Patents Examined by Lynette R. F. Smith
  • Human complement C3-degrading protein from Streptococcus pneumoniae
    Patent number: 6676943
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and use of a family of human complement C3-degrading proteinases expressed by S. pneumoniae. The proteinase has a molecular weight of about 24 kD to about 34 kD as determined on a 10% SDS polyacrylamide gel. A preferred proteinase of this invention includes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Margaret K. Hostetter, Gary Dunny, Lakshmi S. Nandiwada
  • Two-step immunization procedure against Chlamydia infection
    Patent number: 6676949
    Abstract: A host is immunized against infection by a strain of Chlamydia by initial administration of an attenuated bacteria harbouring a nucleic acid encoding a Chlamydia protein followed by administration of a Chlamydia protein in ISCOMs. This procedure enables a high level of protection to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignees: University of Manitoba, Aventis Pasteur Limited
    Inventors: Robert C. Brunham, Andrew D. Murdin
  • Method for measuring urinary trypsin inhibitor
    Patent number: 6673632
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method by which UTI concentration can be measured easily with high precision and good reproducibility. The measurement is performed by adding free anti-UTI antibodies to a sample and measuring the degree of the resulting agglutination, for example, from the change in absorbance. As shown in FIG. 3, the UTI concentration and the degree of the agglutination (i.e. the change in absorbance) are correlated. The absorbance can be measured by using a general spectrophotometer, preferably at a wavelength of 300 to 400 nm. Polyethylene glycol is preferably added to the reaction solution as an agglutination accelerator. The polyethylene glycol preferably has an average molecular weight of 2,000 to 20,000, and the concentration of polyethylene glycol in the reaction solution is preferably in the range of 2 to 10 weight %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kyoto Daiichi Kagaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyouichi Ohshiro
  • Anti-parasite astacin metalloendopeptidase antibodies
    Patent number: 6673345
    Abstract: The present invention relates to parasite astacin metalloendopeptidase proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, antibodies raised against such proteins and compounds that can inhibit the activities of parasite astacin metalloendopeptidases. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such nucleic acid molecules, proteins, antibodies and inhibitors. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such nucleic acid molecules, proteins, antibodies and inhibitors as well as their use to protect animals from disease caused by parasites, such as heartworm infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Heska Corporation
    Inventors: Cynthia Ann Tripp, Glenn Robert Frank, Robert B. Grieve
  • Recombinant fusobacterium necrophorum leukotoxin vaccine and preparation thereof
    Patent number: 6669940
    Abstract: The F. necrophorum gene expressing leukotoxin was sequenced and cloned. The leukotoxin open reading frame (lktA) is part of a multi-gene operon containing 9,726 bp, and encoding a protein containing 3,241 amino acids with an overall molecular weight of 335,956 daltons. The protein encoded by the gene was truncated into five polypeptides having overlapping regions by truncating the full length gene into five different sections and amplifying, expressing, and recovering the protein encoded by each of these sections. Additionally, a region upstream of the gene was sequenced and the polypeptide encoded by that nucleotide sequence was purified and isolated. These polypeptides along with the full length protein are then tested to determine their immunogenicity and protective immunity in comparison to the efficacy of immunization conferred by inactivated native leukotoxin in F. necrophorum culture supernatant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Kansas University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Tiruvoor G. Nagaraja, George C. Stewart, Sanjeev K. Narayanan, Muckatira M. Chengappa
  • Compositions and methods for monitoring the phosphorylation of natural binding partners
    Patent number: 6670144
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring the interaction of binding partners as a function of the addition or subtraction of a phosphate group to or from one of the binding partners by a protein kinase or phosphatase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Cyclacel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Roger K. Craig, John Colyer
  • Bovine footrot treatment and prevention
    Patent number: 6667040
    Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing footrot, in particular bovine footrot, by administering Porphyromonas and/or Prevotella and/or subunits and/or toxins thereof or neutralizing agents such as antibodies thereto. A model useful for evaluating the effectiveness of footrot treatments or preventatives is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: University Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Morck, Merle E. Olson
  • Antibodies against type a botulinum neurotoxin
    Patent number: 6667158
    Abstract: Antibodies for binding epitopes of BoNT/A and hybridomas which produce such antibodies are described. The antibodies of the present invention can be used in a method for detecting BoNT/A in a sample and/or in a method for purifying BoNT/A from an impure solution. In addition, the antibodies can be used for passive immunization against BoNT/A intoxication or as intoxication therapy. Another aspect of the invention is a kit for detecting BoNT/A in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Sina Bavari, Edna R. Torres Melendez, Frank J. Lebeda
  • Washing solution for solid-phase immunometric methods which contains stabilizers for the labeling system, and the use thereof
    Patent number: 6664070
    Abstract: A washing solution for solid-phase immunometric methods which contains stabilizers for the labeling system, and the use thereof
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Dade Behring Marburg GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Detlef Dopatka
  • Reagents for detection and purification of antibody fragments
    Patent number: 6663862
    Abstract: An isolated B1 domain polypeptide of bacterial Protein G which binds a Fab fragment of an IgG but substantially does not bind a Fc fragment of an IgG. Methods for the detection and purification of IgG Fc antibody fragments and Fab antibody fragments using the isolated GB1 domain polypeptides are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Homme W. Hellinga, David J. Sloan
