Patents Examined by Dian C. Jacobson
  • Variant-type carbohydrate hydrolase, variant gene of the enzyme and method for producing oligosaccharide using the enzyme
    Patent number: 5631149
    Abstract: There is disclosed a variant-type carbohydrate hydrolase that has been increased transglycosylation activity by substituting another amino acid residue for the tyrosine residue that is present in the active center of the hydrolase, which hydrolase is an amylase or an enzyme analogous to amylase; a gene or a DNA sequence of the carbohydrate hydrolase with mutation introduced into the base sequence that encodes the tyrosine residue; and a vector or a transformant which comprises the DNA sequence. There is also disclosed a method for producing a variety of oligosaccharides and the like by using the variant-type carbohydrate hydrolase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Director-General Of Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Ikuo Matsui, Kazuhiko Ishikawa, Sachio Miyairi, Koichi Honda
  • cDNA probes and antibodies for human methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase
    Patent number: 5631131
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cDNA probe for the detection of the mRNA for human methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase, which comprises the nucleic acid sequence as shown in FIG. 6 or any functional analogs thereof wherein the hybridization of the probe and the mRNA for human methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase is substantially preserved. The present invention also relates to a polyclonal antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof for the detection of the mRNA for human methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase, wherein said antibody is raised against a protein segment aa.sup.100-112 H-Phe-Asp-Lys-His-Gly-Asn-Arg-Leu-Gly-Lys-OH of human methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Universite De Montreal
    Inventors: Jacques Jolivet, Alain Dayan
  • Vibrio cholerae strain CVD103Hg.sup.r, method of making same, and vaccines derived therefrom
    Patent number: 5628994
    Abstract: Method of isolating deletion mutants of Vibrio cholerae, wherein the deletion is predetermined by digestion with restriction endonucleases of known specificity. The deletions are inserted into the Vibrio cholerae chromosome by in vivo recombination between a plasmid carrying the desired deletion, with adjacent flanking sequences, and the Vibrio cholerae chromosome. The invention includes the isolation and characterization of a new Vibrio cholerae strain, CVD103Hg (ATTC No. 55,456), having a deletion in the tox gene, as defined by Acc I, Xba I, Cla I and/or restriction endonuclease sites, and carrying a mercury resistance gene. The invention also includes vaccines for protecting against the symptoms of cholera as well as methods for achieving this protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: The University of Maryland
    Inventors: James B. Kaper, Myron M. Levine
  • Use of intra-platelet urokinase-type plasminogen activators for long-term inhibition of thrombosis
    Patent number: 5626841
    Abstract: A method of adjunctive therapy to inhibit reocclusions in a patient, e.g., after thrombolytic therapy or angioplasty, by administering to the patient a bolus of an amount of purified pro-urokinase ("pro-UK") that inhibits the formation of occlusive thrombi without inducing a systemic effect in the patient, the pro-UK is administered after the completion of the thrombolytic treatment and periodically thereafter for the duration of therapy, and becomes incorporated into the outer membrane of the platelets of the patient, thereby increasing the T.sub. 1/2 of the pro-UK in plasma, which is about 7 to 8 minutes, to about 4 to 5 days, and inhibiting reocclusion without inducing a systemic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Victor Gurewich
  • Nucleic acid sequences encoding dendroides antifreeze proteins
    Patent number: 5627051
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding Dendroides canadensis thermal hysteresis proteins. The THPs of Dendroides have significantly greater thermal hysteresis activity than any other known anti-freeze protein. The thermal hysteresis activity of the purified THPs can be further enhanced by combining the THPs with various "activating" compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: University of Notre Dame du Lac
    Inventor: John G. Duman
  • Fermentation method for producing norleucine
    Patent number: 5622845
    Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive fermentation medium for growing microorganisms. Also provided are fermentation media and methods for producing norleucine by growing E. coli thereon, fermentation media and methods for incorporating norleucine into polypeptides expressed by microorganisms grown thereon, and fermentation media and methods for preventing the incorporation of norleucine into polypeptides expressed by microorganisms grown thereon. Also provided are bovine somatotropin analogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: David P. Brunner, Gary C. Harbour, Richard J. Kirschner, James F. Pinner, Robert L. Garlick
