Patents Examined by Jeffrey Stucker
  • Method of diminishing the symptoms of neurodegenerative disease
    Patent number: 7638119
    Abstract: A method of diminishing the symptoms of neurodegenerative disease in a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (a) identifying a patient with a neurodegenerative disease, (b) producing a cell culture, wherein the cell culture comprises cells with induced antioxidant response element (ARE) mediated transcription, and (c) transplanting at least a portion of the cell culture into the brain of the patient, wherein symptoms of neurodegenerative disease are diminished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Johnson, Marcus J. Calkins
  • Secreted and transmembrane polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding the same
    Patent number: 7635478
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Audrey Goddard, Paul J. Godowski, Austin L. Gurney, Victoria Smith, William I. Wood
  • Cell-permeable peptide inhibitors of the JNK signal transduction pathway
    Patent number: 7635681
    Abstract: The invention provides cell-permeable peptides that selectively block the branch of the JNK signaling pathway controlled by the islet-brain (IB) proteins. The provided cell-permeable peptides block the binding of intermediate kinases in the c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, thereby decreasing the downstream effects of c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Xigen SA
    Inventor: Christophe Bonny
  • Methods to facilitate transmission of large molecules across the blood-brain, blood-eye, and blood-nerve barriers
    Patent number: 7629311
    Abstract: A method for delivering a biologic to a human with Alzheimer's-related dementia, comprising administering the biologic parenterally into the perispinal space of the human without direct intrathecal injection, and thereafter positioning the human's head below the horizontal. The method further includes delivering a TNF antagonist to the brain of a human for treating mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's related dementia, or vascular dementia, comprising administering the TNF antagonist golimumab parenterally into the perispinal space of the human without direct intrathecal injection, and thereafter positioning the human in a Trendelenburg position, for delivery of the golimumab to the brain via the human's vertebral venous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventor: Edward Lewis Tobinick
  • Compositions and methods for the systemic treatment of arthritis
    Patent number: 7622110
    Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating arthritic joints found in patients with autoinflammation, e.g., systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, by administering at the site of inflammation a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent that reduces or blocks the bioavailability of interleukin-1?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Baylor Research Institute
    Inventors: Jacques F. Banchereau, Maria Virginia Pascual
  • Anti-human VEGF receptor Flt-1 monoclonal antibody
    Patent number: 7615214
    Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody or peptide which immunologically reacts with human VEGF receptor Flt-1 and cells in which human VEGF receptor Flt-1 is expressed on the cell surface and an antibody or peptide which inhibits binding of human VEGF to human VEGF receptor Flt-1. It also provides a means for the diagnosis or treatment of diseases in which their morbid states progress by abnormal angiogenesis, such as proliferation or metastasis of solid tumors, arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, psoriasis, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenya Shitara, Mikito Ito, Nobuo Hanai, Yoko Kawada, Kazuyasu Nakamura, Masabumi Shibuya
  • Compositions and methods for the systemic treatment of arthritis
    Patent number: 7615212
    Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating arthritic joints found in patients with autoinflammation, e.g., systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, by administering at the site of inflammation a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent that reduces or blocks the bioavailability of interleukin-1?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Baylor Research Institute
    Inventors: Jacques Banchereau, Virginia Pascual
  • Anti-human VEGF receptor Flt-1 monoclonal antibody
    Patent number: 7615215
    Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody or peptide which immunologically reacts with human VEGF receptor Flt-1 and cells in which human VEGF receptor Flt-1 is expressed on the cell surface and an antibody or peptide which inhibits binding of human VEGF to human VEGF receptor Flt-1. It also provides a means for the diagnosis or treatment of diseases in which their morbid states progress by abnormal angiogenesis, such as proliferation or metastasis of solid tumors, arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, psoriasis, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenya Shitara, Mikito Ito, Nobuo Hanai, Yoko Kawada, Kazuyasu Nakamura, Masabumi Shibuya
  • Polynucleotides encoding truncated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor
    Patent number: 7611865
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel proteins, referred to as truncated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (truncated GDNF) proteins, that promote dopamine uptake by dopaminergic cells and promote the survival of nerve cells. Also disclosed are processes for obtaining the truncated GDNF proteins by recombinant genetic engineering techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventor: Shaw-Fen Sylvia Hu
  • Secretion of neublastin
    Patent number: 7601518
    Abstract: The present invention concerns improved methods and compositions for producing a Neublastin polypeptide as well as local delivery of Neublastin to specific regions of the nervous system including the central nervous system and the eye for example by gene therapy. The invention also concerns Neublastin expression constructs which do not encode a pro-region of a Neublastin polypeptide, which expression construct result in increased secretion of bioactive Neublastin. The invention includes the delivery of Neublastin from transduced or transfected cells encapsulated into a macrocapsule with a semipermeable membrane. The invention further concerns mammalian cells capable of producing Neublastin in increased amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: NsGene A/S
    Inventors: Lars U. Wahlberg, Mette Gronborg, Philip Kusk, Jens Tornoe
  • Fully human monoclonal antibodies to IL-13
    Patent number: 7585500
    Abstract: The present invention is related to antibodies directed to IL-13 and uses of such antibodies. For example, in accordance with the present invention, there are provided human monoclonal antibodies directed to IL-13. Isolated polynucleotide sequences encoding, and amino acid sequences comprising, heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules, particularly sequences corresponding to contiguous heavy and light chain sequences spanning the framework regions (FR's) and/or complementarity determining regions (CDR's), are provided. Additionally, methods of using these antibodies to treat patients are also provided. Additionally, IL-13 dependent biomarkers and methods of their identification and use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Foltz, Raffaella Faggioni, Giorgio Senaldi, Kathy Manchulenko, Jaspal S. Kang, Palaniswami Rathanaswami, Kiran Ahluwalia, Orit Foord, Scott Klakamp
