Patents Assigned to UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND
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Patent number: 10519222Abstract: The present invention relates anti-HIV therapies and prophylaxis. Specifically, the invention relates to broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors comprising the nucleic acids and cells and pharmaceutical compositions Comprising said vectors and/or antibodies. The present invention also relates to use of the antibodies and/or vectors for the treatment and/or prevention of HIV-1 infection in a subject. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a kit containing the antibodies of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignees: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, CENTRE FOR THE AIDS PROGRAMME OF RESEARCH IN SOUTH AFRICA, UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG, NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORY SERVICEInventors: Chaim Aryeh Schramm, Jason Gorman, John Mascola, Lawrence Stewart Shapiro, Lynn Morris, Nicole Amy Doria-Rose, Penelope Linda Moore, Peter Dak Pin Kwong, Salim Safurdeen Abdool Karim
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Publication number: 20190394030Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and system for hybrid classical-quantum communication. The method comprises transmitting a single photon having a particular quantum state over a communication medium using a quantum mode set; and transmitting a classical light beam over the same communication medium using a classical mode set, wherein the classical and quantum mode sets comprise non-separable modes in common. The non-separable modes in common may be two degrees of freedom of a single photon or classical light and may thus be spatial modes in one or more indexes, and polarisation. The invention relates also to a system to implement the method accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicant: University of The Witwatersrand, JohannesburgInventors: Andrew FORBES, Bienvenu NDAGANO,, Isaac NAPE, Mitchell COX, Carmelo ROSALES-GUZMAN
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Patent number: 10478527Abstract: This invention relates to biodegradable implants comprising a hydrogel carrier matrix having dispersed therein a multitude of particles, wherein each of the multitude of particles and/or the hydrogel carrier matrix includes an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for the treatment of transected peripheral nerve injuries. Each of the multitude of particles and/or the hydrogel carrier matrix includes pristine polymer particles, preferably the pristine polymer particles may be polymethylmethacrylate polymers and derivatives thereof, preferably poly(methacrylic-co-methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The spheroidal particles may each be formed from an outer shell including a chitosan (CHT) poly(methacrylic-co-methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polyelectrolyte complex (CHT-PMMA-PEC) and an inner core including crosslinked chitosan having dispersed therein PMMA nanoparticles.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgInventors: Viness Pillay, Yahya Essop Choonara, Pradeep Kumar, Lisa Claire Du Toit, Poornima Ramburrun
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Patent number: 10211126Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing an object with microchannels provides therethrough, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a method of manufacturing a micro heat exchanger with microchannels provided therethrough. The method includes the steps of providing a metal base layer made from a first metal; forming a plurality of spaced apart ridges, made from a second metal, on the base layer; depositing more of the first metal onto the ridges in order to cover the ridges; and removing the ridges using a chemical etching process so as to produce microchannels in a body made of the first metal.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURGInventors: Agripa Hamweendo, Ionel Botef
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Patent number: 10196706Abstract: The invention is concerned with a system for performing Laser Shock Peeing on a target (100). The system includes a device (10) for generating and transmitting a laser pulse to the target (100) and a fluid source for supplying a fluid into a fluid flow path arranged between an inlet (20) and an outlet (22.1, 22.2). A solid medium (14), which is transparent to incident laser light (12), is located in the laser path so as to allow the laser pulse to pass through it. In use, the fluid flow path is sandwiched between the solid medium (14) and the target (100) during the laser shock peening process so that the fluid is in direct contact with the solid medium (14) and the target (100), thereby eliminating any air-fluid interface in the travel path of the laser pulse. The fluid is also supplied into the fluid flow path having a constant thickness such that a second shock event through cavitation in the fluid layer occurs upon the collapse of a plasmalvapor bubble generated after the laser pulse striking the target.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: University of the WitwatersrandInventors: Daniel Glaser, Claudia Polese
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Patent number: 10080816Abstract: This invention relates to a wound dressing, particularly to a stimuli responsive wound dressing comprising a lyophilized hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel, and a plurality of devices embedded within said lyophilized hyaluronic acid hydrogel. Each of the plurality of devices including chitosan and hypromellose and may be formed as biofilms and/or electrospun fiber mats.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgInventors: Viness Pillay, Yahya Essop Choonara, Pradeep Kumar, Lisa Claire Du Toit, Naeema Mayet
