Patents Examined by Leon B. Lankford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6998264
    Abstract: Biological tissues are grown in a low shear, microgravity environment by culturing connective tissue cells to form a three-dimensional structure, which is thereafter co-cultured with endothelial and epithelial cells to replicate naturally occurring tissues. Preferably, the three-dimensional connective tissue cells are first cultured with endothelial cells to form three-dimensional structures of connective tissue cells and endothelial cells, which are thereafter co-cultured with epithelial cells to replicate naturally occurring tissue. The cultured tissue is in the general shape of spheroids having a diameter between about 0.1 mm and about 5 m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Huntington Medical Research Institutes
    Inventor: Marylou Ingram
  • Patent number: 6991800
    Abstract: Parenteral pharmaceutical formulations containing an echinocandin antifungal compound and an aqueous solvent are provided, wherein the formulation includes ethanol, for example about 20% w/v ethanol. The parenteral pharmaceutical formulation may further include one or more additives, such as a stabilizing agent, buffer or tonicity agent. The parenteral pharmaceutical formulations are useful in extending the shelf life and improving the solubility of the echinocandin antifungal compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Vicuron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Stogniew
  • Patent number: 6989271
    Abstract: There is provided a method of inducing bone marrow stromal cells to differentiate into bone marrow stromal cell-derived Schwann cells in vitro, comprising the steps of: collecting bone marrow stromal cells from bone marrow and culturing the cells in a standard essential culture medium supplemented with a serum; adding a reducing agent to the culture medium and further culturing the cells; adding a differentiation inducing agent to the culture medium and further culturing the cells; and adding a cyclic AMP-augmenting agent or a cyclic AMP analogue and/or a glial cell differentiation and survival stimulating factor to the culture medium, and further culturing the cells to obtain the bone marrow stromal cell-derived Schwann cells. There are also provided bone marrow stromal cell-derived Schwann cells obtained thereby and a pharmaceutical composition for neural regeneration that comprises them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sanbio, Inc.
    Inventors: Mari Dezawa, Hajime Sawada, Masahiko Takano
  • Patent number: 6987024
    Abstract: The invention discloses a substantially pure population of human ovarian mesothelial cells and methods of isolating and culturing the ovarian mesothelial cells. By carefully manipulating the microenvironment of the ovarian mesothelial cells, multiple passages are attainable wherein the ovarian mesothelial cells are capable of becoming ovary surface epithelial cells or granulosa cells. In addition, several methods of use of human ovarian mesothelial cells are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Raven Biotechnologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rong-hao Li, Laura Bald, Jennie Powell Mather
  • Patent number: 6982158
    Abstract: A process for purifying a phosphodiesterase 1 (PDE-1) from a cell including heating an extract of a cell formed from a solution including at least one divalent cation, to increase the specific activity of PDE-1 in the extract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Protech Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Michael Patane
  • Patent number: 6977072
    Abstract: A method for overcoming mild to moderate immune suppression includes the steps of inducing production of naïve T-cells and restoring T-cell immunity. A method of vaccine immunotherapy includes the steps of inducing production of naïve T-cells and exposing the naïve T-cells to endogenous or exogenous antigens at an appropriate site. Additionally, a method for unblocking immunization at a regional lymph node includes the steps of promoting differentiation and maturation of immature dendritic cells at a regional lymph node and allowing presentation of processed peptides by resulting mature dendritic cells, thus, for example, exposing tumor peptides to T-cells to gain immunization of the T-cells. Further, a method of treating cancer and other persistent lesions includes the steps of administering an effective amount of a natural cytokine mixture as an adjuvant to endogenous or exogenous administered antigen to the cancer or other persistent lesions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: IRx Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Hadden
