Patents Examined by Bruce D. Hissong
  • Method for producing soluble recombinant interferon protein without denaturing
    Patent number: 9187543
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of recombinant protein production in bacterial hosts. It further relates to extraction of soluble, active recombinant protein from an insoluble fraction without the use of denaturation and without the need for a refolding step. In particular, the present invention relates to a production process for obtaining high levels a soluble recombinant Type 1 interferon protein from a bacterial host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: PFENEX INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen, Ping-Hua Feng, Anant Patkar, Keith L. Haney, Lawrence Chew, Lei Lei Phokham Sengchanthalangsy
  • Methods of treating lupus
    Patent number: 9181345
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses auto-antibodies associated with autoimmune disorders. The auto-antibodies may be used, for example, in methods of treating patients, methods of diagnosing patients, methods of monitoring disease progression of patients, and methods of prognosing patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: MEDIMMUNE, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Zmuda, Christina Strange, Wendy Irene White
  • Interferon-antibody fusion proteins demonstrating potent apoptotic and anti-tumor activities
    Patent number: 9139634
    Abstract: This invention provides novel chimeric moieties that show significant efficacy against cancers. In certain embodiments the chimeric moieties comprise a targeting moiety attached to an interferon. In certain embodiments, the chimeric moieties comprise fusion proteins where an antibody that specifically binds to a cancer marker is fused to interferon alpha (IFN-?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Sherie L. Morrison, Tzu-Hsuan Huang, Caiyun Xuan
  • PEG-interferon-beta formulations
    Patent number: 9138403
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid pharmaceutical composition comprising a pegylated IFN-? (PEG-IFN-?), an excipient, a surfactant and a buffer wherein said excipient is a polyol, wherein said surfactant is a non-ionic surfactant and wherein said buffer is a sodium acetate buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: MERCK SERONO SA
    Inventors: Alessandra Del Rio, Joel Richard
  • Myomegalin variant 8
    Patent number: 9133258
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel myomegalin isoform—myomegalin variant 8 (MMG8). The myomegalin variant 8 regulates microtubule organization at the Golgi apparatus, protein modification, secretion and trafficking, and cell proliferation. The present invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding the myomegalin isoforms, and vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acid molecules. Also provided are fusion constructs comprising the myomegalin isoform and antibodies that bind specifically to the myomegalin isoforms of the present invention. The present invention further provides uses of the myomegalin isoform as a diagnostic biomarker and as a target for screening for therapeutics for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and lysosomal storage diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Zhe Wang, Robert Zhong Qi
  • Polymer conjugates of interferon-beta with enhanced biological potency
    Patent number: 9125880
    Abstract: Methods are provided for the synthesis of polymer conjugates of cytokines and receptor-binding antagonists thereof, especially a non-glycosylated interferon-beta, which conjugates retain unusually high biological potency. Preparation of polymer conjugates according to the methods of the present invention diminishes or avoids steric inhibition of receptor-ligand interactions that commonly results from the attachment of polymers to receptor-binding regions of cytokines, as well as to agonistic and antagonistic analogs thereof. The invention also provides conjugates and compositions produced by such methods. The conjugates of the present invention retain a high level of biological potency compared to those produced by traditional polymer coupling methods that are not targeted to avoid receptor-binding domains of cytokines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Mountain View Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. P. Saifer, Alexa L. Martinez, L. David Williams, Merry R. Sherman
  • Production of IFN-lambda by conventional dendritic cells
    Patent number: 9090897
