Patents Examined by Joseph T. Woitach
  • Patent number: 6197756
    Abstract: Methods for induction of E2F-1 related vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) death to limit vascular stenosis or restenosis, to regress atherosclerotic plaque and to prevent atherogenesis are disclosed. Also disclosed is an adenovirus vector containing the E2F-1 gene, and a method of transferring the gene to a vessel or graft. A method of limiting cell proliferation and/or reducing cell numbers includes transferring the E2F-1 gene into VSMC to achieve overexpression of E2F-1 gene product, which drives vascular cells into S-phase and thereby causes their subsequent death.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Heart Institute
    Inventors: Pierre Zoldhelyi, James T. Willerson
  • Patent number: 6187557
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to novel human cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (c-IAP1/2) comprising a series of defined structural domain repeats and/or a RING finger domain; in particular, at least two of: a particular first domain repeat, a particular second domain repeat, and a particular third domain repeat, and/or a particular RING finger domain. The proteins provide a c-IAP specific function, with preferred proteins being capable of modulating the induction of apoptosis; for example, by binding a human tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor (TRAF). The compositions include nucleic acids which encode the subject c-IAP and hybridization probes and primers capable of hybridizing with the disclosed c-IAP genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Tularik Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Rothe, David V. Goeddel
  • Patent number: 6184436
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic mouse to serve as a small animal model of AIDS which comprises at least a DNA sequence coding for HIV-1 nef or a HIV-1 DNA genome essentially consisting in entire HIV-1 coding sequences under the control of the human CD4 gene promoter flanked by the enhancer of the mouse CD4 gene for expression in T cells and in cells of monocyte/microphage lineage. There is also provided a method to screen for therapeutic agents for the treatment of AIDS, which comprises the steps of: a) administering the therapeutic agent to the mouse of the present invention; and b) determining the effects of the therapeutic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal
    Inventors: Paul Jolicoeur, Zaher Hanna, Denis G. Kay
  • Patent number: 6156888
    Abstract: Hybrid proteins which affect blood coagulation comprise a region from a donor anticoagulant or antithrombotic protein, and the resulting hybrid protein has a modified biological activity. Information concerning the hybrid proteins implicates DNA sequences encoding the proteins and hosts, including transgenic animals, that possess these DNA sequences; antibodies directed against hybrid proteins; methods of modifying the properties of proteins; and treatment methods employing hybrid proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Johannes J. Voorberg