Patents Assigned to ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
  • Patent number: 9221905
    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: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: David Urech, Valerie Hulmann-Cottier
  • Publication number: 20150024432
    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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: David Urech, Valerie Hulmann-Cottier
  • Patent number: 8937162
    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: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Esbatech, An Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech
  • Patent number: 8936785
    Abstract: scFv antibodies which specifically bind selected antigens and are obtainable by a method comprising (i) selecting from a pool of soluble and stable antibody frameworks a soluble and stable framework matching best the framework of a non-human antibody against the antigen with a certain binding specificity, (ii) either providing said soluble and stable framework with CDRs that bind specifically to said antigen, or mutating the framework of said non-human antibody towards the sequence of said soluble and stable framework, to generate scFv antibodies, (iii) testing the generated antibody for solubility and stability, and testing the generated antibody for antigen binding, and (iv) selecting an scFV that is soluble, stable and binds to the antigen specifically. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said scFv antibody, methods of treatment and diagnosis for diseases related to over expression of antigens that are specifically bound by said antibody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Esbatech, An Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Auf Der Maur, Alcide Barberis, David M. Urech, Peter Lichtlen
  • Patent number: 8853362
    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: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Kathrin Tissot, Stefan Ewert, Adrian Auf Der Maur, Alcide Barberis, Dominik Escher
  • Publication number: 20140234315
    Abstract: scFv antibodies which specifically bind selected antigens and are obtainable by a method comprising (i) selecting from a pool of soluble and stable antibody frameworks a soluble and stable framework matching best the framework of a non-human antibody against the antigen with a certain binding specificity, (ii) either providing said soluble and stable framework with CDRs that bind specifically to said antigen, or mutating the framework of said non-human antibody towards the sequence of said soluble and stable framework, to generate scFv antibodies, (iii) testing the generated antibody for solubility and stability, and testing the generated antibody for antigen binding, and (iv) selecting an scFV that is soluble, stable and binds to the antigen specifically. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said scFv antibody, methods of treatment and diagnosis for diseases related to over expression of antigens that are specifically bound by said antibody.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: ESBATECH, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Auf Der Maur, Alcide Barberis, David M. Urech, Peter Lichtlen
  • Patent number: 8796425
    Abstract: A method for decreasing the immunogenicity of antibody variable domains is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: David Urech, Leonardo Jose Borras
  • Publication number: 20140212421
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods that enhance the delivery of large macromolecules (i.e., greater than 10 kDa), such as antigen-binding polypeptides, across tight junctions. Such methods and compositions are particularly useful for delivering therapeutic antigen-binding polypeptides to the CNS, via intranasal administration, for the treatment of neurological disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Valerie Hulmann-Cottier, David Urech, Esther Furrer
  • Publication number: 20140178386
    Abstract: The invention provides functionalized polypeptides, especially therapeutic polypeptides (e.g., scFv), comprising a linker sequence that can be rapidly and specifically functionalized by the addition of one or functional moieties (e.g., PEG) or binding specificities (e.g., an amino acid sequence with a particular binding specificity). Such functionalized polypeptides are advantageous in that they have improved pharmacokinetic properties (e.g., improved in vivo half-life, tissue penetration and tissue residency time) over non-functionalized polypeptides. Methods for the rapid and reproducible generation of functionalized polypeptides are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AND ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC
    Inventor: David Urech
  • Publication number: 20140171634
    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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Ewert, Alcide Barberis, David M. Urech, Adrian Auf Der Maur, Peter Lichtlen
  • Patent number: 8697074
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods that enhance the delivery of large macromolecules (i.e., greater than 10 kDa), such as antigen-binding polypeptides, across tight junctions. Such methods and compositions are particularly useful for delivering therapeutic antigen-binding polypeptides to the CNS, via intranasal administration, for the treatment of neurological disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Valerie Hulmann-Cottier, David Urech, Esther Furrer
  • Patent number: 8691228
    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: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Ewert, Alcide Barberis, David Urech, Adrian Auf Der Maur, Peter Lichtlen
  • Patent number: 8637022
    Abstract: The invention provides functionalized polypeptides, especially therapeutic polypeptides (e.g., scFv), comprising a linker sequence that can be rapidly and specifically functionalized by the addition of one or functional moieties (e.g., PEG) or binding specificities (e.g., an amino acid sequence with a particular binding specificity). Such functionalized polypeptides are advantageous in that they have improved pharmacokinetic properties (e.g., improved in vivo half-life, tissue penetration and tissue residency time) over non-functionalized polypeptides. Methods for the rapid and reproducible generation of functionalized polypeptides are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventor: David Urech
  • Publication number: 20140004114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to soluble and stable anti-VEGF immunobinders 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC
    Inventor: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit L
  • Publication number: 20130344086
    Abstract: The invention provides antibodies that are modified to reduce aggregration propensity, and methods of producing such antibodies. The present invention also provides 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. 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: ESBATech, An Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Jose Borras, David Urech
  • Publication number: 20130171143
    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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC.
    Inventor: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEAR
  • Patent number: 8465937
    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: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
    Inventors: David Urech, Valerie Hulmann-Cottier
  • Publication number: 20130090456
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC
    Inventors: David Urech, Valerie Hulmann-Cottier
  • Patent number: 8399625
    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: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
    Inventor: Dominik Escher
  • Patent number: 8399624
    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: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventor: Dominik Escher