Patents Assigned to ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
  • Patent number: 10221237
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of using sequence based analysis and rational strategies to improve the solubility of immunobinders, and in particular of single chain antibodies (scFvs). The invention provides methods of engineering immunobinders, and in particular scFvs, by performing one or more substitutions with hydrophilic residues identified by analysis of a database of selected, stable scFv sequences. The invention also provides immunobinders with optimized solubility prepared according to the engineering methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech
  • Patent number: 10125186
    Abstract: Compositions are provided, which can be used as frameworks for the creation of very stable and soluble single-chain Fv antibody fragments. These frameworks have been selected for intracellular performance and are thus ideally suited for the creation of scFv antibody fragments or scFv antibody libraries for applications where stability and solubility are limiting factors for the performance of antibody fragments, such as in the reducing environment of a cell. Such frameworks can also be used to identify highly conserved residues and consensus sequences which demonstrate enhanced solubility and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Kathrin Tissot, Stefan Ewert, Adrian Auf Der Maur, Alcide Barberis, Dominik Escher
  • Patent number: 10100111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to particularly stable and soluble scFv antibodies and Fab fragments specific for TNF, which comprise specific light chain and heavy chain sequences that are optimized for stability, solubility, in vitro and in vivo binding of TNF, and low immunogenicity. Said antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of TNF-mediated disorders. The nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of said antibodies in medicine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, Tea Gunde, David Urech
  • Patent number: 10093726
    Abstract: The present invention provides sustained-release pharmaceutical formulations for administering proteins to the eye. In particular, the invention provides formulations comprising single chain antibodies and hydrophobic polyester hexylsubstituted poly(lactic acid) (hexPLA). The invention further provides processes for the production of sustained-release pharmaceutical formulations and medical uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Lutz Asmus, Michael Möller, Robert Gurny, John P. A. Grimshaw
  • Patent number: 10087244
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an universal antibody acceptor framework and to methods for grafting non-human antibodies, e.g., rabbit antibodies, using a universal antibody acceptor framework. Antibodies generated by the methods of the invention are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Jose Borras, David Urech
  • Publication number: 20180127493
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an universal antibody acceptor framework and to methods for grafting non-human antibodies, e.g., rabbit antibodies, using a universal antibody acceptor framework. Antibodies generated by the methods of the invention are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech
  • Patent number: 9938336
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of using sequence based analysis and rational strategies to modify and improve the structural and biophysical properties of single chain antibodies (scFvs), including stability, solubility, and antigen binding affinity. These methods and strategies can be used individually or in combination. The methods of the present invention also include the use of a database comprising scFv sequences from an experimentally screened scFv library of antibodies that have been selected to have superior solubility and stability. The invention also provides methods of using the properties found for these selected antibodies in a general approach for reshaping scFv antibodies to improve stability and solubility properties of a single chain antibody fragment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Esbatech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: David M. Urech, Leonardo Borras
  • Patent number: 9908940
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying immunobinders, such as scFv antibodies, capable of specifically binding to cell surface antigens, and compositions identified according to said methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Esbatech, An Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: David Urech, Valerie Hulmann-Cottier
  • Patent number: 9908945
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of using sequence based analysis and rational strategies to modify and improve the structural and biophysical properties of single chain antibodies (scFvs), including stability, solubility, and antigen binding affinity. These methods and strategies can be used individually or in combination. The methods of the present invention also include the use of a database comprising scFv sequences from an experimentally screened scFv library of antibodies that have been selected to have superior solubility and stability. The invention also provides methods of using the properties found for these selected antibodies in a general approach for reshaping scFv antibodies to improve stability and solubility properties of a single chain antibody fragment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Esbatech, An Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: David Urech, Leonardo Borras
  • Patent number: 9873736
