Patents Assigned to ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130053259
    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: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT, LLC.
    Inventors: David M. Urech, Leonardo Borras
  • Publication number: 20130023652
    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: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech
  • Patent number: 8349322
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech, Tea Gunde
  • Publication number: 20120288878
    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: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC
    Inventors: David Urech, Valerie Hulmann-Cottier
  • Patent number: 8293235
    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: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech
  • Patent number: 8280711
    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: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC.
    Inventors: David M. Urech, Leonardo Borras
  • Patent number: 8227199
    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: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
    Inventors: David Urech, Valerie Hulmann-Cottier
  • Publication number: 20120100153
    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: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT, LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Jose Borras, David Urech
  • Publication number: 20120064077
    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: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC.
    Inventors: Stefan Ewert, Alcide Barberis, David M. Urech, Adrian Auf Der Maur, Peter Lichtlen
  • Publication number: 20120014958
    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: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech, Tea Gunde
  • Patent number: 8067547
    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: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Ewert, Alcide Barberis, David M. Urech, Adrian Auf Der Maur, Peter Lichtlen
  • Publication number: 20110268728
    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: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech
  • Publication number: 20110200594
    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: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventor: David Urech
  • Publication number: 20110159007
    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: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, Tea Gunde, David Urech
  • Publication number: 20110152505
    Abstract: A method for decreasing the immunogenicity of antibody variable domains is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: ESBATECH AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC
    Inventors: David Urech, Tea Gunde, Leonardo Jose Borras
  • Publication number: 20110135644
    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: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC
    Inventors: Valerie Hulmann-Cottier, David Urech, Esther Furrer
  • Publication number: 20110117091
    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: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech
  • Publication number: 20110020912
    Abstract: An in vivo method for the construction of randomized gene libraries and/or domain replacement in gene libraries by homologous recombination using a Kluyveromyces lactis killer toxin, in particular the ?-subunit of the K. lactis killer toxin, as negative selection marker is described. The use of the ?-subunit of K. lactis as negative selectable marker increases the percentage of randomized clones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT, LLC
    Inventor: Claudia Schärer-Brodbeck
  • Patent number: 7833703
    Abstract: An in vivo method for the construction of randomized gene libraries and/or domain replacement in gene libraries by homologous recombination using a Kluyveromyces lactis killer toxin, in particular the (?-subunit of the K. lactis killer toxin, as negative selection marker is described. The use of the (?-subunit of K. lactis as negative selectable marker increases the percentage of randomized clones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
    Inventor: Claudia Schärer-Brodbeck