  • Chlamydia antigens and corresponding DNA fragments and uses thereof
    Patent number: 6660275
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector, containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a CPN100605 polypeptide of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the CPN100605 polypeptide in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Aventis Pasteur Limited
    Inventors: Andrew D. Murdin, Raymond P. Oomen, Pamela L. Dunn
  • Lead substances and their use as therapeutics
    Patent number: 6660835
    Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, which are useful in treating Staphylococcus infections. More particularly, the inventive peptides interfere with the regulation of the agr system of Staphylococcus species, especially S. aureus, and thereby block the formation of different virulence factors. The inventive peptides comprise at least the amino acid sequence S V X A S Y F, whereby cyclic structures of that kind of peptides are the most potent blocking reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Otto, Roderich Suessmuth, Guenther Jung, Friedrich Goetz
  • Homologous 28-kilodalton immunodominant protein genes of Ehrlichia canis and uses thereof
    Patent number: 6660269
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the cloning, sequencing and expression of homologous immunoreactive 28-kDa protein genes, p28-1, -2, -3, -5, -6, -7, -9, from a polymorphic multiple gene family of Ehrlichia canis. Further disclosed is a multigene locus encoding all nine homologous 28-kDa protein genes of Ehrlichia canis. Recombinant Ehrlichia canis 28-kDa proteins react with convalescent phase antiserum from an E. canis-infected dog, and may be useful in the development of vaccines and serodiagnostics that are particularly effective for disease prevention and serodiagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Research Development Foundation
    Inventors: David H. Walker, Xue-Jie Yu, Jere W. McBride
  • Inbred maize line NP2015
    Patent number: 6657109
    Abstract: An inbred maize line, designated NP2015, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line NP2015, methods for producing a maize plant produced by crossing the inbred line NP2015 with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line NP2015 with another maize line or plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventor: Christopher O. Perry
  • Attenuated live neospora vaccine
    Patent number: 6656479
    Abstract: The present invention provides attenuated live cultures of the pathogenic protozoan parasite, Neospora, and live vaccines against neosporosis prepared therefrom which are useful in the prevention of clinical disease and abortion in mammals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Pfizer Inc.
    Inventors: David A Brake, Byron L Blagburn, David S Lindsay
  • One-step lateral flow assays
    Patent number: 6656744
    Abstract: The efficiency and accuracy of one-step lateral flow assays can be improved by employing more efficient binding between participants in labeling and capture. Thus, in addition to analyte/anti-analyte interactions, specific binding is achieved through members of an irrelevant specific binding pair. Also included within the invention is a format wherein unlabeled competitor for analyte serves as a gatekeeper in the capture zone, competing with analyte for labeled anti-analyte, which analyte will be captured in a detecting portion of a capture zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Quidel Corporation
    Inventors: Allan D. Pronovost, Hans Boehringer, Ya-Chen Hsu
  • Compositions and methods for monitoring the phosphorylation of natural binding partners
    Patent number: 6656696
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring the interaction of binding partners as a function of the addition or subtraction of a phosphate group to or from one of the binding partners by a protein kinase or phosphatase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Cyclacel
    Inventors: Roger K. Craig, John Colyer
  • Serum-free, low-protein media for rotavirus vaccine production
    Patent number: 6656719
    Abstract: Defined serum-free, low protein media (LPKM), that supports 1) Vero cell growth for up to 20 passages, 2) Vero cell growth on microcarriers and 3) rotavirus production is provided. Maximum cell densities attained are 60-100% of that in serum-containing medium; the doubling time is equal to that for cells in serum containing medium. Rotavirus titers achieved in LPKM-1 are 50-100% of the serum-containing process. Finally, since LPKM-1 contains no animal-sourced proteins, the problems associated with the serum-containing rotavirus production process (i.e. lengthy wash steps before infection, potential introduction of adventitious agents and lot-to-lot variability) can be avoided; while maintaining nearly equivalent product titers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra L. Gould, David K. Robinson, Daniel J. Distefano, T. Craig Seamans
  • Single-chain recombinant complexes of hepatitis C virus NS3 protease and NS4A cofactor peptide
    Patent number: 6653127
    Abstract: Covalent HCV NS4A-NS3 complexes comprising the central hydrophobic domain of native HCV NS4A peptide, a linker, and the HCV NS3 serine protease domain, wherein the hydrophobic domain of native HCV NS4A peptide is tethered by the linker to the amino terminus of the HCV NS3 protease domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Schering Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Malcolm, S. Shane Taremi, Patricia C. Weber, Nanhua Yao
  • Dynamic protein signature assay
    Patent number: 6653135
    Abstract: An assay to determine the specific expression and suppression of proteins in response to a stressor is disclosed. An organism exposed to a stressor, including disease caused by exposure to, e.g., a parasite, or a substance suspected of causing an adverse effect, is assayed to determine a first set of proteins expressed and a second set of proteins suppressed in response to the stressor. The amount of each protein expressed and the amount of each protein suppressed can be statistically analyzed to determine which proteins are most useful in diagnosing the stressor. A protein profile for a first stressor can be compared to protein profiles for a second stressor, a third stressor, etc. A distinct protein expression signature (PES) for the first stressor can be identified by determining subsets fo proteins expressed and/or suppressed only in response to the first stressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventor: Brian P. Bradley