  • Protease deletion
    Patent number: 5620880
    Abstract: A Bacillus cell contains a mutation in the epr gene resulting in inhibition of the production by the cell of the proteolytically active epr gene product; the cell may further contain mutations in the genes encoding proteolytically active residual protease I (RP-I) and proteolytically active residual protease II (RP-II).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Omnigene, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Sloma, Gerald A. Rufo, Jr., Cathy F. Rudolph, Barbara J. Sullivan, Janice Pero
  • Methods for producing protein C
    Patent number: 5618714
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing high levels of functional recombinant proteins in adenovirus-transformed mammalian cells by incubating cells capable of producing recombinant proteins at a temperature range between about 38 degrees centigrade and about 39 degrees centigrade. The method allows for higher levels of expression of total protein in some cell lines and higher levels of functional protein in other cell lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventor: Brian W. Grinnell
  • Functional human factor VIII
    Patent number: 5618789
    Abstract: Functional human factor VIII produced recombinantly is used in the treatment of human beings diagnosed to be deficient in factor VIII coagulant activity. Also provided are DNA isolates and expression vehicles encoding functional human factor VIII, as well as transformed host cells and processes for producing human factor VIII by use of recombinant DNA technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Capon, Richard M. Lawn, Gordon A. Vehar, William I. Wood
  • Preparation of functional human factor VIII and pharmaceutical treatment therewith
    Patent number: 5618788
    Abstract: Functional human factor VIII produced recombinantly is used in the treatment of human beings diagnosed to be deficient in factor VIII coagulant activity. Also provided are DNA isolates and expression vehicles encoding functional human factor VIII, as well as transformed host cells and processes for producing human factor VIII by use of recombinant DNA technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Capon, Richard M. Lawn, Gordon A. Vehar, William I. Wood
  • Tissue plasminogen activator having zymogenic or fibrin specific properties
    Patent number: 5616486
    Abstract: Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) zymogens and variants are prepared, including a fibrinolytically active variant of t-PA that has an amino acid alteration at a site within the protease domain of t-PA as compared with the corresponding wild-type t-PA, which alteration renders the variant zymogenic in the presence of plasmin-degraded fibrinogen, and/or fibrin (or plasma clot) specific, as compared to the corresponding wild-type t-PA. DNA sequences can be prepared that encode the zymogens and variants, as well as expression vectors incorporating the DNA sequences, and host cells transformed with the expression vectors. The zymogens and variants may be used in a pharmaceutical preparation to treat a vascular disease or condition or to prevent fibrin deposition or adhesion formation or reformation in mammals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Anderson, William F. Bennett, David Botstein, Deborah L. Higgins, Nicholas F. Paoni, Mark J. Zoller
  • Trichohyalin and transglutaminase-3 and methods of using same
    Patent number: 5616500
    Abstract: The sequences of a pair of human proteins, trichohyalin and transglutaminase-3, in addition to the sequence of the mouse transglutaminase-3 protein, have been discovered. The enzyme transglutaminase-3 is used to cross-link the structural protein trichohyalin in order to form a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health & Human Services
    Inventors: Peter M. Steinert, In-Gyu Kim, Soo-Il Chung, Sang-chul Park
  • Kainate-binding human CNS receptors of the EAA1 family
    Patent number: 5616481
    Abstract: Neurotransmission by excitatory amino acids (EAAs) such as glutamate is mediated via membrane-bound surface receptors. DNA coding for one family of these receptors, of the kainate binding type of EAA receptors, has now been isolated and the receptor protein characterized. Herein described are recombinant cell lines which produce the EAA receptor as a heterologous membrane-bound product. Also described are related aspects of the invention, which are of commercial significance. Included is use of the cell lines as a tool for discovery of compounds which modulate EAA receptor stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Allelix Biopharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventors: Rajender Kamboj, Stephen L. Nutt, Lee Shekter, Michael A. Wosnick
  • Tissue plasminogen activator having zymogenic or fibrin specific properties
