Patents Examined by Nancy Degen
  • Patent number: 6010849
    Abstract: The present invention defines a DNA:protein-binding assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind DNA test sequences. The assay is versatile in that any number of test sequences can be tested by placing the test sequence adjacent to a defined protein binding screening sequence. Binding of molecules to these test sequence changes the binding characteristics of the protein molecule to its cognate binding sequence. When such a molecule binds the test sequence the equilibrium of the DNA:protein complexes is disturbed, generating changes in the concentration of free DNA probe. Numerous exemplary target test sequences (SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:600) are set forth. The assay of the present invention is also useful to characterize the preferred binding sequences of any selected DNA-binding molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Genelabs Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cynthia A. Edwards, Charles R. Cantor, Beth M. Andrews, Lisa M. Turin, Kirk E. Fry
  • Patent number: 6008032
    Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the eubacterium T. maritima. The enzyme has a molecular weight as determined by gel electrophoresis of about 35 kilodaltons and has cellulase activity. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used to aid in the digestion of cellulose where desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Diversa Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Mathur, David E. Lam
  • Patent number: 6007991
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for inhibiting malignant neoplastic growth of epithelial or endothelial cells in a mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of an oligonucleotide complementary to at least a portion of mRNA for ERK-1 or ERK-2 that is overexpressed in the mammal. The antisense oligonucleotides are administered to the mammal as a dosage unit. A method of identifying and monitoring potentially malignant neoplastic cell growth in a mammal is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of SUNY
    Inventors: Vimala S. Sivaraman, Hsien-yu Wang, Craig C. Malbon
  • Patent number: 6007806
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vector being vaccinia virus, which comprises a heterologous DNA sequence which codes at least for the essential region of a tumor specific protein called T antigen, cloned within a non essential region of the vaccinia virus, as well as regulatory element required for the expression of the DNA sequence in higher cells, the vector is particularly useful as a pharmaceutical composition having a preventive or creative activity against tumors especially tumors caused by a papillomavirus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Transgene S.A.
    Inventors: Richard Lathe, Marie-Paule Kieny, Guerrino Meneguzzi
  • Patent number: 6007995
    Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of TNFR1. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding TNFR1. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of TNFR1 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of TNFR1 are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventors: Brenda F. Baker, Lex M. Cowsert
  • Patent number: 6008050
    Abstract: Human neurotensin type 2 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing human neurotensin type 2 polypeptides and polynucleotides in the design of protocols for the treatment of infections such as bacterial, fungal, protozoan and viral infections, particularly infections caused by HIV-1 or HIV-2; pain; cancers; anorexia; bulimia; asthma; Parkinson's disease; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; urinary retention; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy; and psychotic and neurological disorders, including anxiety, schizophrenia, manic depression, delirium dementia, severe mental retardation and dyskinesias, such as Huntington's disease or Gilles dela Tourett's syndrome, among others and diagnostic assays for such conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham Corporation
    Inventors: Derk Jon Bergsma, Usman Shabon
  • Patent number: 6004773
    Abstract: A coryneform bacterium harboring an aspartokinase in which feedback inhibition by L-lysine and L-threonine is substantially desensitized, and comprising an enhanced DNA sequence coding for a dihydrodipicolinate reductase, an enhanced DNA sequence coding for dihydropicolinate reductase, an enhance DNA sequence coding for dihydropicolinate synthase, an enhanced DNA sequence coding for diaminopimelate decarboxylase and an enhanced DNA sequence coding for aspartate aminotransferase; a method for producing L-lysine comprising the steps of cultivating the coryneform bacterium in an appropriate medium to allow L-lysine to be produced and accumulated in a culture of the bacterium, and collecting L-lysine from the culture; and a recombinant DNA usable for production of the coryneform bacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki Araki, Masakazu Sugimoto, Yasuhiko Yoshihara, Tsuyoshi Nakamatsu
  • Patent number: 6004940
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method by which one can target an undesired target molecule or target antigen, preferably an endogenous protein. The method comprises the intracellular expression of an antibody capable of binding to the target. A DNA sequence is delivered to a cell, the DNA sequence contains a sufficient number of nucleotides coding for the portion of an antibody capable of binding to the target operably linked to a promoter that will permit expression of the antibody in the cell(s) of interest. The antibody is then expressed intracellularly and binds to the target, thereby disrupting the target from its normal actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Marasco, Jennifer Richardson
  • Patent number: 6004813
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleotide sequence, which is able to inhibit the IL-6 activity, its use in therapy as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing it.In particular, it relates to a nucleotide sequence which comprises:i) at least one nucleotide sequence that is an APRE element of general formula ZXMYKGKAA, wherein Z represents T or G or can also be absent, X represents T or can also be absent, M represents C or A, Y represents C or T and K represents T or G,in conjunction withii) at least one nucleotide sequence constituting a transcription factor binding site other than the APRE element, such as those present in promoter regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Applied Research Systems ARS Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Ottaviano Serlupi-Crescenzi, Annarita Pezzotti
  • Patent number: 6004748
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of inhibiting the transcription of a gene, which is activated by AP-1 or an AP-1 component, comprising binding AP-1 or the component with a nuclear receptor so as to prevent the binding of AP-1 to the gene. The nuclear receptor can be the retinoic acid receptor, glucocorticoid receptor, vitamin D3 receptor, thyroid receptor, or estrogen receptor. Also provided is a composition of matter comprising AP-1 or an AP-1 component bound to a nuclear receptor. These methods and compositions can be used to treat arthritis and cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation
    Inventors: Magnus Pfahl, Michael Karin
  • Patent number: 6004776
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a protein by a eukaryote transformed by multicopy integration of an expression vector into the genome of a yeast, such as Saccharomyces, Hansenula, and Kluyveromyces, or of a mould such as Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Trichoderma, the expression vector containing both an "expressible gene" encoding the protein and a so-called "deficient selection marker needed for the growth of the yeast or mould in a specific medium", such as the LEU2d, TRP1d or URA3d gene, in combination with a ribosomal DNA sequence, resulting in stable high copy integration of 100-300 copies per cell. This multicopy integration results in an increased production of the desired protein, which can be guar .alpha.-galactosidase, an oxidase or a hydrolytic enzyme such as a lipase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings, B.V.
