Patents Examined by Chih-Min Kam
  • Patent number: 8202522
    Abstract: Methods of using clostridial toxins and other biological agents to treat skin cosmesis in humans is provided. The disclosed methods provide beneficial effects in humans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventors: Ira Sanders, Rosemary Aquila-Sanders
  • Patent number: 8192646
    Abstract: The ionic conjugates include an inorganic particle electrostatically associated with a macromolecule which can interact specifically with predetermined chemical species or biological targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: George P. Anderson, Hedi Mattoussi, J. Matthew Mauro, Moungi G. Bawendi, Vikram C. Sundar
  • Patent number: 8188041
    Abstract: The invention features a method of treating an inflammatory condition in an individual, comprising administering an agent inhibits the interaction between a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and a high mobility group B (HMGB) polypeptide to the individual. The invention also features methods for identifying agents that inhibit the interaction between TLR2 and HMGB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
    Inventors: Kevin J. Tracey, Huan Yang
  • Patent number: 8187860
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are obligate heterotrophic microalgae cells containing an exogenous gene. In some embodiments the gene is a sucrose utilization gene, and further disclosed are methods of manufacturing triglyceride oils using sugar cane or sugar beets as a feedstock in a heterotrophic fermentation. In other embodiments the feedstock is depolymerized cellulosic material. Also disclosed are cells that produce medium chain fatty acids at levels not produced in non-recombinant cells of the same species and genus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Franklin, Aravind Somanchi, Karen Espina, George Rudenko, Penelope Chua
  • Patent number: 8187834
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to non-cytotoxic protein conjugates for inhibition or reduction of exocytic fusion in a nociceptive sensory afferent cell. The protein conjugates comprise: (i) a Targeting Moiety (TM), wherein the TM is an agonist of a receptor present on a nociceptive sensory afferent cell, and wherein the receptor undergoes endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; (ii) a non-cytotoxic protease or a fragment thereof, wherein the protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; and (iii) a Translocation Domain, wherein the Translocation Domain translocates the protease or protease fragment from within the endosome, across the endosomal membrane, and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the protein conjugates, methods of preparing same and uses thereof are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: Syntaxin, Ltd., Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Foster, John Chaddock, Charles Penn, Kei Roger Aoki, Joseph Francis, Lance Steward
  • Patent number: 8178329
    Abstract: At least one isolated microorganism and a fermentation method to convert hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, and/or carbon monoxide gas to a lower alkyl alcohol and/or carboxylic acid and to produce at least 2% by volume of the lower alkyl alcohol or carboxylic acid in an aqueous-based medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Allen Kohn, Seon-Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8178332
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream, particularly a flue gas, hydrogen gas from a reformer, natural gas, or gas from a cement kiln. Immobilized enzymes for use in carbon capture and other systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Akermin, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Patent number: 8178327
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms comprising a 1,4-butanediol (BDO) pathway comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a BDO pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce BDO. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce BDO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Anthony P. Burgard, Robin E. Osterhout, Jun Sun
  • Patent number: 8168592
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition of matter that involves a CGRP peptide antagonist. A pharmaceutical composition is disclosed that comprises the composition of matter and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which can be configured for administration to a patient. Also disclosed is a method of producing the composition of matter. Methods of treating, preventing or mitigating migraine, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Colin V. Gegg, Jr., Eileen J. Johnson, Leslie P. Miranda, Kenneth W. Walker, Jerry Ryan Holder, Marie E. Wright, Derin C. D'Amico
  • Patent number: 8168587
    Abstract: This invention provides various combinations of enzyme replacement therapy, gene therapy, and small molecule therapy for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Genezyme Corporation
    Inventors: David Meeker, Seng H. Cheng
  • Patent number: 8158754
    Abstract: Disclosed is a kind of multiple modified derivatives of gelatin having not only the structure of formula (I) but also one of structures of formula (II), (III), and (IV) as well, wherein, G refers to gelatin residue, which can be type A, type B or a gelatin obtained from gene recombination; R1 refers to alkylene, or a linkage group with amide; R2 refers to alkyl, or aryl; R3 refers to alkylene; and R4 refers to carboxyl or carboxylate. The multiple modifying ways of gelatin comprise the hydrophobic modification on the amino group of gelatin through amide bond, carboxylation on the amino group of gelatin through amide bond, thiolation on the carboxyl group of gelatin, and thiolation following carboxylation on amino group of gelatin through amide bond. Also disclosed is a crosslinked material made of multiple modified derivatives of gelatin. The multiple modified derivatives of gelatin have flexible chemical structures and many properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Bioregen Biomedical (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chan Song