  • Patent number: 6974834
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched (1S,4R) 1-acetoxy-4-hydroxycyclopent-2-ene of Formula I, a compound useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of prostaglandins and prostanoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Agouron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Edward Henegar
  • Patent number: 6969532
    Abstract: A new chemical compound for treating human inflammatory diseases, tissue damage, stroke, septic shock and cancer. This chemical compound is produced from a process including the following steps: (a) washing human foreskin fibroblasts with a fresh DMEM medium then incubated in a fresh medium containing 2.5%-10% fetal bovine serum for at least 8 hours to form a proliferating phase medium (PPM); (b) subjecting the proliferating phase medium to a 10-kDa ultrafiltration membrane to separate the proliferating phase medium into a <10 kDa fraction, which passes through the 10-kDa ultrafiltration membrane, and a >10 kDa fraction, which is retained by the 10-kDa ultrafiltration membrane; (c) Chromatographing the <10 kDa fraction on a Superdex 30 column by FPLC to separate the <10 kDa fraction into five post-FPLC fractions; (d) Injecting the second post-FPLC fraction into a C18 column in a HPLC system with a gradient elute from 10% to 50% acetonitrile and water containing 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Wu
  • Patent number: 6962718
    Abstract: Various compositions containing transfer factor in combination with nutraceuticals are provided including transfer factor in combination with zinc and essential fatty acids and transfer factor in combination with lactic acid generating bacteria. Also provided are methods for treating animal diseases and syndromes using these compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Joseph C. Ramaekers
  • Patent number: 6955814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for arresting, protecting and/or preserving an organ which includes administering effective amounts of (I) a potassium channel opener or agonist and/or an adenosine receptor agonist and (II) local anaesthetic to a subject in need thereof. The present invention also relates to a method for arresting, protecting and/or preserving an organ which comprises adding a composition which includes effective amounts of (I) a potassium channel opener or agonist and/or an adenosine receptor agonist and (II) a local anaesthetic to the organ. The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical or veterinary composition which includes effective amounts of (I) a potassium channel opener or agonist and/or an adenosine receptor agonist and (II) a local anaesthetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Global Cardiac Solutions PTY Ltd.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Phillip Dobson
  • Patent number: 6953692
    Abstract: A device and method for seed-train expansion of a source of mammalian cells and their use in production of proteins expressed by the cells comprising the use of a dedicated inoculation bioreactor for expanding the cells prior to the transfer to a production bioreactor is disclosed. The novel inoculation bioreactor is designed to facilitate an improved method of mammalian cell seed-train expansion, and is distinguished by the presence of an “inoculation well” which communicates with the interior of the bioreactor and which facilitates the growth of mammalian cells for commercial seed-train expansion. The method comprises adding the cryopreserved cells to media within the inoculation well of the inoculation bioreactor, enabling the cells to grow to a predetermined concentration within the inoculation well by monitoring and adjusting the condition of the media and environment, and thereafter incrementally increasing the volume of the media within the reactor so that optimal cell growth is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation
    Inventors: Rudiger Heidemann, Mokhtar Mered, James D. Michaels, Konstantin Konstantinov
  • Patent number: 6953571
    Abstract: A cosmetic-pharmaceutical composition for topical use against human alopecia containing a pool of enzymes of the specific hydroxisteroido-dehydrogenase group in the presence of nicotinamido-adenine-dinucleotide coenzyme and a vasodilator, the whole being complexed with phospholipids in solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Farmaka s.r.l.
