Patents Examined by Gabriele Bugaisky
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Patent number: 6846804Abstract: A sublancin peptide variant having a Gly-His peptide sequence fused to the C-terminal end of the mature sublancin peptide provides an affinity tag facilitating increased purification of the peptide variant from sample preparations without affecting the intracellular processing of the sublancin peptide variant, expression by a host cell or its biological activity in secreted form. This sublancin variant has specific inhibitory activity for spore outgrowth as for the native sublancin peptide. Production of the sublancin peptide variant on an industrial scale is set forth as are methods of decontaminating spore-infected areas. Methods for generating the peptide variant gene, plasmid and transformant are also described.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park Office of Technology CommercializationInventor: J. Norman Hansen
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Patent number: 6835555Abstract: Disclosed are human interleukin-1 &bgr; converting enzyme like apoptosis proteases-3 and 4 and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides. Also provided are methods of using the polypeptides, for example, as an antitumor agent, and antiviral agent, and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides for example, for treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and head injury. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention for detecting diseases are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2000Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Human Genome Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Wei-Wu He, Craig A. Rosen, Peter L. Hudson, Gregg A. Hastings
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Patent number: 6827931Abstract: Methods for treating endocrine disorders and for inhibiting gametogenesis by intracranial administration to a human patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin type A.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2000Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Allergan, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Donovan
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Patent number: 6825037Abstract: Recombinant transferrin, non-glycosylated recombinant transferrin, transferrin half-molecules and mutant transferrins having altered metal-binding or other properties are described. The recombinant transferrin molecules are expressed in functional form by stable eukaryotic cell lines such as baby hamster kidney cells transformed with an expression vector encoding the recombinant molecule. The recombinant transferrins can be used in metal chelation therapy to bind and clear excess toxic metals in patients suffering from metal overloads or as tissue culture medium supplements or replacements.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1999Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignees: University of Vermont, University of British ColumbiaInventors: Walter D. Funk, Ross T.A. MacGillivray, Anne B. Mason, Robert C. Woodworth
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Patent number: 6821763Abstract: Disclosed are a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises a sequence ranging from serine residue at the second position to proline residue at the 331st position in an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 wherein the N-terminal amino acid of the protein corresponds to serine residue at the second position of SEQ ID No. 1, a DNA encoding the protein, a transformant having the DNA, and a process for producing a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant in a medium. The protein can be produced in a large amount with the transformant using a host such as E. coli.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.Inventors: Keiichi Yokoyama, Nami Nakamura, Tetsuya Miwa, Katsuya Seguro
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Patent number: 6809180Abstract: A method for screening compounds for antimicrobial activity is described that utilizes bacterial protein—protein binding in vitro. The method may be performed using immobilized elements and the immobilization may be carried out using a variety of immobilization means (e.g., columns, beads, adsorbents, nitrocellulose paper, etc.) in order to screen large libraries of compounds.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2001Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Case Western Reserve UniversityInventors: Piet A. J. de Boer, Cynthia A. Hale
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Patent number: 6797808Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed &agr;-conotoxins herein), about 10-30 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignees: University of Utah Research Foundation, Cognetix, Inc.Inventors: Maren Watkins, Baldomero M. Olivera, David R. Hillyard, J. Michael McIntosh, Robert M. Jones
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Patent number: 6780408Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, a B.t. hybrid toxin fragment comprising at its C-terminus domain III of a first Cry protein, or a part of said domain or a protein substantially similar to said domain; and comprising at its N-terminus the N-terminal region of a second Cry protein, or a part of said region or a protein substantially similar to said region.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2000Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Syngenta Participations AGInventors: Hendrik Jan Bosch, Willem Johannes Stiekema
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Patent number: 6767895Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed I-conotoxins herein), about 30-50 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include four disulfide bonds.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignees: Cognetix, Inc., University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Craig S. Walker, Reshma Shetty, Elsie C. Jimenez, J. Michael McIntosh, Baldomero M. Olivera, Maren Watkins, Robert M. Jones, Gregory S. Shen
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Patent number: 6767896Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short conotoxin peptides, about 10-20 residues in length as described herein, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds. These conotoxin peptides have analgesic activity and are thus useful for treating or preventing pain.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignees: Cognetix, Inc., University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: J. Michael McIntosh, Baldomero M. Olivera, Lourdes J. Cruz, Gloria P. Corpuz, Robert M. Jones, James E. Garrett
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Patent number: 6762165Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed O-Superfamily conotoxins herein), about 20-40 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2000Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignees: University of Utah Research Foundation, Cognetix, Inc.Inventors: Baldomero M. Olivera, G. Edward Cartier, Maren Watkins, David R. Hillyard, J. Michael McIntosh, Richard T. Layer, Robert M. Jones
