Patents Examined by Nita Minnifield
  • def1
    Patent number: 6284878
    Abstract: The invention provides def1 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding def1 polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing def1 polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignees: SmithKline Beecham Corporation, SmithKline Beecham PLC
    Inventors: Michael Arthur Lonetto, Deborah Dee Jaworski, Min Wang, Richard Lloyd Warren, Christopher Michael Traini, Anna Lisa Kosmatka, David Justin Charles Knowles, John Edward Hodgson, Michael Terence Black, David J. Holmes, Richard Oakley Nicholas, Robert King Stodola
  • Genes of Heliciobacter pylori necessary for the regulation and maturation of urease and their use
    Patent number: 6271017
    Abstract: Oligonucletodie sequences are disclosed specific to H. pylori urease and useful as DNA probes and primers in the detection of H. pylori infection in humans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignees: Institut Pasteur, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale
    Inventors: Agnès Labigne, Valérie Cussac, Richard Ferrero
  • ELISA serodiagnosis of pig pleuropneumonia serotypes 5a and 5b
    Patent number: 6270985
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ELISA diagnostic kit for the assay of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 5a and 5b antibodies in the serum of pigs comprising in separate packaging, at least one of the following: a) a plate or solid support having bound thereto a purified lipopolysaccharide A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 5 antigen for a specific binding to anti-A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 5a or 5b antibodies present in the serum of pigs; b) serum from pigs experimentally inoculated with a strain of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 5 to serve as a positive control; c) pig serum from A. pleuropneumoniae free herd to serve as a negative control; and d) a detectably labeled conjugate which bind to pigs antibodies bound to the plate of a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Universite de Montreal
    Inventors: Marcelo Gottschalk, Daniel Dubreuil, Réal Lallier
  • Streptococcal C5a peptidase vaccine
    Patent number: 6270775
    Abstract: Novel vaccines for use against &bgr;-hemolytic Streptococcus colonization or infection are disclosed. The vaccines contain an immunogenic amount of streptococcal C5a peptidase, or a fragment or mutant thereof. Also disclosed is a method of protecting a susceptible mammal against &bgr;-hemolytic Streptococcus colonization or infection by administering such a vaccine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Paul Patrick Cleary
  • Two-phase system for the production and presentation of foreign antigens in hybrid live vaccines
    Patent number: 6255097
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetic engineering process for the optimal production and exposure to the immune system of additional antigen coded for by a live vaccine. The genetic engineering process is based on the use of spontaneous DNA reorganisation in the recombinant live vaccine, such that the recombinant live vaccine spontaneously divides into two subpopulations (A and B), whereby subpopulation A is capable of infecting and acts immunogenically per se as a minimum characteristic and subpopulation B as a minimum characteristic is regenerated by subpopulation A, produces additional antigen and acts immunogenically with respect to said additional antigen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Zu Forderung der Wessenchaften
    Inventors: Thomas Meyer, Johannes Pohlner, Frank U. Reuss, Zhengxin Yan
  • Highly sensitive fluoroassay
    Patent number: 6255048
    Abstract: This invention provides fluoroassay which comprises labeling analyte molecules with a fluorescent material having a nucleic acid portion stained with a sufficient number of fluorochrome molecules so as to be measurable as fluorescent spots, and a reactive group binding to the analyte molecule specifically, immobilizing the labeled analyte on a solid phase, and counting the number of fluorescent spots. The nucleic acid portion of the fluorescent labeling material is a double-stranded or single-stranded nucleic acid, and the staining with the fluorochrome molecules is performed with intercalating type, minor groove binding type, or covalently binding to the nucleic acid type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Laboratory of Molecular Biophotonics
    Inventors: Shigeru Hosoi, Makiko Kojima, Sachiko Kadouchi
  • Method of producing a vaccine which raises an immunological response against a virus causing a porcine respiratory and reproductive disease
    Patent number: 6251404
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine which protects pigs from a virus and/or an infectious agent causing a porcine respiratory and reproductive disease, a method of protecting a pig from a disease caused by a virus and/or an infectious agent which causes a respiratory and reproductive disease, a method of producing a vaccine against a virus and/or an infectious agent causing a porcine reproductive and respiratory disease, and a biologically pure sample of a virus and/or infectious agent associated with a porcine respiratory and reproductive disease, particularly the Iowa strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and an isolated polynucleotide which is at least 90% homologous with a polynucleotide obtained from the genome of a virus and/or infectious agent which causes a porcine respiratory and reproductive disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignees: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Solvay Animal Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Prem S. Paul, Patrick G. Halbur, Xiang-Jin Meng, Young S. Lyoo, Melissa Anne Lum
  • Ribb
    Patent number: 6252044
    Abstract: The invention provides ribB polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding ribB polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing ribB polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignees: SmithKline Beecham Corporation, SmithKline Beecham plc
    Inventors: Michael Terance Black, Lisa Kathleen Shilling, Robert King Stodola, Richard Lloyd Warren, Anna Lisa Kosmatka, Richard Oakley Nicholas, Leslie Marie Palmer, Michael Arthur Lonetto, Jason Craig Fedon, John Edward Hodgson, David Justin Charles Knowles
  • Process for preparing conjugate vaccines including free protein and the conjugate vaccines, immunogens, and immunogenic reagents produced by this process
    Patent number: 6248334
    Abstract: A process for preparing a protein-polysaccharide conjugate includes reacting a protein with a polysaccharide to produce a mixture including a protein-polysaccharide conjugate and free protein. At least one unreacted reagent or low molecular weight component is removed from this mixture, without removing all of the free protein, to provide a purified mixture that contains the protein-polysaccharide conjugate and free protein. This purified mixture can be used as a conjugate vaccine, immunogen, or immunological reagent. Keeping the free protein in the purified mixture with the conjugate saves time and money in the conjugate production process. In another aspect of the invention, the purified mixture of the protein-polysaccharide conjugate and free protein is reacted with a hapten to produce a conjugate mixture including a hapten-protein conjugate and a hapten-protein-polysaccharide conjugate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