    Inventors: Marco F. Giuseppin, Maria T. S. Lopes, Roelf J. Planta, Johannes M. A. Verbakel, Cornelis T. Verrips
  • Patent number: 6005088
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel human genes, for example a novel human gene comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for the amino acid sequence shown under SEQ ID NO: 1. The use of the genes makes it possible to detect the expression of the same in various tissues, analyze their structures and functions, and produce the human proteins encoded by the genes by the technology of genetic engineering. Through these, it becomes possible to analyze the corresponding expression products, elucidate the pathology of diseases associated with the genes, for example hereditary diseases and cancer, and diagnose and treat such diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Fujiwara, Takeshi Watanabe, Masato Horie
  • Patent number: 6004556
    Abstract: rsbU-1 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such rsbU-1 and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such rsbU-1 for the treatment of infection, particularly bacterial infections. Antagonists against such rsbU-1 and their use as a therapeutic to treat infections, particularly bacterial infections are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to the presence of rsbU-1 nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides in a host. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting polynucleotides encoding SigB operon and for detecting the polypeptide in a host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P Fosberry, Elizabeth J Lawlor, Richard O Nicholas
  • Patent number: 6004750
    Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid clamps and methods for using nucleic acid clamps, for example, to inhibit gene expression or cleavage, or to specifically cleave a target nucleic acid. Nucleic acid clamps are molecular devices which can bind nucleic acids with affinity and specificity and have a recognition sequence as small as seven bases. Nucleic acid clamps can be used to modify the effective recognition sequence of restriction endonucleases, reducing the frequency and enhancing the length of the recognition sequence, but without diminishing specificity. The invention also relates to methods for the use of nucleic acid clamps for the treatment of disorders involving abnormal gene expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: The Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Maxim D. Frank-Kamenetskii, Alexei G. Veselkov, Vadim V. Demidov
  • Patent number: 6005087
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases amenable to modulation of the production of selected proteins. In accordance with preferred embodiments, oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs are provided which are specifically hybridizable with a selected sequence of RNA or DNA wherein at least one of the 2'-deoxyfuranosyl moieties of the nucleoside unit is modified. Treatment of diseases caused by various viruses and other causative agents is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: ISIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Dan Cook, Andrew Mamoru Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6001574
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a normalized genomic DNA library from an environmental sample by (a) isolating a genomic DNA population from the environmental sample; (b) at least one of (i) amplifying the copy number of the DNA population so isolated and (ii) recovering a fraction of the isolated genomic DNA having a desired characteristic; and (c) normalizing the representation of various DNAs within the genomic DNA population so as to form a normalized library of genomic DNA from the environmental sample. Also disclosed is a normalized genomic DNA library formed from an environmental sample by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Diversa Corporation
    Inventors: Jay M. Short, Eric J. Mathur
  • Patent number: 6001650
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for producing high titer, wild-type-free preparations of recombinant AAV ("rAAV") virions. The compositons of the present invention include novel nucleic acids encoding AAV helper functions and AAV helper function vectors. The present invention also includes host cells transfected by the claimed nucleic acids, methods of using the claimed vectors, and rAAV virions produced by such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Avigen, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Colosi
  • Patent number: 6001350
    Abstract: Endothelial cells transduced with genetic material encoding a polypeptide or protein of interest and, optionally, a selectable marker, as well as methods for making and using the transduced endothelial cells are disclosed. Such endothelial cells are useful in improving the performance of vascular grafts and in delivering the encoded polypeptide or protein, such as an enzyme, a hormone, a receptor or a drug, to an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventors: Richard C. Mulligan, Lawrence K. Cohen, Louis K. Birinyi, James M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6001991
    Abstract: Oligonucleotides are provided which are specifically hybridizable with nucleic acids encoding the human MDR1 P-glycoprotein. Also disclosed are methods of using the oligonucleotides of the invention in methods of modulating the expression of MDR genes, inhibition of which leads to inhibition of the synthesis of MDR P-glycoproteins and thereby inhibits cellular multidrug resistance. Such inhibition is desirable for treating various hyperproliferative disorders or diseases, such as various cancers, in conjunction with chemotherapy utilizing one or more chemotherapeutic agents, for preventing or modulating the development of multidrug resistance during the chemotherapeutic treatment of an animal, and for resensitizing hyperproliferative MDR cells in an animal having such diseases or disorders that has been previously exposed to chemotherapeutic agents. Modified derivatives of the oligonucleotides of the invention, such as chimeras and conjugates (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Dean, Muthiah Manoharan
  • Patent number: 6001800
    Abstract: A method of preparing spray dried recombinant erythropoietin (rhEPO) is disclosed. The method comprises providing an aqueous solution of rhEPO and atomizing the solution into a spray drying the spray and separating the dried rhEPO from the drying air. Also disclosed is rhEPO made by the disclosed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp.
    Inventors: Deepak B. Mehta, Diane C. Corbo, Kurshid Iqbal