Patents Examined by Chih-Min Kam
  • Patent number: 8597903
    Abstract: The present technology discloses biotinidase assay, biotinidase substrates (I) and a kit wherein the biotinidase substrate includes a label molecule separated from the biotin carbamoyl group by a linker X longer than about 4 ? but shorter than about 27 ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Jarkko Karvinen, Pertti Hurskainen, Pekka Mattsson, Outi Mulari, Jari Peuralahti, Lassi Jaakkola
  • Patent number: 8592188
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the production of oil, fuels, oleochemicals, and other compounds in recombinant microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a lipase, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a keto acyl-ACP synthase enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, a fatty acyl-CoA reductase, a fatty aldehyde reductase, a fatty aldehyde decarbonylase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing transportation fuels such as renewable diesel, biodiesel, and renewable jet fuel, as well as oleochemicals such as functional fluids, surfactants, soaps and lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Franklin, Aravind Somanchi, Janice Wee, George Rudenko, Jeffrey L. Moseley, Walt Rakitsky
  • Patent number: 8580517
    Abstract: G protein biosensors comprising mammalian G protein subunits fused to fluorescent proteins emitting a FRET signal expressed in living intact functional cells. The intensity of the FRET signal is strongly responsive to the activation state of the biosensors. The biosensors respond reproducibly to agonist and antagonist drug molecules specific for G protein coupled receptors. The biosensors have utility in identifying and classifying candidate therapeutic drugs as to their therapeutic value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Washington University in St. Louis
    Inventors: Narasimhan Gautam, Inaki Azpiazu
  • Patent number: 8580745
    Abstract: This invention relates to a composition of botulinum based pharmaceuticals used for therapeutic and cosmetic treatment. This invention offers an improvement on the prior art by eliminating the potential of blood-borne contamination with botulinum based pharmaceuticals. Recombinant serum albumin is taught for use in the place of human serum albumin as a stabilizing or enhancing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Botulinum Toxin Research Associates Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Borodic
  • Patent number: 8580540
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to the production of hydrocarbon compositions, such as a lipid, in microorganisms. In particular, the invention provides methods for extracting, recovering, isolating and obtaining a lipid from a microorganism and compositions comprising the lipid. The invention also discloses methods for producing hydrocarbon compositions for use as biodiesel, renewable diesel, jet fuel, and other materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Harrison F. Dillon, Dan Elefant, Anthony G. Day, Scott Franklin, Jon Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 8563687
    Abstract: A new approach in the field of plant gums is described which presents a new solution to the production of hydroxyproline(Hyp)-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs), repetitive proline-rich proteins (RPRPs) and arabino-galactan proteins (AGPs). The expression of synthetic genes designed from repetitive peptide sequences of such glycoproteins, including the peptide sequences of gum arabic glycoprotein (GAGP), is taught in host cells, including plant host cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventor: Marcia J. Kieliszewski
  • Patent number: 8557781
    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: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: AMBRX, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenwei Miao, Junjie Liu, Thea Norman
  • Patent number: 8557962
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of endothelial dysfunction in a diabetic patient, including both diabetes induced macrovascular disorders and diabetes induced microvascular disorders, comprises administration, preferably parenteral administration, to the patient of an effective amount of high density lipoprotein (HDL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: CSL Limited
    Inventor: Erik S. G. Stroes
  • Patent number: 8551746
    Abstract: A method of operating a fermentation zone for the production of ethanol from syngas uses a crotonate derivative to prevent or reverse the effects of butyrigen contamination. The crotonate compound works in continuous fermentation processes to reduce or eliminate contamination from butyrate and butanol in the syngas derived ethanol product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Coskata, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Reeves, Rathin Datta
  • Patent number: 8546558
    Abstract: A method of treating chemical pulp for the manufacture of microfibrillated cellulose includes the following steps: a) providing a hemicellulose containing pulp, b) refining the pulp in at least one step and treating the pulp with one or more wood degrading enzymes at a relatively low enzyme dosage, and c) homogenizing the pulp thus providing the microfibrillated cellulose. A microfibrillated cellulose obtainable by the method is also provided. The microfibrillated cellulose can be used in food products, paper products, composite materials, coatings or in rheology modifiers (e.g. drilling muds).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: STFI-Packforsk AB
    Inventors: Mikael Ankerfors, Tom Lindström, Gunnar Henriksson
  • Patent number: 8535921
    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: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Richard Allen Kohn, Seon-Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8536127