    Inventors: Andrew Lees, James Mond
  • Anti-flammatory carbohydrate binding-peptides
    Patent number: 6245883
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides or derivatives thereof useful for suppressing inflammatory responses, inducing tolerance to an antigen, and suppressing cell adhesion, e.g., involved in metastasis. In particular, peptides capable of binding terminally linked &agr;-sialic acid(2-6)&bgr;Gal- and/or &agr;-sialic acid(2-3)&bgr;Gal-groups on structures or molecules comprising such groups are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions containing such lectin derived carbohydrate binding peptides are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Alberta Research Council
    Inventors: Louis D. Heerze, Glen D. Armstrong, Richard Smith
  • Conjugates of antiviral proteins or peptides and virus or viral envelope glycoproteins
    Patent number: 6245737
    Abstract: The present invention provides antiviral proteins, peptides and conjugates, as well as methods of obtaining these agents. The antiviral proteins, peptides and conjugates of the present invention can be used alone or in combination with other antiviral agents in compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, to inhibit the infectivity, replication and cytopathic effects of a virus, such as a retrovirus, in particular a human immunodeficiency virus, specifically HIV-1 or HIV-2, in the treatment or prevention of viral infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Michael R. Boyd, Kirk R. Gustafson, Robert H. Shoemaker, James B. McMahon
  • Bovine footrot treatment and prevention
    Patent number: 6241992
    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: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: University Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Morck, Merle E. Olson
  • Method for detection and prevention of human cytomegalovirus infection
    Patent number: 6242567
    Abstract: Disclosed are amino acid sequences of the late 64 kilodalton protein of human cytomegalovirus (HCMVgp64), useful in diagnosing and preventing HCMV infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: City of Hope
    Inventors: Hema Pande, Arthur D. Riggs, John A. Zaia, Brian R. Clark
  • Recombinant immunogenic actinomycetale
    Patent number: 6235518
    Abstract: A mycobacteria transformed with an antigen-encoding gene, such as nef, under the control of a Streptomyces stress-responsive promoter, such as the S. albus groES/groEL1 promoter, and preferably associated with a synthetic ribosome binding site. The recombinant mycobacteria can be used as a vaccine against, for example, a pathogen which carries the antigen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Pasteur
    Inventors: Brigitte Gicquel, Nathalie Winter, Marina Gheorghiu
  • Live in ovo vaccine
    Patent number: 6231871
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to modified microorganisms suitable for use as live in ovo vaccines for avian species. The live in ovo vaccines of the present invention are useful for inducing immunity before or immediately after hatching against a virulent form of the modified microorganism or a microorganism immunologically related to the modified microorganism or a virulent organism or virus carrying an antigenic determinant expressed by the modified microorganism in the live vaccine. The subject live in ovo vaccines are particularly efficacious in enhancing the survival rate of newly-hatched poultry birds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventor: Peter John Coloe
  • Strains of bacteria and pharmaceutical composition containing one or more of such strains and use of same for preventing and treating diseases associated with or caused by altered metabolism of bile acids
    Patent number: 6225104
    Abstract: Strains of bacteria characterized by exhibiting: (a) a 7&agr;-dehydroxylase activity of less than 50%, and (b) a bile acid deconjugation activity of less than 50%, and descendants, mutants and derivatives thereof preserving activities (a) and (b); and a pharmaceutical composition using one or more of such strains and use of same for preventing and treating diseases associated with or caused by an altered metabolism of bile acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventors: Renata Maria Anna Cavaliere Vesely, Claudio De Simone
  • Recombinant mycobacteria auxotrophic for diaminopimelate
    Patent number: 6221364
    Abstract: The present invention refers in general to novel recombinant mycobacteria that are auxotrophic for diaminopimelate. In particular, this invention relates to novel auxotrophic recombinant mycobacteria, to methods of making the mycobacteria, and to uses of the mycobacteria to deliver vaccines. This invention also provides for uses of the mycobacteria in drug screening processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
    Inventors: Martin S. Pavelka, Jr., William R. Jacobs, Jr.
  • spoIIIE from Steptococcus pneumoniae
    Patent number: 6222016
    Abstract: The invention provides spoIIIE polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding spoIIIE polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing spoIIIE polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham Corporation
    Inventors: Alison Frances Chalker, Maria Magdalena Zalacain Feliu, James Raymond Brown, Alexander Philip Bryant
  • Adjuvant incorporation into antigen carrying cells: compositions and methods
    Patent number: 6218166
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for enhancing the antibody and T cell response to cellular antigens by incorporating an immunopotentiating agent into the cellular membrane or into an intracellular compartment. Such adjuvant-incorporated cell compositions are useful in methods to increase immune responses against antigens, including immunologically cryptic tumor cell antigens, and may be employed to generate useful diagnostic antibodies, to elicit anti-tumor effects in immunized animals, and to significantly prolong survival in animals with cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: John Wayne Cancer Institute
    Inventors: Mepur H. Ravindranath, Donald L. Morton
  • Passive immunization against Clostridium difficile disease
    Patent number: 6214341
    Abstract: The invention provides active and passive immunization methods for preventing and treating Clostridium difficile infection, which involve percutaneous administration of C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin, C. difficile toxoids, or combinations thereof. Also provided by the invention are C. difficile toxoids, C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin, and methods of identifying subjects that produce C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: OraVax
    Inventors: William D. Thomas, Jr., Paul J. Giannasca, Zhenxi Zhang, Wende Lei, Thomas P. Monath