Patents Examined by Herbert J. Lilling
  • Patent number: 7994222
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a fatty acid synthesis related disease comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a PARP inhibitor or metabolite thereof to inhibit fatty acid synthesis, wherein the fatty acid synthesis related disease is obesity, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. The present invention also relates to a method of treating a cancer in a subject comprising: (i) identifying a level of fatty acid in a sample from the subject, and (ii) administering an effective amount of a PARP inhibitor or metabolite thereof to inhibit fatty acid synthesis in the subject, wherein the administration is based on the level of fatty acid, thereby treating the cancer in the subject. The present invention further relates to a method of treating Her-2 related cancers by administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a PARP inhibitor or metabolite thereof to inhibit fatty acid synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: BiPar Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Valeria S. Ossovskaya, Barry M. Sherman
  • Patent number: 7981642
    Abstract: A method of separating a polymer from a biomass containing the polymer, includes contacting the biomass with a solvent system, the solvent system including a solvent for the polymer and a precipitant for the polymer, to provide a residual biomass and a solution that includes the polymer, the solvent for the polymer and the precipitant for the polymer; and applying a centrifugal force to the solution and residual biomass to separate at least some of the solution from the residual biomass; where, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate; the precipitant comprises at least one alkane; the solvent for the polymer is selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and alcohols and combinations thereof; and the biomass comprises a slurry of the biomass and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.
    Inventors: Johan van Walsem, Luhua Zhong, Simon S. Shih
  • Patent number: 7977076
    Abstract: A process for production of biofuels from biomass can include depolymerizing a biomass to form a feed. The feed can be formed by autotrophically growing algal biomass and extracting the feed therefrom. The algal feed can be converted to an algal oil by introducing the algal feed to an oil-producing algae under growth conditions sufficient to encourage formation of algal oil within the oil-producing algae. The algal oil can be extracted from the oil-producing algae and can further be converted to biodiesel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Genifuel Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Oyler
  • Patent number: 7972824
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for increasing the efficiency of anaerobic fermentation processes (1) that produce acetate as a by-product in addition to a desired product, and (2) that can utilize hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide in the fermentation. The method comprises the steps of converting acetate produced by the fermentation process into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas, and utilizing hydrogen gas and/or carbon dioxide gas obtained from the acetate conversion in the anaerobic fermentation process. In particular aspects, the invention relates to processes of producing alcohols, particularly ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster, Matthew Rowe
  • Patent number: 7972808
    Abstract: The present invention describes a protein hydrolysate which is rich in tripeptides whereby the tripeptides are rich in proline at one end of the peptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Luppo Edens, Petrus Jacobus Theodorus Dekker, Andre Leonardus De Roos
  • Patent number: 7968322
    Abstract: The hydrogen fermentation apparatus is the one that generates hydrogen by decomposing organic matter through hydrogen fermentation. There are arranged a hydrogen fermentor which holds the treating liquid containing organic matter, and a string-shape carrier which is positioned to immerse itself in the treating liquid in the hydrogen fermentor, and on which hydrogen-generating bacteria are fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Sapporo Breweries Limited
    Inventors: Ryo Atsumi, Yasuhiro Oki, Taiju Masuda, Yutaka Mitani
  • Patent number: 7968319
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for producing 1,3-propanediol and 2,3-butanediol from raw starch materials, including the following steps: 1) Candida krusei or Hansenula Arabitolgens Fang are inoculated into a fermentation medium with the saccharifying liquid of the raw starches as a carbon source; the yeast cells are cultured on an aerobic condition until glucose-consuming-rate is significantly reduced, and then fermented anaerobically to a glucose concentration from 5 to 10 g/L; the fermentation broth is collected and filtered to remove the yeast cells in the broth, and the resultant filtrate is glycerin fermentation broth; 2) Klebsiella, Clostridium butyricum, or Clostridium pasteurianum are inoculated into a fermentation medium in which the glycerin fermentation broth obtained from step 1) serves as a carbon source; the bacteria are fermented anaerobically for 30-32 hours, and then fermented aerobically when the production rate of 1,3-propanediol decreased obviously, and the fermentation was stopped when
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Dehua Liu, Keke Cheng, Hongjuan Liu, Rihui Lin, Jian Hao
  • Patent number: 7964372
    Abstract: A test strip or electrochemical sensor for measuring the amount of an analyte in a biological fluid, e.g. the glucose content of whole blood, includes a size self-limiting reagent formulation employing an enzyme system for reaction with the analyte, the reactive system mixed into a water-soluble swellable polymer matrix containing small water-insoluble particles having a nominal size of about 0.05 to 20 ?m, preferably about 1 to 10 ?m. The weight ratio of the water-insoluble particles to the water-soluble swellable polymer matrix is about 1/2 to 2/1. The reagent formulation is deposited onto a non-porous substrate to form a thin layer about 6-16 ?m thick, providing a rapid and stable response to application of a sample, while being insensitive to the amount of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventor: Karen L. Marfurt
  • Patent number: 7964379
    Abstract: A process for producing ethanol including a combination of biochemical and synthetic conversions results in high yield ethanol production with concurrent production of high value coproducts. An acetic acid intermediate is produced from carbohydrates, such as corn, using enzymatic milling and fermentation steps, followed by conversion of the acetic acid into ethanol using esterification and hydrogenation reactions. Coproducts can include corn oil, and high protein animal feed containing the biomass produced in the fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: ZeaChem, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Verser, Timothy J. Eggeman
