Patents Assigned to Harbor Branch Oceanographic
  • Patent number: 6218419
    Abstract: The subject application concerns novel compounds with useful biological properties. For example, these compounds can be used as antinflammatory, anti-proliferative, immunomodulatory, and/or neuroprotective agents. Specific examples of the compounds of the subject invention include Secobatzelline A and Secobatzelline B, which can be isolated from marine sponges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarath P. Gunasekera, Peter J. McCarthy, Ross E. Longley, Shirley A. Pomponi, Amy E. Wright
  • Patent number: 6127406
    Abstract: Novel analogs of compounds from the marine sponge Discodermia dissoluta have been prepared. These compounds have been shown to have activity against mammalian cancer cells, and can be used in treating human patients which host cancer cells, including leukemia, melanoma, breast, colon, CNS, renal, ovarian, prostate, and lung tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarath P. Gunasekera, Ross E. Longley
  • Patent number: 6090811
    Abstract: A novel use for the class of biologically active bis-heterocyclic, e.g., bis-indole alkaloid compounds, which have been named topsentins, bromotopsentins, homocarbonyltopsentins, nortopsentins, hamacanthins, bis-indole ethylamines, or dragmacidins, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, methods of producing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds are disclosed. Specifically, the novel utility pertains to the anti-neurogenic inflammatory properties exhibited by the bis-indole compounds and their analogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignees: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc., Regents of the Univ. of California
    Inventors: Robert S. Jacobs, Shirley A. Pomponi, Sarath P. Gunasekera, Amy E. Wright
  • Patent number: 6087363
    Abstract: Imidazole and indole compounds were found to inhibit neural nitric oxide synthase (bNOS) activity. Nortopsentin-C inhibited bNOS as well as calcineurin activities suggesting that its actions are directed against calmodulin, a co-factor common to these two enzymes. Two indole compounds, as well as dragmacidin-D, inhibited bNOS, but not calcineurin, activity. Murine macrophage viability and induced NOS (iNOS) activity in cultured cells was also unaffected by these compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross E. Longley, Richard A. Isbrucker, Amy E. Wright
  • Patent number: 6057333
    Abstract: Discorhabdin compounds are derived from marine sponges of the genus Batzella or prepared by synthetic methods. These compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredients, are useful as immunomodulatory, antitumor agents, and/or caspase inhibitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarath P. Gunaskera, Peter J. McCarthy, Shirley A. Pomponi, Amy E. Wright, Ross E. Longley
  • Patent number: 5955462
    Abstract: A novel use for the class of biologically active bis-heterocyclic, e.g., bis-indole alkaloid compounds, which have been named topsentins, bromotopsentins, homocarbonyltopsentins, nortopsentins, hamacanthins, bis-indole ethylamines, or dragmacidins, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, methods of producing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds are disclosed. Specifically, the novel utility pertains to the anti-neurogenicinflammatory properties exhibited by the bis-indole compounds and their analogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignees: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc., Regents of the Univ. of California
    Inventors: Robert S. Jacobs, Shirley A. Pomponi, Sarath P. Gunasekera, Amy E. Wright
  • Patent number: 5840750
    Abstract: Novel lactone compounds from the marine sponge Discodermia dissoluta have been isolated. These compounds and their analogs have been shown to have activity against mammalian cancer cells, and can be used in treating human patients which host cancer cells, including leukemia, melanoma, and breast, colon, CNS, and lung tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross E. Longley, Sarath P. Gunasekera, Shirley A. Pomponi
  • Patent number: 5684036
    Abstract: Novel macrolide compounds, including Lasonolide A and Lasonolide B, have been isolated from a marine sponge. These compounds, analogs, derivatives, or isomers of these compounds, and compositions comprising the compounds or its derivatives, are useful as antitumor agents and as biochemical tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Horton, Frank Koehn, Ross E. Longley, Oliver J. McConnell, Shirley A. Pomponi
  • Patent number: 5681847
    Abstract: Novel lactone compounds from the marine sponge Discodermia dissoluta have been isolated. These compounds and their analogs have been shown to have activity against mammalian cancer cells, and can be used in treating human patients which host cancer cells, including leukemia, melanoma, and breast, colon, CNS, and lung tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross E. Longley, Sarath P. Gunasekera
  • Patent number: 5516755
    Abstract: A novel peptide, polydiscamide A, has been isolated from a marine sponge. This compound, and its derivatives, are useful as antibacterial and antitumor agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Nanda K. Gulavita, Sarath P. Gunasekera, Shirley A. Pomponi, Ross E. Longley, Peter J. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 5496950
    Abstract: A novel use for the class of biologically active bis-heterocyclic, e.g., bis-indole alkaloid compounds, which have been named topsentins, nortopsentins, hamacanthins, or dragmacidins, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, methods of producing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds are disclosed. Specifically, the novel utility pertains to the anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by the bis-indole compounds and their analogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver J. McConnell, Gabriel Saucy, Robert Jacobs, Sarath P. Gunasekera