    Inventor: Ugo Raffaello Citernesi
  • Patent number: 6951658
    Abstract: The invention is a method and supplement for treatment of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, depression, and combination thereof, comprising: from about 20 wt % to about 70 wt % emu oil, wherein the emu oil further comprises from about 1 wt % to about 12 wt % linolenic acid; from about 5 wt % to about 30 wt % l-arginine; from about 5 wt % to about 30 wt % pyroglutamate; from about 0.5. wt % to about 20 wt % B-12 methylcobalamin; and from about 0.5 wt % to about 20 wt % calcium, wherein the supplement is adapted for crossing a blood brain barrier, and for fortification of phospholipids in neurotransmitters of a brain to increase cell proliferation for treatment of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, depression, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Pearson Research & Development Limited
    Inventors: Maurine Pearson, Teresa Leigh Barr
  • Patent number: 6949381
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved continuous (immortalized) cell lines, in particular keratinocytes and melanocytes derived from normal human skin tissue. The present invention also relates to novel serum-free media for isolating, producing and maintaining said improved continuous keratinocyte and melanocyte cell lines. The present invention also relates to methods for producing primary melanocytes and keratinocytes under serum-free conditions without any feeder cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Markus Baur, Catherine Mace, Armand Malnoe, Andrea M. A. Pfeifer, Marcelle Regnier
  • Patent number: 6946290
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method, permitting the semiquantitative determination of the confluence of a cell layer on the total surface of a porous biomaterial, without irreversible damage to part or indeed all of the hybrid construct. A method is described for the first time, which is able to detect the formation of the confluence or the confluence itself, without destroying the hybrid construct, and thus permits the finished hybrid product to be withdrawn from the essential growth conditions only after the determination of the completed confluence, and to immediately direct it to its further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: VasoTissue Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Manrico Paulitschke, Axel Koepenik
  • Patent number: 6943023
    Abstract: A novel cell culture medium suitable for primary culture of insect cells, an insect-derived water-soluble chitin, and a process of preparing an insect culture cell line in a short period of time by using the insect primary culture medium and the insect-derived water-soluble chitin. The insect cell primary culture medium comprises lactalbumin hydrolysate, yeastolate, and tryptose phosphate broth as protein extracts, and polyvinylpyrrolidone as a viscosity-supplementing agent. The insect-derived water-soluble chitin is subjected to deacetylation as the sole chemical modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
    Inventors: Shigeo Imanishi, Atsunobu Haga, Jun Mitsuhashi
  • Patent number: 6939685
    Abstract: Stabilized tetrazolium dye-phenazine reagent compositions and methods for their use in the measurement of an analyte in a sample are provided. The subject reagent compositions include: (1) a tetrazolium dye component, e.g., a water soluble tetrazolium salt; (2) a phenazine component; and (3) an effective amount of one or more tetrazolium dye-phenazine stabilizing reagents, e.g., an inorganic Group IIIA compound and/or a flavin. In many embodiments, the subject reagent compositions include additional members of an analyte oxidizing signal producing system, such as: an analyte oxidizing enzyme, e.g., an analyte dehydrogenase or an analyte oxidase; and an enzyme cofactor. Also provided are test strips that include the subject reagent compositions, as well as systems and kits incorporating the subject test strips. The subject reagent compositions, test strips, systems and kits find use in the detection of a wide variety of analytes in a sample, such as a physiological sample, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Lifescan, Inc.
    Inventors: Tianmei Ouyang, Paing Huang, Xiaoling Zheng
  • Patent number: 6933144
    Abstract: A cell-culture apparatus forms an extra-capillary space between at least one hollow fiber and an enclosed chamber. Cells are placed in the extra-capillary space to grow. A media reservoir holds a cell-culture medium. The cell-culture medium is allowed to pass through a lumen of the at least one hollow fiber and to pass nutrients through the walls of the at least one hollow fiber to the cells in the extra-capillary space. Flow through the at least one hollow fiber is produced by action of gravity when a rocking or rotating motion is imparted to the media reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Fibercell Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John J. S. Cadwell
  • Patent number: 6927061
    Abstract: The invention discloses a substantially pure population of human ovarian mesothelial cells and methods of isolating and culturing the ovarian mesothelial cells. By carefully manipulating the microenvironment of the ovarian mesothelial cells, multiple passages are attainable wherein the ovarian mesothelial cells are capable of becoming ovary surface epithelial cells or granulosa cells. In addition, several methods of use of human ovarian mesothelial cells are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Raven Biotechnologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rong-hao Li, Laura Bald, Jennie Powell Mather
  • Patent number: RE38958
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns novel biopesticides and their use to control cockroaches, carpenter ants, and pharaoh ants. Specifically, highly virulent isolates of Beauveria bassiana in an agricultural composition, can be used to effectively control these pests. Exemplified are Beauveria bassiana No. 447, ATCC 20872, and Beauveria bassiana Sp111, ATCC 74038. Also described are unique formulations which are highly effective for delivering biocontrol agents to target pests. By using these novel compositions, target pests can be controlled without the environmental and public safety hazards presented by chemical control agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry L. Stimac, Roberto Pereira