    Abstract: In the present invention, CD8+ conventional dendritic cells (CD8+ cDCs) and equivalents thereof (eCD8+ cDCs) in mouse and human have been established as major source of IFN-lambda (IFN-?) in response to double-stranded (ds) nucleic acids. The invention relates to therapeutic applications of ds nucleic acids or analogs thereof targeting CD8+ and/or eCD8+ cDCs in the prevention and/or treatment of infectious diseases, preferably viral infections, or cancer. Furthermore, the invention relates to an in vitro method for producing IFN-? and/or generating or obtaining a population of IFN-? producing CD8+ or eCD8+ cDCs as well as in vitro method for detecting or screening for CD8+ and/or eCD8+ cDCs. In addition, the invention relates to a Flt3-ligand or a M-CSF receptor ligand for use in increasing the level of CD8+ and/or eCD8+ cDCs in a subject suffering from an infectious disease or cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Bavarian Nordic A/S
    Inventor: Hubertus Hochrein
  • Anti-TNF antibody formulations
    Patent number: 9085619
    Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous formulation comprising water and a protein, and methods of making the same. The aqueous formulation of the invention may be a high protein formulation and/or may have low levels of conductity resulting from the low levels of ionic excipients. Also included in the invention are formulations comprising water and proteins having low osmolality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: AbbVie Biotechnology LTD.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fraunhofer, Annika Bartl, Hans-Juergen Krause, Markus Tschoepe
  • Methods for identifying modulators of tumor necrosis factor receptors
    Patent number: 9081017
    Abstract: This invention relates to the identification and characterization of specific cellular responses which are associated with tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR2). Selective modulation of these tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) Selective modulations of these responses may be useful in the promotion or inhibition of cell growth, for example, in the treatment of disease conditions, including cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Therapeutic methods employed selective TNFR1 and TNFR2 modulators are provided, along with screening methods for the identification of selective TNFR1 and TNFR2 modulators useful in such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: Cambridge Enterprise Limited, Yale University
    Inventors: John Bradley, Jordan Pober, Paul Clark, Wang Min, Martin Kluger
  • Method for treating psoriasis
    Patent number: 9078876
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the creation and screening of non-human animal models having many of the histologic characteristics of human psoriasis. Immunocompromised host animals are injected with a purified population of CD45Rb positive cells, which are tolerant of the host major histocompatibility antigens, but are mismatched at one or more minor antigens. The injected cells are stimulated with a pro-inflammatory cytokine, e.g. IL-12, and a polyclonal activating agent. The injected animals develop a chronic skin disorder that includes histological features observed in human psoriasis, e.g. rete pegs, severe acanthosis and infiltration of Th1 cells into the dermis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Abbvie Biotherapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf O. Ehrhardt, Kenneth Hong
  • Method for treating psoriasis
    Patent number: 9072725
    Abstract: Methods of treating a patient suffering from psoriasis are disclosed, comprising administration of an antibody binding to interleukin-12 (IL-12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Abbvie Biotherapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf O. Ehrhardt, Kenneth Hong
  • Methods for treating burns-related systemic inflammatory response syndrome
    Patent number: 9066907
    Abstract: A topical preventative medicament against burns-related systemic inflammatory response syndrome containing a low-molecular-weight chaperone as the main active ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Biofunctional Structure Research Institute, BFSR Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Chinami, Chaker N. Adra
  • Treatment of ocular lesions
    Patent number: 9050310
    Abstract: Methods for the treatment of ocular lesions, particularly diseases of the surface of the eye, selected from pterygium, pinguecula, ocular dysplasia, ocular neoplastic disorders including malignancy of the limbus and eyelids in humans and animals, neurotrophic keratitis, fibrosis of conjunctival drainage blebs in glaucoma and viral disorders of the eye surface are described. Also described are uses and eyedrop formulations for the treatment of eye surface lesions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Minas Theodore Coroneo
  • Human antibodies that bind the P40 subunit of human IL-12 and methods for using the same
    Patent number: 9035030