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Patent number: 10040724Abstract: The present invention provides for carbide ceramic matrix composite comprising Cf/C—SiC-xMC wherein Cf/C is a carbon fiber reinforced carbon matrix, x is at least 2, and wherein MC are carbides of transition metals with M being at least two different transition metals selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten. The invention further provides for a method for manufacturing the composite.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignees: University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Phylis Sarah Makurunje, Iakovos Sigalas, Mathias Herrmann
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Publication number: 20180193271Abstract: The invention relates to an oral polymeric pharmaceutical dosage form which comprises a thermoresponsive eutectic composition which is solid at or about room temperature and fluid at or about body temperature, the eutectic composition mixed together with a crosslinking agent and an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to form an API loaded region; and a porous polymeric composition at least partially surrounding the API loaded region to protect the API when the dosage form is in a stomach of the human or animal body, the porous polymeric composition allowing the ingress of water to contact the crosslinking agent thereby facilitating the crosslinking agent to cause crosslinking of the porous polymeric composition, which crosslinked porous polymeric composition allows controlled egress of API via egress of fluid thermoresponsive eutectic composition at the intestine. In a preferred embodiment, the dosage form further comprises a coating there around.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURGInventors: Viness PILLAY, Lisa Claire DU TOIT, Yahya Essop CHOONARA, Bibi F. CHOONARA, Pradeep KUMAR, Pierre Pavan Demarco KONDIAH
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Patent number: 9808418Abstract: A pH responsive and mucoadhesive pharmaceutical dosage form for the release of a pharmaceutically active agent is described. The dosage form includes a mucoadhesive layer for site-specific mucoadhesion, a water-insoluble outer layer, and an intermediate layer including one or more pharmaceutically active agents for site-specific delivery. The different membranous layers perform different functions in order to create a drug delivery system which is able to deliver a drug to a specific site, for a particular period of time and with a specific drug release pattern. The dosage form can have two or more intermediate layers, each layer comprising an active agent. The mucoadhesive layer can also include an active agents. The dosage form is preferably an oral or buccal delivery form for release of the active agent into the gastro intestinal tract. The intermediate layer can be an electrospun fibrous membrane layer containing the active agent.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURGInventors: Viness Pillay, Rubina Perveen Shaikh, Yahya Essop Choonara, Lisa Claire Du Toit
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Publication number: 20160361413Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modulating concentration of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) relevant proteins amyloid precursor protein (APP), beta (?) and gamma (?) secretases and amyloid beta peptide (A?), and also relates to a method of reducing A? shedding. Furthermore, this invention extends to a compound for use in the treatment of AD, and also to a method of treating AD.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURGInventors: Stefan Franz Thomas Weiss, Katarina Jovanovic, Danielle Gonsavles, Bianca Da Costa Dias, Stefan Knackmuss, Uwe Reusch, Melvyn Little, Marc Saul Weinberg
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Publication number: 20160362479Abstract: The present invention relates anti-HIV therapies and prophylaxis. Specifically, the invention relates to broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors comprising the nucleic acids and cells and pharmaceutical compositions Comprising said vectors and/or antibodies. The present invention also relates to use of the antibodies and/or vectors for the treatment and/or prevention of HIV-1 infection in a subject. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a kit containing the antibodies of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Applicants: The United states of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Serv, The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, National Health Laboratory ServiceInventors: Chaim Aryeh Schramm, Jason Gorman, John Mascola, Lawrence Stewart Shapiro, Lynn Morris, Nicole Amy Doria-Rose, Penelope Linda Moore, Peter Dak Pin Kwong, Salim Safurdeen Abdool Karim
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Patent number: 9439863Abstract: This invention relates to pharmaceutical dosage forms, particularly to pH dependent pharmaceutical dosage forms with enhanced and/or prolonged distribution of a pharmaceutical compound at a target site. More specifically, this invention relates to a controlled release intravaginal pharmaceutical dosage form and, more particularly, to a pharmaceutical dosage form which comprises microspheres encapsulated and/or embedded within a bioerodible polymeric matrix, together the microspheres and the matrix are formed into a caplet and/or tablet.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgInventors: Viness Pillay, Yahya Essop Choonara, Felix Mashingaidse, Pradeep Kumar