    Patent number: 5614190
    Abstract: Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) zymogens and variants are prepared, including a fibrinolytically active variant of t-PA that has an amino acid alteration at a site within the protease domain of t-PA as compared with the corresponding wild-type t-PA, which alteration renders the variant zymogenic in the presence of plasmin-degraded fibrinogen, and/or fibrin (or plasma clot) specific, as compared to the corresponding wild-type t-PA. DNA sequences can be prepared that encode the zymogens and variants, as well as expression vectors incorporating the DNA sequences, and host cells transformed with the expression vectors. The zymogens and variants may be used in a pharmaceutical preparation to treat a vascular disease or condition or to prevent fibrin deposition or adhesion formation or reformation in mammals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Anderson, William F. Bennett, David Botstein, Deborah L. Higgins, Nicholas F. Paoni, Mark J. Zoller
  • Kainate-binding human CNS receptors of the EAA2 family
    Patent number: 5614406
    Abstract: Neurotransmission by excitatory amino acids (EAAs) such as glutamate is mediated via membrane-bound surface receptors. DNA coding for one family of these receptors, of the kainate binding type of EAA receptors, has now been isolated and the receptor protein characterized. Herein described are recombinant cell lines which produce the EAA receptor as a heterologous membrane-bound product. Also described are related aspects of the invention, which are of commercial significance. Included is use of the cell lines as a tool for discovery of compounds which modulate EAA receptor stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Allelix Biopharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventors: Rajender Kamboj, Stephen L. Nutt, Lee Shekter, Michael A. Wosnick
  • Ascorbate oxidase, gene encoding the same, process for producing the same, and reagent composition using the same
    Patent number: 5612208
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ascorbate oxidase (ASOD) which catalyzes oxidation reaction of L-ascorbic acid with molecular oxygen to form L-dehydroascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide, a process for producing the ascorbate oxidase comprising using a microorganism belonging to the genus Eupenicillium, a gene encoding ASOD, a transformant containing such a gene, a process for producing ASOD using such a transformant, and a reagent composition comprising ASOD, such as a reagent composition for examination, a food additive, and a reagent composition in the fields of food and clinical examination. The ascorbate oxidase has excellent stability particularly in a liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Amano Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Nakanishi, Hitoshi Amano, Shotaro Yamaguchi
  • Tissue plasminogen activator glycosylation variants with improved therapeutic properties
    Patent number: 5612029
    Abstract: The invention concerns tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) variants which are glycosylated at any of positions 103-105, and are devoid of functional carbohydrate structure at position 117 of wild-type human t-PA amino acid sequence. The variants have extended circulatory half-life and substantially retained fibrin binding, or improved in vivo fibrinolytic potency, as compared to wild-type human t-PA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Bennett, Bruce A. Keyt, Nicholas F. Paoni
  • Methods of producing effective recombinant serine protease inhibitors and uses of these inhibitors
    Patent number: 5612194
    Abstract: A method of producing a recombinant serine protease inhibitor capable of effectively modulating serine protease activity is provided. Compositions capable of modulating serine protease activity and use of such compositions to regulate inflammatory processes in cells are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Harvey Rubin, Barry Cooperman, Norman Schechter, Michael Plotnick, Zhi M. Wang
  • Process for producing a coagulation active complex of factor VIII fragments
    Patent number: 5610278
    Abstract: A coagulation active complex of Factor VIII fragments is produced by causing coagulation inactive FVIII heavy chain to react with coagulation inactive FVIII light chain in the presence of a complex forming agent. Thus, FVIII-HC and FVIII-LC are converted to coagulation active FVIII complex in the presence of divalent metal ions, such as Mn.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+ or C.sup.2+, or a component of the pro-thrombin complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Ole Nordfang, Mirella E. Rasmussen
  • Synthetic antimicrobial peptides
    Patent number: 5607914
    Abstract: Synthetic polypeptides exhibiting amphipathic alpha-helices provide cell-expressible antimicrobial activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Gururaj Rao, Lingxiu Zhong