    Abstract: Human antibodies, preferably recombinant human antibodies, that specifically bind to human interleukin-12 (hIL-12) are disclosed. Preferred antibodies have high affinity for hIL-12 and neutralize hIL-12 activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hIL-12 and for inhibiting hIL-12 activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hIL-12 activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expressing the recombinant human antibodies of the invention, and methods of synthesizing the recombinant human antibodies, are also encompassed by the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Salfeld, Michael Roguska, Michael Paskind, Subhashis Banerjee, Daniel Tracey, Michael White, Zehra Kaymakcalan, Boris Labkovsky, Paul Sakorafas, Geertruida M. Veldman, Amy Venturini, Angela Widom, Stuart Friedrich, Nicholas W. Warne, Angela Myles, John Gawain Elvin, Alexander Robert Duncan, Elaine Joy Derbyshire, Sara Carmen, Stephen Smith, Thor Las Holtet, Sarah Leila Du Fou
  • Interferon-statin combination cancer therapy
    Patent number: 9034310
    Abstract: A method for pharmacological treatment of cancers and other diseases is presented which includes the novel combination of a statin (Hmg-CoA reductase inhibitor, such as lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, or newer agents), with an interferon (such as interferon alfa-2b or others) and also including concurrent administration of selenium and calcium. The method disclosed in this invention is useful because it can prove more effective than previously known therapies for certain diseases and because its use may be more tolerable, less disfiguring, and less expensive than other methods. The method here disclosed can be readily reproduced by any person skilled in the art of treating disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen B. Cantrell
  • Methods for treating nicotine addiction and reducing food consumption
    Patent number: 9028808
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cytokine for use in the treatment and/or control of dependent and/or addictive behavior, in particular addiction and/or dependency to nicotine, food addiction, alcohol addiction and/or sex addiction. The present invention also relates to treatment and/or control of withdrawal and/or symptoms of withdrawal from an addiction, in particular nicotine addiction, food addiction, alcohol addiction and/or sex addiction. The present invention further relates to the induction of loss of interest or aversion to the addictive substance or behavior, such as nicotine, over-indulgence in high-calorie, high-fat foods, and to other behaviors or addictions that are hazardous to the health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Immunservice GmbH
    Inventor: Edith Huland
  • Methods of treating a disease mediated by sensitized T cells
    Patent number: 9017677
    Abstract: A preventive or therapeutic agent for sensitized T cell-mediated diseases comprising an interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonist, for example an antibody directed against IL-6 receptor, an antibody directed against IL-6, an antibody directed against gp130, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Mihara
  • Process for the preparation of glycosylated interferon beta
    Patent number: 8993724
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of interferon beta, and to an interferon beta composition having a unique glycosylation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ares Trading S.A.
    Inventors: Dina Fischer, Alain Bernard, Paul Ducommun, Mara Rossi
  • PEG-interferon ?1 conjugates and methods of treating viral infections
    Patent number: 8980245
    Abstract: The present application discloses new PEG-interferon lambda 1 conjugates (PEG-IFN?1), processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these conjugates and processes for making the same. These conjugates have increased blood half-lives and persistence time compared to IFN?1 and are effective in the treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
    Inventor: Nhan Ho
  • Engineered antibody-interferon mutant fusion molecules
    Patent number: 8980267
    Abstract: The field of the present invention relates to genetically engineered fusion molecules, methods of making said fusion molecules, and uses thereof in anti-tumor immunotherapies. More specifically, the present invention relates to fusion molecule constructs wherein a tumor associated antigen (TAA) antibody (Ab) serves as a targeting moiety to selectively deliver a cytokine to a tumor cell for purposes of killing or inhibiting the growth or proliferation of said tumor cell. In various embodiments, the engineered fusion molecules comprise a TAA Ab fused to an interferon-alpha (IFN-?) mutant molecule. The engineered Ab-IFN-? mutant fusion molecules of the present invention demonstrate improved therapeutic index and preserved or increased efficacy as compared to Ab-wildtype IFN-? fusion molecules, and/or demonstrate improved PK properties as compared to Ab-wildtype IFN-? fusion molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ImmunGene Inc
    Inventors: Iqbal Grewal, Sanjay Khare, Michael Gresser, Rashid Syed