  • Method for the identification and/or validation of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors
    Patent number: 7566528
    Abstract: An in vivo method for the identification and/or validation of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors is described. Said method is characterized by the following steps: providing host cells comprising a nucleic acid construct encoding a peptide which comprises a tyrosine kinase domain of a receptor tyrosine kinase wherein said peptide lacks a transmembrane domain or a functional fragment thereof and said tyrosine kinase activity in the cytoplasma leads to proliferation arrest, contacting said host cells with a candidate compound and identification of inhibitors of said tyrosine kinase activity by cultivation of said host cells under suitable conditions such that the modulation of the tyrosine kinase activity by the candidate compound leads to cell growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Esbatech AG
    Inventors: Tea Gunde, Catherine Berset, Alcide Barberis
  • Morphogen-induced nerve regeneration and repair
    Patent number: 7557078
    Abstract: Disclosed are therapeutic treatment methods, compositions and devices for maintaining neural pathways in a mammal, including enhancing survival of neurons at risk of dying, inducing cellular repair of damaged neurons and neural pathways, and stimulating neurons to maintain their differentiated phenotype. In one embodiment, the invention provides means for stimulating CAM expression in neurons. The invention also provides means for evaluating the status of nerve tissue, including means for detecting and monitoring neuropathies in a mammal. The methods, devices and compositions include a morphogen or morphogen-stimulating agent provided to the mammal in a therapeutically effective concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Rueger, Thangavel Kuberasampath, Hermann Oppermann, Engin Ozkaynak, Roy H. L. Pang, Charles M. Cohen
  • Molecules for transporting a compound across the blood-brain barrier
    Patent number: 7557182
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the field of drug delivery. More particularly, the invention relates to polypeptide derived from aprotinin and from aprotinin analogs as well as conjugates and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these polypeptides. The present invention also relates to the use of these polypeptide for transporting a compound or drug across the blood-brain barrier of an individual and in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Angiochem Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Beliveau, Michel Demeule, Christian Che, Anthony Regina
  • TRPV1 sensory neurons control of ?-cells stress and islet inflammation in diabetes
    Patent number: 7544365
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for controlling inflammatory tissue access through release of neuropeptides, such as substance P (sP), to insulin-responsive sensory neurons, whereby simultaneous control of insulin sensitivity/resistance is manifested. In models of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, sensory afferents, in particular TRPV1, have fundamental roles in insulin/glucose homeostasis, islet physiology and autoimmune tissue inflammation. By manipulation of the TRPV1 neuro-?-cell circuit or enhancement of pancreatic sP levels, normalization of insulin resistance, clearance of inflammation and prevention of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: The Hospital for Sick Children
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Dosch, Lan Tang, Yin Chan, Michael Salter
  • Glial mitogenic factors, their preparation and use
    Patent number: 7541338
    Abstract: Disclosed is the characterization and purification of DNA encoding a numerous polypeptides useful for the stimulation of glial cell (particularly, Schwann cell) mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Also disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel polypeptides which may have use in stimulating glial cell mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Methods for the synthesis, purification and testing of both known and novel polypeptides for their use as both therapeutic and diagnostic aids in the treatment of diseases involving glial cells are also provided. Methods are also provided for the use of these polypeptides for the preparation of antibody probes useful for both diagnostic and therapeutic use in diseases involving glial cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignees: Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
    Inventors: Andrew Goodearl, Paul Stroobant, Luisa Minghetti, Michael Waterfield, Mark Marchioni, Mario Su Chen, Ian Hiles
  • Pantropic neurothrophic factors
    Patent number: 7528233
    Abstract: Pantropic neurotrophic factors which have multiple neurotrophic specificities are provided. The pantropic neurotrophic factors of the present invention are useful in the treatment of neuronal disorders. Nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding the pantropic neurotrophins are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman Urfer, Leonard G. Presta, John W. Winslow
  • Human brain carboxypeptidase B antibodies
    Patent number: 7524934
    Abstract: A novel carboxypeptidase and the encoding gene thereof were successfully identified by screening a human hippocampus extract using brain-APP-cleaving activity as an index. Antibodies against the protein were also prepared. The antibodies are useful in, for example purifying the protein, or examining and diagnosing diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, which cause accumulation of A? in the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Akira Matsumoto
  • Methods for inhibition of membrane-fusion-associated events, including Hepatitis B virus transmission
    Patent number: 7514397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides which exhibit potent anti-viral activity. In particular, the invention relates to methods of using such peptides as inhibitory of hepatitis B virus (“HepB”) transmission to uninfected cells. The peptides used in the methods of the invention are homologs of the DP-178 and DP-107 peptides, peptides corresponding to amino acid residues 638 to 673, and to amino acid residues 558 to 595, respectively, of the HIV-1LAI transmembrane protein (TM) gp41.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Trimeris, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn O'Lin Barney, Dennis Michael Lambert, Stephen Robert Petteway
  • Antibodies that specifically bind to neurokinin B
    Patent number: 7514079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that specifically bind to neurokinin B. Such antibodies have uses, for example, in the prevention and treatment of cancer as well as immune system diseases and disorders including pre-eclampsia, hypertension, inflammation, asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety, depression, addiction, or pain. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding anti-neurokinin B antibodies, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acids, and methods for producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Rosen, Steven M. Ruben