    Abstract: Provided are storage containers for proteinaceous pharmaceutical compositions which are characterized in, among other things, comprising (i) a wall portion, wherein an inner wall material thereof is selected from silica-coated glass, silicone-coated glass, polymers of non-cyclic olefins, cycloolefin polymers and cycloolefin/linear olefin copolymers and (ii) one or more closure portions not constituting part of the wall portion, and which contains a formulation of a protein. Also provided are new methods of storing proteinaceous compositions. In one aspect, the stored protein is characterized as having an amino-terminal ?-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain with 9-12 Gla residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk Healthcare AG
    Inventors: Michael Bech Jensen, Birthe Lykkegaard Hansen, Troels Kornfelt, Kirsten Kramer Jakobsen
  • Patent number: 8535941
    Abstract: Compositions useful for detecting Clostridial toxin activity comprising a cell that comprises a membrane-associated Clostridial toxin substrate comprising a first member of a fluorescence resonance energy transfer pair; and a Clostridial toxin recognition sequence including a cleavage site; and a membrane-associated second member of the FRET pair and methods useful for determining Clostridial toxin activity using such Clostridial toxin substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Ester Fernandez-Salas, Lance E. Steward, Kei Roger Aoki
  • Patent number: 8530425
    Abstract: Botulinum toxin, among other presynaptic neurotoxins is used for the treatment and prevention of migraine and other headaches associated with vascular disorders. Presynaptic neurotoxins are delivered focally, targeting the sphenopalatine ganglion. Exemplary delivery is carried out by way of injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew M. Blumenfeld
  • Patent number: 8530171
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of recombinant toxin protein production in bacterial hosts. In particular, the present invention relates to production processes for obtaining high levels of a recombinant CRM197, Diphtheria Toxin, Pertussis Toxin, Tetanus Toxoid Fragment C, Cholera Toxin B, Cholera holotoxin, and Pseudomonas Exotoxin A, from a bacterial host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Pfenex Inc.
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Lawrence Chew, Hongfan Jin, Henry W. Talbot
  • Patent number: 8530626
    Abstract: Methods to produce keratin elastomer, involving: (A)(1) reacting a diisocyanate with a blocking agent to form a diisocyanate with one —NCO group blocked by the blocking agent and one —NCO group unblocked, (2) reacting the diisocyanate with one —NCO group blocked by the blocking agent and one —NCO group unblocked with keratin at about 100° to about 120° C. to form keratin urethane with —NCO group functionality (i.e., with one —NCO group unblocked), (3) optionally reacting the keratin urethane with —NCO group functionality with a compound capable of reacting with the —NCO group; (B) reacting a diisocyanate with keratin to form keratin elastomer; or (C) reacting a monoisocyanate with keratin to form keratin elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Jeanette M. Cardamone
  • Patent number: 8529957
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new plasma or new platelet-rich plasma preparations, new cell dissociation methods, new cell associations or compositions, a method of preparation thereof, a use thereof, devices for the preparation thereof and preparations containing such a platelet-rich plasma preparation and cell associations or compositions. Specifically, the invention provides compositions comprising plasma or platelet-rich plasma alone or in combination with cell preparations for use in tissue regeneration and bone regeneration and pain reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventors: Antoine Turzi, Donald Francois Du Toit
  • Patent number: 8524864
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a conjugate of thyroxine and albumin with higher purity. The present invention provides a method for producing a conjugate of thyroxine and albumin which comprises: step (a) of converting a carboxyl group in thyroxine having a carboxyl group to be linked to albumin into an active ester and allowing the thyroxine to react with albumin, so as to prepare a conjugate of thyroxine and albumin; and step (b) of purifying the conjugate with the use of an acidic mixed aqueous solvent in which the thyroxine having a carboxyl group to be linked to albumin is dissolved but albumin is not precipitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kasagi, Tadahiro Matsuno
  • Patent number: 8518677
    Abstract: A cis- or trans-stilbenoid of the general formula (1): in which each of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is hydrogen or hydroxy, or a glycosylated or oligomeric form thereof, is produced by cultivating a micro-organism producing said stilbenoid, in a multi-phase system comprising at least an aqueous first phase containing said micro-organism and a second phase immiscible with said aqueous phase in which (e.g. as which) said stilbenoid accumulates. The second phase may be said stilbenoid or a free or encapsulated solvent compatible with the growth of the micro-organism, for instance an ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Evolva Sa
    Inventors: Hans Peter Schmidt, Michael Katz, Bo Stenhuus, Jochen Förster
  • Patent number: 8512984
    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 dynorphin 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: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Syntaxin, Ltd., Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Foster, John Chaddock, Charles Penn, Kei Aoki, Joseph Francis, Lance Steward