    Abstract: The present invention provides sustained-release pharmaceutical formulations for administering proteins to the eye. In particular, the invention provides formulations comprising single chain antibodies and hydrophobic polyester hexylsubstituted poly(lactic acid) (hexPLA). The invention further provides processes for the production of sustained-release pharmaceutical formulations and medical uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Lutz Asmus, Michael Möller, Robert Gurny, John P. A. Grimshaw
  • Patent number: 9873737
    Abstract: The present invention relates to soluble and stable anti-VEGF imunobinders comprising CDRs from rabbit monoclonal antibodies. Said antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of VEGF-mediated disorders. The hybridomas, nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of said antibodies in medicine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech, Tea Gunde
  • Patent number: 9803027
    Abstract: A method for decreasing the immunogenicity of antibody variable domains is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: David Urech, Leonardo Jose Borras
  • Patent number: 9683034
    Abstract: The present invention relates to particularly stable and soluble scFv antibodies and Fab fragments specific for TNF?, which comprise specific light chain and heavy chain sequences that are optimized for stability, solubility, in vitro and in vivo binding of TNF?, and low immunogenicity. Said antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of TNF?-related disorders. The nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of said antibodies in medicine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Ewert, David Urech, Adrian Auf Der Maur, Alcide Barberis, Peter Lichtlen
  • Publication number: 20170096482
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of using sequence based analysis and rational strategies to improve the solubility of immunobinders, and in particular of single chain antibodies (scFvs). The invention provides methods of engineering immunobinders, and in particular scFvs, by performing one or more substitutions with hydrophilic residues identified by analysis of a database of selected, stable scFv sequences. The invention also provides immunobinders with optimized solubility prepared according to the engineering methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech
  • Patent number: 9593161
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an universal antibody acceptor framework and to methods for grafting non-human antibodies, e.g., rabbit antibodies, using a universal antibody acceptor framework. Antibodies generated by the methods of the invention are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Jose Borras, David Urech
  • Patent number: 9556265
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of using sequence based analysis and rational strategies to improve the solubility of immunobinders, and in particular of single chain antibodies (scFvs). The invention provides methods of engineering immunobinders, and in particular scFvs, by performing one or more substitutions with hydrophilic residues identified by analysis of a database of selected, stable scFv sequences. The invention also provides immunobinders with optimized solubility prepared according to the engineering methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech
  • Patent number: 9518108
    Abstract: Compositions are provided, which can be used as frameworks for the creation of very stable and soluble single-chain Fv antibody fragments. These frameworks have been selected for intracellular performance and are thus ideally suited for the creation of scFv antibody fragments or scFv antibody libraries for applications where stability and solubility are limiting factors for the performance of antibody fragments, such as in the reducing environment of a cell. Such frameworks can also be used to identify highly conserved residues and consensus sequences which demonstrate enhanced solubility and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Kathrin Tissot, Stefan Ewert, Adrian Auf Der Maur, Alcide Barberis, Dominik Escher
  • Patent number: 9422366
    Abstract: The present invention relates to particularly stable and soluble scFv antibodies and Fab fragments specific for TNF, which comprise specific light chain and heavy chain sequences that are optimized for stability, solubility, in vitro and in vivo binding of TNF, and low immunogenicity. Said antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of TNF-mediated disorders. The nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of said antibodies in medicine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Esbatech, An Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, Tea Gunde, David Urech
  • Patent number: 9403903
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody acceptor framework and to methods for grafting non-human antibodies, e.g., rabbit antibodies, using a particularly well suited antibody acceptor framework. Antibodies generated by the methods of the invention are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC
    Inventor: Dominik Escher
  • Patent number: 9315572
    Abstract: The present invention relates to particularly stable and soluble scFv antibodies and Fab fragments specific for TNF?, which comprise specific light chain and heavy chain sequences that are optimized for stability, solubility, in vitro and in vivo binding of TNF?, and low immunogenicity. Said antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of TNF?-related disorders. The nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of said antibodies in medicine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research, Unit LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Ewert, Alcide Barberis, David M. Urech, Adrian Auf Der Maur, Peter Lichtlen