Patents Assigned to Ecogen Inc.
  • Patent number: 5843744
    Abstract: A transposable element, or transposon, isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) and designated as transposon Tn5401. The invention also includes a method of using this transposon in a site-specific recombination system for construction of recombinant B.t. strains that contain insecticidal B.t. toxin protein genes and that are free of DNA not native to B.t.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Baum
  • Patent number: 5776449
    Abstract: A transposable element, or transposon, isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) and designated as transposon Tn5401. The invention also includes a method of using this transposon in a site-specific recombination system for construction of recombinant B.t. strains that contain insecticidal B.t. toxin protein genes and that are free of DNA not native to B.t., insecticidal compositions containing recombinant B.t. strains and their use in insect control methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Baum
  • Patent number: 5464618
    Abstract: A gustatory stimulant composition for beetles of the sub-family Galerucinae comprising a dried and powdered Cucurbitaceae plant material, a lubricant, and an adherent, and a method of making the composition are disclosed. Methods for enhancing the effectiveness of an adulticide used against galerucinid beetles, for controlling a beetle population, and for stimulating the feeding of a beetle population with the composition of this invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Doane, Jack W. Jenkins, Dirk A. Ave
  • Patent number: 5441884
    Abstract: A transposable element, or transposon, isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) and designated as transposon Tn5401. The invention also includes a method of using this transposon in a site-specific recombination system for construction of recombinant B.t. strains that contain insecticidal B.t. toxin protein genes and that are free of DNA not native to B.t.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Baum
  • Patent number: 5382429
    Abstract: A purified and isolated cryIII-type gene was obtained from a novel B.t. strain. The gene has a nucleotide base sequence coding for the amino acid sequence illustrated in FIG. 1 . The 74.4 kDa protein produced by this gene is an irregularly shaped crystal that is toxic to coleopteran insects, including Colorado potato beetle and insects of the genus Diabrotica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Donovan, Mark J. Rupar, Annette C. Slaney, Timothy B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5356623
    Abstract: A Bacillus thuringiensis strain isolate, designated EG5092, exhibits insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. A purified and isolated novel cryET1 toxin gene product from B.t. strain EG5092 exhibits specific insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella (Diamondback moth). The cryET1 gene (SEQ ID NO:1) has a nucleotide base sequence illustrated in FIG. 1 and produces a CryET1 gene product (SEQ ID NO:2) having a deduced amino acid sequence illustrated in FIG. 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. von Tersch, Jose M. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 5338544
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a CryIIB protein which is insecticidal against lepidopteran insects, insecticidal compositions comprising the CryIIB protein and methods for use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Donovan
  • Patent number: 5322687
    Abstract: A Bacillus thuringiensis strain isolate, designated B.t. strain EG5847, exhibits insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Two novel toxin genes from B.t. strain EG5847 designated cryET4 and cryET5 produce insecticidal proteins with activity against a broad spectrum of insects of the order Lepidoptera. The cryET4 gene has a nucleotide base sequence shown in FIG. 1 and listed in SEQ ID NO:1 and produces a CryET4 gene product having the deduced amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 and listed in SEQ ID NO:2. The cryET5 gene has a nucleotide base sequence shown in FIG. 2 and listed in SEQ ID NO:3 and produces a CryET5 gene product having the deduced amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2 and listed in SEQ ID NO:4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Donovan, Yuping Tan, Christine S. Jany, Jose M. Gonzalez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5264364
    Abstract: A Bacillus thuringiensis strain isolate, designated EG5144, exhibits insecticidal activity against coleopteran insects, including Colorado potato beetle and insects of the genus Diabrotica. A novel toxin gene in B.t. strain EG5144 produces an irregularly shaped insecticidal crystal protein of approximately 70 kDa that is toxic to coleopteran insects. The cryIII-type gene (SEQ ID NO:1), designated as the cryIIIC(b) gene, has a nucleotide base sequence illustrated in FIG. 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: Willam P. Donovan, Mark J. Rupar, Annette C. Slaney
  • Patent number: 5187091
    Abstract: A purified and isolated cryIII-type gene was obtained from a novel B.t. strain. The gene has a nucleotide base sequence coding for the amino acid sequence illustrated in FIG. 1. The 74.4 kDa protein produced by this gene is an irregularly shaped crystal that is toxic to coleopteran insects, including Colorado potato beetle and insects of the genus Diabrotica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Donovan, Mark J. Rupar, Annette C. Slaney, Timothy B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5173409
    Abstract: Purified endotoxin protein is recovered from aqueous suspensions containing lysed cells and Bacillus thuringiensis crystalline endotoxin protein in a multistep process.The aqueous suspension, e.g., a concentrated fermentation culture, is first treated under strongly basic or acidic conditions to solubilize the crystal protein and the solution is then separated from residual solids. Endotoxin protein is precipitated from the separated aqueous solution, by adjusting its pH to the isoelectric point of the protein, and recovered by centrifugation or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventor: Leigh H. English
  • Patent number: 5147640
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel strains of Bacillus thuringiensis containing genes that code for P1 endotoxin proteins. The invention also provides methods and compositions for controlling insects or protecting plants from insect attack with a novel strain of Bacillus thuringiensis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan E. Gard, Jr., Jose M. Gonzalez, Jr., Dennis R. Ciarlante
  • Patent number: 5080897
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel Bacillus thuringiensis transconjugant strains having improved insecticidal activity. The novel strains are produced by a combination of plasmid curing and conjugation of active strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventors: Jose M. Gonzalez, Jr., Anthony Macaluso
  • Patent number: 5073632
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified and isolated gene having a nucleotide sequence coding for the amino acid sequence for the CryIIB protein (the nucleotide coding sequence being illustrated in FIG. 6 extending from nucleotides 874 through 2775).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Donovan
  • Patent number: 5071654
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for measuring the toxicity of a delta-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis by evaluating the ability of said endotoxin to form an ion channel in a phospholipid vesicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Ecogen Inc.
    Inventor: Leigh H. English