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Patent number: 6756212Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated NIP2b, NIP2cL, and NIP2cS nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel NIP2 family members. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing NIP2b, NIP2cL, and NIP2cS nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a NIP2b, NIP2cL, and NIP2cS gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated NIP2b, NIP2cL, and NIP2cS proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-NIP2b, NIP2cL, and NIP2cS antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1998Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Rory A. J. Curtis, M. Alexandra Glucksmann
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Patent number: 6746858Abstract: This invention provides the murD gene of Streptococcus pyogenes. Purified and isolated MurD recombinant proteins are also provided. Nucleic acid sequences which encode functionally active MurD proteins are described. Assays for the identification of modulators of the expression of murD and inhibitors of the activity of MurD, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2000Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Merck & Co. Inc.Inventors: Mohammed El-Sherbeini, Kenny Kin Wong
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Patent number: 6743424Abstract: A method for treating hypothyroidism by local administration of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a thyroid, thereby reducing an inhibitory effect upon thyroid hormone secretion. A method for treating hyperthyroidism by local administration of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a sympathetic ganglion which innervates the thyroid, thereby reducing a stimulatory effect upon thyroid hormone secretion. Methods for treating calcium metabolism disorders by local administration of a neurotoxin to modulate calcitonin secretion are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2000Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Allergan, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Donovan
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Patent number: 6740321Abstract: A method for treating hypothyroidism by local administration of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a thyroid, thereby reducing an inhibitory effect upon thyroid hormone secretion. A method for treating hyperthyroidism by local administration of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a sympathetic ganglion which innervates the thyroid, thereby reducing a stimulatory effect upon thyroid hormone secretion. Methods for treating calcium metabolism disorders by local administration of a neurotoxin to modulate calcitonin secretion are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2000Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Allergan, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Donovan
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Patent number: 6737273Abstract: Novel Bacillus thuringiensis genes encoding toxins which are active against lepidopteran insects have been cloned from novel lepidopteran-active B. thuringiensis microbes. The DNA encoding the B. thuringiensis toxins can be used to transform various prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes to express the B. thuringiensis toxins. These recombinant microbes can be used to control lepidopteran insects in various environments.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Myocogen CorporationInventors: Jewel Payne, August J. Sick
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Patent number: 6734166Abstract: A method of reducing aluminum concentrations in the central nervous system of a subject (e.g., a patient afflicted with Alzheimer's disease or at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease) comprises administering to subject a PYY receptor agonist in an amount effective to reduce aluminum concentrations, levels or amounts in the central nervous system of the subject. Compositions useful for carrying out the method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2000Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignees: North Carolina State University, MUSC Foundation for Research DevelopmentInventors: Warren J. Croom, Jr., Brian M. Berg, Ian L. Taylor
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Patent number: 6730508Abstract: The invention provides a nitrile hydratase activation protein participating in activation of nitrile hydratase derived from Pseudonocardia thermophila JCM3095, and a gene sequence encoding the same. Further, the invention provides a recombinant plasmid containing the gene, a recombinant plasmid containing the gene and a nitrile hydratase gene, a transformant strain obtained through transformation with the recombinant plasmid, and a process for producing a corresponding amide compound from a nitrile compound using a culture solution and cells obtained by incubating the transformant strain and treated products of the cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1999Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Kiyoshi Ito, Miyuki Tsuruoka, Tadashi Suzuki, Seiya Nikumaru, Takeshi Nakamura
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Patent number: 6730302Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier for the delivery of molecules with biological function into both cellular and nuclear compartments. The carrier disclosed is heat shock protein 70 (“Hsp70”), or a fragment of Hsp70 as described herein, as a vehicle for directed, noninvasive delivery of molecules, such as proteins, peptides, or DNA, that may modulate cellular activity. The present invention also encompasses the use of Hsp70, or a fragment thereof, to modulate cellular activity, preferably to modulate nuclear activity in a cell or cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1999Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb CompanyInventors: Sheri M. Fujihara, Steven G. Nadler
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Patent number: 6727226Abstract: The present invention is to &mgr;-conopeptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated sodium channels. Thus, the &mgr;-conopeptides or derivatives are useful as neuromuscular blocking agents, local anesthetic agents, analgesic agents and neuroprotective agents. The &mgr;-conopeptides are also useful for treating neuromuscular disorders. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the &mgr;-conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignees: University of Utah Research Foundation, Cognetix, Inc.Inventors: Baldomero M. Olivera, J. Michael McIntosh, James E. Garrett, Lourdes J. Cruz, Robert M. Jones, G. Edward Cartier, John D. Wagstaff