  • Patent number: 7960137
    Abstract: Strains of Lactobacillus which have been selected for their capability of reducing gastrointestinal inflammation, such as that due to Helicobacter pylori, and products derived from these strains, including agents for treatment or prophylaxis of inflammation associated with Helicobacter pylori for administration to humans and include conditioned media in which the selected strains have grown and protein-containing extracts of the conditioned media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Biogala AB
    Inventors: Eamonn Connolly, Bo Mollstam
  • Patent number: 7960153
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the enhanced production of ethanol from fermentation using an ethanol producing microorganism. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the enhanced growth and metabolism of an ethanol producing microorganism (e.g., yeast), for the purpose of increasing or enhancing ethanol production, both in terms of total ethanol produced and in terms of the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products (i.e., ethanol). In accordance with this invention bicarbonate ions are used to enhance ethanol fermentation and/or reduce the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products, i.e., ethanol. The present invention can also be used for enhancing fermentation end products in, for example, the fuel ethanol, industrial, cheese, brewing, and wine making industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin H. Czechowski, Steven A. Bolkan
  • Patent number: 7959913
    Abstract: A skin care product comprising from about 0.001% to about 10% of a retinoid, in combination with 0.0001% to about 50% of a combination of retinoid boosters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart Paton Granger, Ian Richard Scott, Robert Mark Donovan, Susanne Teklits Iobst, Lisa Licameli
  • Patent number: 7947484
    Abstract: A method of producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter may include adding cobalt, iron, and hydrochloric acid to an organic matter; bringing the organic matter in contact with biogas-producing bacteria; and digesting the organic matter under anaerobic conditions in a reactor while producing biogas and a digested sludge. A device for producing biogas may include a reactor being adapted for containing the organic matter in the form of a sludge while the sludge is digested. The device includes a feeding device for adding cobalt, iron, and hydrochloric acid to the organic matter, and an agitator for mixing the added cobalt, iron and hydrochloric acid with the organic matter. An additive, which is adapted for being added to a device for producing biogas by anaerobic digestion, may include cobalt, iron, and hydrochloric acid in an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Tekniska Verken I Linkoping AB
    Inventor: Jörgen Ejlertsson
  • Patent number: 7947306
    Abstract: Methods for hydrolyzing solid ungranulated lysophosphatidylcholine with phospholipase A2 are provided. Also disclosed are methods for making a lipid matrix of lysophosphatidylcholine, monoglyceride and fatty acid, and lipid matrices of particular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: BioMolecular Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Yesair, Walter A. Shaw, Stephen W. Burgess, Robert Travis McKee
  • Patent number: 7947077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a composite material, to a composite material produced according to said method and to the use of said material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Dritte Patentportfolio Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rolf-Dieter Zehbe, Helmut Schubert
  • Patent number: 7943351
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for acyltransferase reaction in which an acyl group of acyl coenzyme A is transferred to an acyl group receptor characterized in that the reaction is carried out by production and/or reproduction of acyl coenzyme A from coenzyme A in a reaction system by a chemical thioester exchange reaction with acylthioester. The present invention, wherein expensive acyl CoA is reproduced nonenzymatically in a reaction system, enables to continuously carry out acyltransferase reaction only by putting a small amount of acyl CoA with a donor and a receptor of an acyl group into a system. Accordingly, the method of the present invention can be applied to an industrial production method of various kinds of compounds including useful biological molecules and synthesis of polymers such as polyester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Motoaki Kamachi, Harumi Kamachi, Hirobumi Aoki, Tomoki Erata, Kenji Tajima
  • Patent number: 7943350
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for degrading a lignocellulosic material, comprising: treating the lignocellulosic material with an effective amount of one or more cellulolytic enzymes in the presence of at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of a secondary alcohol ethoxylate, fatty alcohol ethoxylate, nonylphenol ethoxylate, tridecyl ethoxylate, and polyoxyethylene ether, wherein the presence of the surfactant increases the degradation of lignocellulosic material compared to the absence of the surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Novozymes, Inc.
    Inventors: Elena Vlasenko, Joel Cherry, Feng Xu
  • Patent number: 7939301
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an asymmetric enzymic process for preparing optically active organic compounds. The process according to the invention is carried out in what are termed miniemulsions. The invention also relates to an enzymic reaction mixture which exhibits a miniemulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Gröger, Karlheinz Drauz, Hendrik Hüsken, Katharina Landfester
  • Patent number: 7937850
    Abstract: Dried distiller's solubles is described. Methods for drying condensed distiller's solubles into dried distiller's solubles are presented. The methods may include introducing the condensed distiller's solubles into a drying gas stream and recovering dried distiller's solubles from the drying gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: J. Jireh Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Tate, James A. Rehkopf, David A. Mirko
  • Patent number: 7930782
    Abstract: A tear and fatigue resistant gels, gel composites, and gel articles including collapsible articles having two or more communicating internal volumes like cavities when depressed by external pressure or force is capable of collapsing unto itself in a controllable and directionally preselected manner by venting static air within said internal through openings in said gel article, said gel of said article having rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom suitable for cushioning, cushioning composites, cushioning gel liners, cushioning composite gel liners, and other uses of selected shape gels, gel composites, and articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Elastomerics, Inc.
    Inventor: John Y. Chen