Patents Examined by Lorraine Spector
  • COOH-terminally added cysteine variant of the beta interferon
    Patent number: 7795396
    Abstract: The growth hormone supergene family comprises greater than 20 structurally related cytokines and growth factors. A general method is provided for creating site-specific, biologically active conjugates of these proteins. The method involves adding cysteine residues to non-essential regions of the proteins or substituting cysteine residues for non-essential amino acids in the proteins using site-directed mutagenesis and then covalently coupling a cysteine-reactive polymer or other type of cysteine-reactive moiety to the proteins via the added cysteine residue. Disclosed herein are preferred sites for adding cysteine residues or introducing cysteine substitutions into the proteins, and the proteins and protein derivatives produced thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Bolder Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventor: George N. Cox, III
  • Antibody selective for a tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7790165
    Abstract: An antibody of the invention interacts with human DR5 to produce agonistic or antagonistic effects downstream of the receptor including inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Nucleic acid sequences and amino acid sequences of anti-DR5 antibodies have been elucidated and vectors and cells containing and expressing these sequences have been generated. Methods and uses for the antibodies are detailed including treatment of apoptosis-related disease and treatment of dysregulated cell growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: The UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Tong Zhou, Kimihisa Ichikawa, Robert P. Kimberly, William J. Koopman
  • Treatment of cardiac arrhythmias with GLP-1 receptor ligands
    Patent number: 7790681
    Abstract: Compositions of the invention, including compounds that bind to a receptor for a glucagon-like peptide-1, an incretin, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an exendin, or an agonist, an analog (preferably an agonist analog), a derivative, or a variant of any of aforementioned compounds, are used in the prevention and treatment of arrhythmias associated with cardiac ischemia, cardiac ischemia-perfusion and/or congestive heart failure. The invention relates to both the method and compositions for such treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hathaway, Alain D. Baron
  • Soluble TNF receptors and their use in treatment of disease
    Patent number: 7785834
    Abstract: The present invention relates to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists and corresponding nucleic acids derived from tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) and their use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. These proteins are soluble secreted decoy receptors that bind to TNF and prevent TNF from signaling to cells. In particular, the proteins are mammalian TNFRs that lack exon 7 and which can bind TNF and can act as a TNF antagonist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignees: Ercole Biotech, Inc., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Santaris Pharma A/S
    Inventors: Peter L. Sazani, Maria Graziewicz, Ryszard Kole, Henrik Ørum
  • Human tumor necrosis factor receptor TR9 antibody
    Patent number: 7776560
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel member of the tumor necrosis factor family of receptors. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human TR9 receptor. TR9 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of TR9 receptor activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Human Genome Scienes, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Ni, Guo-Liang Yu, Ping Fan, Reiner L. Gentz
  • OX40R binding agents
    Patent number: 7758852
    Abstract: The present invention discloses peptides isolated from the extracellular domain of OX40 Ligand (OX40L) capable of binding OX40 Receptor (OX40R) and inhibiting OX40R-OX40L interaction. Such peptides, fusion proteins comprising them, as well as peptides and other molecules designed on their sequences, can be used as OX40R binding agents competing with natural OX40L for blocking OX40R-mediated cell signaling in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases related to activated T cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Merck Serono SA
    Inventors: Claudio Soto-Jara, Claudia Pena-Rossi
  • Methods for early diagnosing of an increased risk of preeclampsia
    Patent number: 7754495
    Abstract: Methods are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with increased risk of preeclampsia. The methods involve measuring levels of TGF-?3, receptors of cytokines of the TG? family, or HIF-1?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Mount Sinai Hospital
    Inventors: Isabella Caniggia, Martin Post, Stephen Lye
  • Antibodies that bind to a member of the IL-6/G-CSF/MGF family
    Patent number: 7750126
    Abstract: A full-length cDNA corresponding to an EST (AA418955), which does not show any homology to other proteins in the database but has a weak homology to G-CSF, has been successfully isolated by synthesizing primers based on the EST sequence, and effecting PCR-cloning from a human fetal spleen library. Sequencing of the thus-isolated cDNA and analysis of its structure revealed that the cDNA has typical characteristics of a factor belonging to the IL-6/G-CSF/MGF family. It is also found out that the culture supernatant of said sequence-transfected CHO cells shows a proliferation supporting activity towards bone marrow cells in the coexistence of kit ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Hirata
  • Human DR4 antibodies and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7744881
    Abstract: Human Death Receptor 4 (DR4) antibodies are provided. The human DR4 antibodies may be included in pharmaceutical compositions, articles of manufacture, or kits. Methods of treatment and diagnosis using the DR4 antibodies are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Anan Chuntharapai, Kyung Jin Kim
  • Freeze-dried FSH/LH formulations
    Patent number: 7740884
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical formulations of a mixture of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), and to methods of producing such formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Ares Trading S.A.