  • Patent number: 5478861
    Abstract: A novel macrolide compound, lasonolide A, has been isolated from a marine sponge. This compound, derivatives of the compound, and compositions comprising the compound or its derivatives, are useful as antitumor agents and as biochemical tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Horton, Frank Koehn, Ross E. Longley, Oliver J. McConnell, Shirley A. Pomponi
  • Patent number: 5464835
    Abstract: A novel use for the class of biologically active bis-heterocyclic, e.g., bis-indole alkaloid compounds, which have been named topsentins, nortopsentins, hamacanthins, or dragmacidins, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, methods of producing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds are disclosed. Specifically, the novel utility pertains to the anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by the bis-indole compounds and their analogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignees: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc., University of California
    Inventors: Oliver J. McConnell, Gabriel Saucy, Robert Jacobs, Sarath P. Gunasekera
  • Patent number: 5446207
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein a is a single bond and b is a double bond; or a is a double bond and b is a single bond; and enantiomers thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are described. These compounds can improve lipoprotein profile of dyslipidemic patients and generate an anti-atherogenic lipoprotein profile of normolipidemic individuals. In addition, inhibition of CETP activity may be useful as antifertility agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Shirley A. Pomponi, Vincent P. Gullo, Ann C. Horan, Mahesh G. Patel, Stephen J. Coval
  • Patent number: 5418608
    Abstract: A system for three dimensional mapping of a submarine surface includes (a) a light source for projecting a beam of collimated light that is reflective from the submarine surface including a laser of confined cross-sectional area, (b) a scanning unit to intercept the beam and project it in a first direction onto a selected area of the surface as a raster of pixels each at controlled X and Y coordinates of said surface and produce a reflection of the raster in a second direction, (c) a scanner processor to control the X and Y coordinates, (d) a compound lens capable of intercepting the raster reflection and focusing it as a scan image on a reception plane offset spatially from the scanning unit, (e) a position sensitive detector having a planosurface positioned substantially on the reception plane to sense the scan image and convert each pixel of the reflected raster into a pair of differential currents corresponding to the X and Y coordinates of the each pixel at said reception plane, (f) a signal processor to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Inc.
    Inventors: Frank M. Caimi, David C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5352707
    Abstract: A method for treating airway congestion which comprises administering an effective amount of the compound of formula II which follows ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Shirley A. Pompni, Vincent P. Gullo, Ann C. Horan, Mahesh G. Patel, Stephen Coval
  • Patent number: 5336757
    Abstract: A novel peptide, polydiscamide A, has been isolated from a marine sponge. This compound, and its derivatives, are useful as antibacterial agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Nanda K. Gulavita, Sarath P. Gunasekera, Shirley A. Pomponi, Ross E. Longley, Peter J. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 5306183
    Abstract: A propulsion system for a submarine vessel includes a thruster including a magnetic flux generating stator, a shaftless propellant rotor, electrical conductors to supply electrical current to the thruster, an electronic controller to regulate such electrical current and a mounting unit to attach the thruster to the vessel. The stator includes a plurality of magnetizable pole pieces each associated with windings of conductive wires electrically connected to a power supply via the controller. The rotor includes a propeller ring containing a plurality of permanent magnets to be torqued by the magnetic flux from the stator pole pieces and a plurality of propeller blades. The rotation of the rotor (armature) provides position signals to the controller which then energizes the proper field windings of the stator to continue the motion and provide full torque regardless of rotor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Holt, Gregory C. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 5298523
    Abstract: Mycalamide compounds are derived from marine sponges of the genus Mycale or prepared by synthetic methods. These compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredients, are useful as immunomodulatory agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross E. Longley, Glynn T. Faircloth
  • Patent number: 5290777
    Abstract: A novel use for the class of biologically active bis-indole alkaloid compounds, which have been named topsentins, nortopsentins, or dragmacidins, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, methods of producing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds are disclosed. Specifically, the novel utility pertains to the anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by the bis-indole compounds and their analogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignees: Regents of the Univ. of California, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Inst. Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver J. McConnell, Gabriel Saucy, Robert Jacobs