Patents Examined by F. Pierre Vandervegt
  • Patent number: 7381413
    Abstract: The invention involves methods of regulating cell growth and division to control disease processes by manipulating mitochondrial metabolism and the expression of cell surface immune proteins. The invention also involves related compositions and screening assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
    Inventor: Martha Karen Newell
  • Patent number: 7378094
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an immune complex composition, and a method of using that complex to enhance an in viva immune response against a preselected target antigen. The immune complexes of the present invention comprise a monoclonal antibody specific for binding to complement receptor (CR2) site on B lymphocytes linked to a target antigen. As shown in FIG. SA-SD immune complexes bound to monkey B cells are removed in concert with loss of CR2. FIGS. SA and SB demonstrate the % A1488 HB135 and % APhCy CD21 positive cells, out of the doubly positive FE CD20/PerCF CD45 population over time, after injection of A1488 labeled HB135 (an anti-CR2 antibody, administration indicated by first arrow) followed by injection of rabbit anti-mouse IgG (administration indicated by the second arrow). FIGS. SC and SD are plots of the molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochome (MESF) values for these populations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Ronald P. Taylor, Margaret A. Lindorfer, William M. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7378505
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting, quantifying and high throughput screening of donor-products and the catalytic activities generating the donor-products in group-transfer reactions catalyzed by adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) or guanine triphosphatase (GTPase). The invention further provides immunoassays, antibodies and kits that may be used to practice the methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: BellBrook Labs LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lowery, Karen Kleman-Leyer, Matt Staeben, Thane Westermeyer
  • Patent number: 7374892
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of iron overload diseases and iron deficiency diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignees: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: John N. Feder, Pamela J. Bjorkman, Randall C. Schatzman
  • Patent number: 7371387
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for modulating immune responses in subjects. The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that an in-frame translation fusion of an antigen with an APC binding domain of an opsonin forms a molecule, that is, a fusion polypeptide, which when administered to a subject modulates an immune response to the antigen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Genitrix LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Segal
  • Patent number: 7371845
    Abstract: The invention describes HLA class II binding peptides encoded by the MAGE-A3 tumor associated gene, as well as nucleic acids encoding such peptides and antibodies relating thereto. The peptides stimulate the activity and proliferation of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Methods and products also are provided for diagnosing and treating conditions characterized by expression of the MAGE-A3 gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
    Inventors: Yi Zhang, Pascal Chaux, Thierry Boon-Falleur, Pierre Van Der Bruggen
  • Patent number: 7361339
    Abstract: Methods of reducing mortality in myocardial infarction patients receiving a stent in connection with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty include administering an anti-inflammatory compound to the patient. In one embodiment, the anti-inflammatory compound is an antibody to a complement component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Bell
  • Patent number: 7358087
    Abstract: Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand linked to an immunogen. In particular, these molecular adjuvants are employed in compositions designed to deliver the specific immunogen to antigen presenting cells and simultaneously deliver signals to those cells that produce the desired immune response. Methods are also disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Board of Regents of The University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Sam D. Sanderson, Michael A. Hollingsworth, Richard A. Tempero
  • Patent number: 7355010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting, quantifying and high throughput screening of donor-products and the catalytic activities generating the donor-products in group-transfer reactions. The invention further provides immunoassays, antibodies and kits that may be used to practice the methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: BellBrook Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lowery, Karen Kleman-Leyer, Matt Staeben, Thane Westermeyer
  • Patent number: 7355017
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing antibody mediated graft rejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Absorber AB
    Inventors: Jonas Lofling, Jan Holgersson
  • Patent number: 7351435
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine comprising deglycosylated ricin toxin A-chain and method for making and using the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Robert W. Wannemacher, John F. Hewetson
  • Patent number: 7351524
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating, preventing and diagnosing macular degeneration-related disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory S. Hageman, Robert F. Mullins