  • Patent number: 8158755
    Abstract: A method of producing gelatin particles, including immersing a discharge spout in a hydrophobic solvent, discharging an aqueous gelatin solution from a nozzle tip into the hydrophobic solvent, and lifting, after discharging, the nozzle from the hydrophobic solvent, which can produce particles having an object particle size in a high yield, and can produce gelatin particles that do not essentially require a classification operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Eriko Konno, Tatsumi Ishikawa, Tsuyoshi Kasahara
  • Patent number: 8158107
    Abstract: Disclosed is a panel of biomarkers associated with angiogenesis, and the use of such biomarkers (genes, proteins, homologues and analogs thereof) to regulate angiogenesis. Methods for identifying compounds useful for regulating angiogenesis and conditions related thereto are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: National Jewish Health
    Inventors: William P. Schiemann, Allan R. Albig
  • Patent number: 8153758
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-natural amino acids and polypeptides that include at least one non-natural amino acid, and methods for making such non-natural amino acids and polypeptides. The non-natural amino acids, by themselves or as a part of a polypeptide, can include a wide range of possible functionalities, but typical have at least one aromatic amine group. Also disclosed herein are non-natural amino acid polypeptides that are further modified post-translationally, methods for effecting such modifications, and methods for purifying such polypeptides. Typically, the modified non-natural amino acid polypeptides include at least one alkylated amine group. Further disclosed are methods for using such non-natural amino acid polypeptides and modified non-natural amino acid polypeptides, including therapeutic, diagnostic, and other biotechnology uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ambrx, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenwei Miao, Junjie Liu, Thea Norman
  • Patent number: 8153410
    Abstract: A composition having an agent adapted to affect a multimeric protein by binding to a binding site of the multimeric protein and thereby affecting an equilibrium of units, wherein the multimeric protein has an assembly having a plurality of said units, wherein each of the units has a first complementary surface and a second complementary surface and wherein the first complementary surface of one unit is associated with the second complementary surface of another unit, provided that the assembly is at least one of different quaternary isoforms on a condition that in the multimeric protein (1) a structure of each of the units determines a structure of the different quaternary isoforms, (2) the units are in the equilibrium and (3) the structure of the different quaternary isoforms influences a function of the multimeric protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fox Chase Cancer Center
    Inventor: Eileen K. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 8153139
    Abstract: Methods of using clostridial toxins and other biological agents to treat rosacea in humans is provided. The disclosed methods provide beneficial effects in humans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: Ira Sanders, Rosemary Aquila-Sanders
  • Patent number: 8153408
    Abstract: A process for the racemization of an optically active alpha-hydroxyketone by incubating said alpha-hydroxyketone in the presence of an acetoin racemase of Lactobacillus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Bernhard Hauer, Rainer Stürmer, Bettina M. Nestl, Wolfgang Kroutil, Kurt Faber
  • Patent number: 8148328
    Abstract: This invention pertains to the surprising discovery that salicylanilides, e.g., niclosamide and/or niclosamide analogues when orally administered in conjunction with a peptide pharmaceutical (e.g., a class A amphipathic helical peptide as described herein) significantly increases the bioavailability of that peptide. Methods of peptide delivery using such “delivery agents” and pharmaceutical formulations are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Alan M. Fogelman, Mohamad Navab
  • Patent number: 8143224
    Abstract: A purified polypeptide includes an ApoA1 mimetic or fragment thereof that are resistant to oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Smith, Stanley L. Hazen
  • Patent number: 8143040
    Abstract: The present invention describes a process for saccharification of lignocelluloses to sugars using whole microbial cells, which are enriched from cultures inoculated with paper mill waste water, wood processing waste and soil. A three-member bacterial consortium is selected as a potent microbial inocula and immobilized on inedible plant fibers for biomass saccharification. The present invention further relates the design of a dual bioreactor system, with various biocarriers for enzyme immobilization and repeated use. Sugars are continuously removed eliminating end-product inhibition and consumption by cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Metna Co
    Inventors: Jue Lu, Benedict Okeke