increasing activity of a Dlx gene (e.g., DLX1, DLX2, or DLX5) in an immature neuronal cell. The increase in Dlx activity causes differentiation of the immature neuronal cell into a neuronal cell exhibiting the GABAergic phenotype. The invention also encompasses use of GABAergic cells produced by the method of the invention in, for example, identification of agents that affect GABAergic cell activity and survival, and in replacement therapy.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: John L. Rubenstein, Marina Mione, Stewart Anderson, Thorsten Stuehmer, Kyuson Yun
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Patent number: 6593456Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of regulating TNF receptor releasing enzyme (TRRE) activity. Composition altering TRRE activity, including a family of proteins and the genes encoding these proteins having TRRE activity, are provided. These proteins, RNA products, or DNA sequences can be administered to individuals suffering from a disease characterized by abnormal TRRE activity. In the case of diseases associated with elevated levels of TNF, such as rheumatoid arthritis, an inhibitor of TRRE is administered to the disease site to decrease the local levels of TNF. Methods of isolating other compositons which increase or decrease TRRE activity are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1998Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Tetsuya Gatanaga, Gale A. Granger
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Patent number: 6573062Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of regulating TNF activity indirectly by regulating the activity or concentration of TNF receptor releasing enzyme (TRRE). Preferably, the TRRE activity is regulated local to the site of the condition to be treated. In the case of diseases associated with elevated levels of TNF, such as rheumatoid arthritis, TRRE is administered to the site of inflammation in an amount sufficient to decrease the local levels of TNF. In the case of diseases, such as cancer, that benefit from increased levels of TNF, the level of TRRE is decreased at the disease site.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Tetsuya Gatanaga, Gale A. Granger
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Patent number: 6570040Abstract: The present invention features a chemoselective ligation reaction that can be carried out under physiological conditions. In general, the invention involves condensation of a specifically engineered phosphine, which can provide for formation of an amide bond between the two reactive partners resulting in a final product comprising a phosphine moiety, or which can be engineered to comprise a cleavable linker so that a substituent of the phosphine is transferred to the azide, releasing an oxidized phosphine byproduct and producing a native amide bond in the final product. The selectivity of the reaction and its compatibility with aqueous environments provides for its application in vivo (e.g., on the cell surface or intracellularly) and in vitro (e.g., synthesis of peptides and other polymers, production of modified (e.g., labeled) amino acids).Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Eliana Saxon, Carolyn Bertozzi
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Patent number: 6569664Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of regulating TNF activity indirectly by regulating the activity or concentration of TNF receptor releasing enzyme (TRRE). Preferably, the TRRE activity is regulated local to the site of the condition to be treated. In the case of diseases associated with elevated levels of TNF, such as rheumatoid arthritis, TRRE is administered to the site of inflammation in an amount sufficient to decrease the local levels of TNF. In the case of diseases, such as cancer, that benefit from increased levels of TNF, the level of TRRE is decreased at the disease site.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1997Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Tetsuya Gatanaga, Gale A. Granger
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Patent number: 6566063Abstract: The invention features methods for detection of metastatic and potentially metastatic cancerous cells by detection of expression of a gland-specific Ets transcription factor (GSEF) sequence, which encodes an Ets-domain containing protein. The invention also features methods and compositions for modulation of the polypeptide and/or gene activity for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, such as inhibition of progression of a cell to a metastatic cancerous cell.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Chiron CorporationInventors: Joerg Kaufmann, Hong Xin, Greg Harrowe
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Patent number: 6566076Abstract: The invention features a monoclonal antibodies specific for human type I alveolar cells or for human type II alveolar cells. The invention also features methods of detecting lung injury in a subject using these monoclonal antibodies.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Leland G. Dobbs, Robert Gonzalez
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Patent number: 6566342Abstract: Secretory gland cells, particularly pancreatic and salivary gland cells, are genetically altered to operatively incorporate a gene which expresses a protein which has a desired therapeutic effect on a mammalian subject. The expressed protein is secreted directly into the gastrointestinal tract and/or blood stream to obtain therapeutic blood levels of the protein thereby treating the patient in need of the protein. The transformed secretory gland cells provide long term therapeutic cures for diseases associated with a deficiency in a particular protein or which are amenable to treatment by overexpression of a protein.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Michael German, Ira D. Goldfine, Stephen S. Rothman
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Patent number: 6552006Abstract: The present invention features methods for treatment or prevention of infection by intracellular pathogens (e.g., Mycobacterium species) by administration of an immunomodulatory nucleic acid molecule. In one embodiment, immunomodulatory nucleic acid molecule are administered in combination with another anti-pathogenic agent to provide a synergistic anti-pathogenic effect.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, The United States of America as represented by the Department of Veteran AffairsInventors: Eyal Raz, Richard Kornbluth, Antonio Catanzaro, Tomoko Hayashi, Dennis Carson