  • Patent number: 7335724
    Abstract: The invention relates to a peptide derived from an antigen recognized by autoantibodies, which peptide is reactive with autoimmune antibodies from a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The peptide according to the invention possesses a modified arginine residue. The invention also relates to antibodies against the peptide and a method of detecting autoimmune antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Stichting Voor de Technische Wetenschappen
    Inventors: Waltherus Jacobus Wilhelmus Van Venrooij, Gerardus Antonius Schellekens, Jozef Maria Hendrik Raats, Rene Michael Antonius Hoet
  • Patent number: 7326767
    Abstract: A peptide comprising the amino acid sequence RMFPNAPYL (SEQ ID NO:1) or a portion or variant thereof provided that the peptide is not intact human WT-1 polypeptide or a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence CMTWNQMNL (SEQ ID NO:2) or a portion or variant thereof provided that the peptide is not intact human WT-1 polypeptide or a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence HLMPFPGPLL (SEQ ID NO:3) or a portion or variant thereof provided that the peptide is not intact human gata-1 polypeptide, and polynucleotides encoding these peptides. The peptides and polynucleotides are useful as cancer vaccines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ganymed Pharmaceuticals, AG
    Inventors: Hans Josef Stauss, Liquan Gao
  • Patent number: 7320873
    Abstract: The invention describes a method to diagnose the autoimmune disease activity by detecting the presence of an autoimmune specific MHC-peptide complex in a patient suffering from an autoimmune disease. The MHC-peptide complex is associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Monoclonals antibodies to be used for this method are also described. The antibodies can also be used for therapeutic purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: N.V. Organon
    Inventor: Petrus Gerardus Antonius Steenbakkers
  • Patent number: 7319143
    Abstract: The invention provides DNA molecules encoding a chimeric polypeptide comprising (a) a component of a MHC molecule capable of association on a cell surface with an endogenous MHC molecule component of the same class, and (b) an intracellular region of a signal transduction element capable of activating T cells. Component (a) may be a monomorphic component and is preferably beta 2-microglobulin, or a polymorphic class I or class II component. The signal transduction element (b) capable of activating T cells may be a component of T-cell receptor CD3, preferably the CD3 zeta (zeta) polypeptide, a B cell receptor polypeptide or an Fc receptor polypeptide. Immune cells such as a CTLs expressing said chimeric MHC molecules specifically eliminate or inactivate harmful T cells and are useful for treating graft rejection and autoimmune diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Gavish-Galilee Bio Application Ltd.
    Inventors: Gideon Gross, Alon Margalit
  • Patent number: 7294477
    Abstract: The present invention is related to novel nucleoli sequences encoding a louse allergen and a methods for diagnosing, treating and preventing lice infestation and associated allergic disease with the nucleoli sequences and protein allergen of the invention. The present invention also relates to kits for diagnostic assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ovita Limited
    Inventors: Alexander Terrance Pfeffer, Charles Bix Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 7288634
    Abstract: The invention relates to a peptide derived from an antigen recognized by autoantibodies, which peptide is reactive with autoimmune antibodies from a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The peptide according to the invention possesses a modified arginine residue. The invention also relates to antibodies against the peptide and a method of detecting autoimmune antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Stichting Voor De Technische Wetenschappen
    Inventors: Waltherus J. W. Van Venrooij, Gerardus Antonius Schellekens, Jozef M. H. Raats, Rene M. A. Hoet
  • Patent number: 7285524
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention of alloimmunization of a subject or the immunosuppression of a response elicited by alloimmunization of a subject or an autoimmune haemolytic disease for said composition comprising an immunologically effective epitope of a rhesus protein or an immunologically active analogue or derivative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignees: Aberdeen University, Commom Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service
    Inventors: Stanislaw Joseph Urbaniak, Robert Norman Barker
  • Patent number: 7285525
    Abstract: Methods and products for suppressing a class II MHC-restricted immune response in a mammal, or in mammalian cells, are described. The methods depend upon inhibiting invariant chain proteolysis by cathepsin S from class II MHC/invariant chain complexes, thereby reducing the competency of class II MHC molecules for binding antigenic peptides, reducing presentation of antigenic peptides by class II MHC molecules, and suppressing immune responses. The methods may be employed in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, and organ or tissue graft rejection. Pharmaceutical and therapeutic compositions which are peptide-based inhibitors of cathepsin S are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brigham & Women's Hospital Inc.
    Inventors: Hidde L. Ploegh, Harold A. Chapman, Richard J. Riese, Paula R. Bryant, Matthew S. Bogyo