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Patent number: 9422563Abstract: Nucleic acid aptamers which bind specifically to or are internalised into cells expressing a CD7 cell-surface receptor are disclosed. The aptamers comprise a nucleic acid molecule having a sequence which is at least 80% identical to 5?-GG-GAGACAAGAAUAAGCAUG-R1-UUCGACAGGAGGCUCACAACAGnynz-3? (SEQ ID NO: 3). The aptamers can be linked to therapeutic or diagnostic molecules, and can be used to deliver the therapeutic or diagnostic molecules to cells expressing the CD7 receptor. The aptamers can also be used as detection tools.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgInventors: Laura Ann Millroy, Makobetsa Abel Khati, Mark Saul Weinberg
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Patent number: 9365647Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modulating concentration of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) relevant proteins amyloid precursor protein (APP), beta (?) and gamma (?) secretases and amyloid beta peptide (A?), and also relates to a method of reducing A? shedding. Furthermore, this invention extends to a compound for use in the treatment of AD, and also to a method of treating AD.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2012Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURGInventors: Stefan Franz Thomas Weiss, Katarina Jovanovic, Danielle Gonsavles, Bianca Da Costa Dias, Stefan Knackmuss, Uwe Reusch, Melvyn Little, Marc Saul Weinberg
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Patent number: 9352300Abstract: This invention relates to a titanium dioxide catalyst particle, the catalyst particle comprising rutile nanorods having metal nanoparticles deposited at or near the free ends of the nanorods, which is suitable to catalyze reactions after exposure to temperatures above 550 deg C. The invention also provides for the use of a catalyst particle in catalyzing reactions and a method of catalyzing reactions, the catalyst particle being suitable to catalyze reactions after exposure to temperatures about 550 deg C.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgInventors: Dean Howard Barrett, Paul John Franklyn
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Publication number: 20160101176Abstract: A polymeric hydrogel pharmaceutical dosage form for drug delivery to a target site of a human or animal. The dosage form includes polyethylene-imine (PEI) and 1-vinylimidazole (1VA), the dosage form being electro-responsive in use. Also, methods of manufacturing the dosage form and methods of treating chronic pain utilizing the dosage form.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2014Publication date: April 14, 2016Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURGInventors: Viness PILLAY, Sunaina INDERMUN, Lisa Claire DU TOIT, Yahya Essop CHOONARA,, Pradeep KUMAR
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Patent number: 9284341Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical dosage form which may comprise carbamoyl glycinated chitosan, and particularly it relates to a pharmaceutical dosage form comprising the novel polymer in a lyophilized polymeric wafer form which shows rapid disintegration and dissolution characteristics in use.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRANDInventors: Pradeep Kumar, Viness Pillay, Yahya Essop Choonara
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Patent number: 9269981Abstract: This invention relates to fuel cells, particularly proton exchange membrane fuel cells, more particularly to proton exchange membrane fuel cells employing nanocomposite sulphonated polystyrene-butadiene rubber-carbon nanoball (SPSBR-CNB) membranes as an electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: University of the WitwatersrandInventors: Sunny Esayegbemu Iyuke, Hendrik Christoffel Van Zyl Pienaar, Ambali Saka Abdulkareem, Ayo Samuel Afolabi, Christopher Avwoghokoghene Idibie
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Patent number: 9220773Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for intraperitoneal delivery of an anti-neoplastic agent is provided for treating cancers associated with aberrant mucin expression, preferably ovarian cancer and pancreatic, prostate, metastatic breast, bladder and lung cancers. The composition comprises nanomicelles loaded with the anti-neoplastic agent, and antibodies such as anti-MUC16, anti-MUC1 or anti-MUC4 are conjugated to these nanomicelles. The antibody-bound nanomicelles are optionally embedded in a biodegradable pH- and thermo-responsive hydrogel capable of sol-gel transition at body temperature. The pharmaceutical composition is implantable in the peritoneum, where it transforms into a semi-solid gel at the body's core temperature. In response to pH, the hydrogel swells and releases the antibody-bound nanomicelles. The nanomicelles specifically target mucin antigens on cancer cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURGInventors: Nthato Chirwa, Viness Pillay, Yahya Essop Choonara, Pradeep Kumar, Lisa Claire Du Toit
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Patent number: 9222108Abstract: This invention relates to bioreactor processes, particularly bioreactor processes for the production of hydrogen gas from biomass, more particularly to bioreactor processes for the production of hydrogen gas employing a mixed anaerobic thermophilic bacterial consortium during the anaerobic fermentation of biomass.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: University of The Witwatersrand, JohannesburgInventor: Vincent Myles Gray