    Inventors: Fabrizio Samaritani, Piergiorgio Donati
  • Toll-like receptor 9 modulators
    Patent number: 7723054
    Abstract: TLR9 is localized to endoplasmic reticulum and upon stimulation with a TLR9 ligand, is transported to a tubular lysosomal compartment as is CpG-DNA. Furthermore, it is shown that TLR9 and CpG-DNA directly bind. It was also found that the MyD88 translocates in response to activation of TLR9-mediated signaling. Methods of identifying compounds that affect translocation and activity of TLR9 and MyD88 are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Eicke Latz, Alberto Visintin, Douglas T. Golenbock
  • Monoclonal antibodies to secreted and transmembrane polypeptides
    Patent number: 7723488
    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: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Luc Desnoyers, Ellen Filvaroff, Audrey Goddard, Paul J. Godowski, Austin L. Gurney, William I. Wood
  • Antibodies directed to fragments of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) polypeptide and methods and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7718177
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to CTGF fragments comprising at least exon 2 or exon 3 of CTGF and having the ability to induce extracellular matrix synthesis, in particular, collagen synthesis and myofibroblast differentiation. The present invention is further directed to methods using said CTGF fragments to identify compositions which modulate the activity of said CTGF fragments and to the compositions so identified. The invention also relates to methods of treating CTGF-associated disorders and diseases associated with the overproduction of the extracellular matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: University of Miami
    Inventor: Gary R. Grotendorst
  • Methods of monitoring treatment of BAFF-R related disease
    Patent number: 7709220
    Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acids encoding BAFF-R polypeptides, as well as antibodies to BAFF-R polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions including the same. Methods of treating tumorigenic and autoimmune conditions using the nucleic acids, polypeptides, antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Biogen Idec MA Inc.
    Inventors: Christine M. Ambrose, Jeffrey S. Thompson
  • FSH beta mutants that are glycosilated at residues N55 and T57
    Patent number: 7700112
    Abstract: A novel FSH mutant with increased glycosylation and longer half-lifes for use in inducing folliculogenesis in human patients is described. The FSH mutant permits the use of lower cumulative doses of FSH to achieve the same or better clinical result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Merck Serono SA
    Inventors: Louise M. Garone, Stephen J. Arkinstall, William H. Brondyk, Robert K. Campbell, Xuliang Jiang, Sean D. McKenna, Mark Tepper
  • Antibodies to human Toll homologues
    Patent number: 7696327
    Abstract: The invention relates to the identification and isolation of DNAs encoding the human Toll proteins PR0285, PR0286, and PR0358, and to methods and means for the recombinant production of these proteins. The invention also concerns antibodies specifically binding the PR0285, or PR0286, or PR0358 Toll protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Audrey Goddard, Paul J. Godowski, Austin L. Gurney, Melanie R. Mark, Ruey-Bing Yang
  • Growth factor homolog zvegf3
    Patent number: 7691981
    Abstract: Polypeptide growth factors, methods of making them, polynucleotides encoding them, antibodies to them, and methods of using them are disclosed. The polypeptides comprise an amino acid segment that is at least 90% identical to residues 46-163 of SEQ ID NO:2 or residues 235-345 of SEQ ID NO:2. Multimers of the polypeptides are also disclosed. The polypeptides, multimeric proteins, and polynucleotides can be used in the study and regulation of cell and tissue development, as components of cell culture media, and as diagnostic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ZymoGenetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeren Gao, Charles E. Hart, Christopher S. Piddington, Paul O. Sheppard, Kimberly E. Shoemaker
  • Therapeutic agents for renal diseases
    Patent number: 7687056
    Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic agents for renal diseases containing a colony-stimulating factor (CSF) as an active ingredient and renal tissue repairing/regenerating agents containing a colony-stimulating factor (CSF) as an active ingredient. The colony-stimulating factor (CSF) is preferably granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoyuki Kataoka, Keigo Yorozu
  • Human chorionic gonadotropin superagonists
    Patent number: 7687610
    Abstract: The invention is directed toward a human glycoprotein hormone having at least one, two, three, four, or five basic amino acids in the ?-subunit at positions selected from the group consisting of positions 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 20. The invention is also directed to a human glycoprotein where at least one of the amino acids at position 58, 63, and 69 of the ?-subunit of the human thyroid stimulating hormone are basic amino acids. The invention is further directed to a modified human glycoprotein hormone having increased activity over a wild-type human glycoprotein hormone, where the modified human glycoprotein comprises a basic amino acid substituted at a position corresponding to the same amino acid position in a non-human glycoprotein hormone having an increased activity over the wild-type human glycoprotein hormone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Mariusz W. Szkudlinski, Bruce D. Weintraub, Mathis Grossmann
  • Compositions and methods of treating disease with FGFR fusion proteins
    Patent number: 7678890
    Abstract: The invention provides FGFR fusion proteins, methods of making them, and methods of using them to treat proliferative disorders, including cancers and disorders of angiogenesis. The FGFR fusion molecules can be made in CHO cells and may comprise deletion mutations in the extracellular domains of the FGFRs which improve their stability. These fusion proteins inhibit the growth and viability of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The combination of the relatively high affinity of these receptors for their ligand FGFs and the demonstrated ability of these decoy receptors to inhibit tumor growth is an indication of the clinical value of the compositions and methods provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Bosch, Diane Hollenbaugh, Ernestine Lee, Minmin Qin, Ali Sadra