Patents Examined by Sharon L. Turner
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Patent number: 7041792Abstract: A polypeptide free of toxin activity providing protection against botulinum type F toxin is provided. A fusion protein of a fragment of a toxin molecule and a purification moiety enabling purification of a fragment from solution and pharmaceutical compositions containing the polypeptide and the fusion protein are described.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1996Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Microbiological Research AuthorityInventors: Michael J. Elmore, Margaret L. Mauchline, Nigel P. Minton, Vladimir A. Pasechnik, Richard W. Titball
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Patent number: 6998467Abstract: The present invention describes the identification, isolation, cloning, and determination of the Alzheimer Related Membrane Protein (ARMP) gene on chromosome 14 and a related gene, E5-1, on chromosome 1. Normal and mutant copies of both genes are presented. Transcripts and products of these genes are useful in detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, developing therapeutics for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the isolation and manufacture of the protein and the construction of transgenic animals expressing the mutant genes.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2000Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignees: The Hospital for Sick Children, HSC Research and Development Limited Partnership, The Governing Council of the University of TorontoInventors: Peter H. St. George-Hyslop, Johanna M. Rommens, Paul E. Fraser
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Patent number: 6949505Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for maintaining neural pathways in a mammal including: enhancing survival of neurons at risk of dying; inducing cellular repair of damaged neurons and neural pathways; stimulating neurons to maintain their differentiated phenotype; and promoting dendritic outgrowth, including maintaining dendritic arbors and regenerating dendritic architecture. In one embodiment, the invention provides means for stimulating CAM expression in neurons. The invention also provides means for evaluating the status of nerve tissue, including means for detecting and monitoring neuropathies in a mammal. The methods, devices and compositions include a morphogen or morphogen-stimulating agent provided to the mammal in a therapeutically effective concentration.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1994Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignees: Curis, Inc., The Research Foundation of State University of New YorkInventors: David C. Rueger, Kuber T. Sampath, John E. Smart, Hermann Oppermann, Engin Ozkaynak, Charles M. Cohen, Dennis Higgins
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Patent number: 6924266Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating conditions requiring removal or destruction of harmful or unwanted cells in a patient, such as benign and malignant tumors, using peptides derived from the amino acid sequences of neural thread proteins and related molecules.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Nymox CorporationInventor: Paul Averback
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Patent number: 6849405Abstract: The present invention is directed to a DNA element that enhances the translation of the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene. The enhancer may be incorporated into expression vectors to enhance recombinant protein production. In addition, the invention is directed to an assay that utilizes vectors containing the translation enhancer element for the purpose of identifying agents that modulate the expression of the human amyloid precursor protein. These agents will ultimately be used to suppress APP expression in patients with Alzheimer's disease.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.Inventor: Jack Rogers
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Patent number: 6730778Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising a polynucleotide encoding either of two alternative splice variants of human sel-10, one of which is expressed in hippocampal cells, and one of which is expressed in mammary cells. The invention also provides isolated sel-10 polypeptides and cell lines which express them in which A&bgr; processing is altered.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1999Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Pharmacia and Upjohn CompanyInventors: Mark E. Gurney, Adele M. Pauley, Jinhe Li
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Patent number: 6713450Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic immunogenic but non-amyloidogenic peptides homologous to amyloid &bgr; which can be used alone or conjugated to an immunostimulatory molecule in an immunizing composition for inducing an immune response to amyloid &bgr; peptides and amyloid deposits.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2001Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: New York UniversityInventors: Blas Frangione, Thomas Wisniewski, Einar M. Sigurdsson
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Patent number: 6589747Abstract: Among other things, assays and methods of diagnosis and treatment of disease (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) based on the surprising observation of an interaction between amyloid &bgr; or its aggregates with the sodium channel are provided. In particular, methods to identify compounds that modulate this interaction are provided, as well as methods of diagnosis and treatment that are based on this interaction.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Pharmacia & Upjohn CompanyInventors: Kai S. Lee, Xiao-Dong Sun, Bruce M. Taylor, Dennis E. Epps, Allen E. Buhl
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Patent number: 6475747Abstract: Methods for detecting parasites, such as Cryptosporidium parvum, in turbid and non-turbid samples by solubilizing molecular markers or antigens of the parasite. The molecular markers are solubilized by incubating a sample containing the parasite with a solubilization buffer and detecting the solubilized antigens by electrochemiluminescence. The solubilization buffer contains one or more detergents alone or in combination with one or more denaturing agents in a buffered solution. The methods are an improvement over existing immunofluorescence assays for C. parvum because the methods described herein are quantitative, reproducible, have high sensitivity, are not labor-intensive, require only minimal sample processing, and avoid being adversely affected by sample turbidity. In addition, by using a electrochemiluminescence assay, microscopy is not required.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1997Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionInventors: Victor C. W. Tsang, Yeuk-Mui Lee, Patrick W. Johnson, Michael J. Arrowood, Jeffrey L. Call
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Patent number: 6310197Abstract: The present invention is directed to a DNA element that enhances the translation of the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene. The enhancer may be incorporated into expression vectors to enhance recombinant protein production. In addition, the invention is directed to an assay that utilizes vectors containing the translation enhancer element for the purpose of identifying agents that modulate the expression of the human amyloid precursor protein. These agents will ultimately be used to suppress APP expression in patients with Alzheimer's disease.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.Inventor: Jack Rogers
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Patent number: 6294383Abstract: Porcine neural cells and methods for using the cells to treat neurological deficits due to neurodegeneration are described. The porcine neural cells are preferably embryonic mesencephalic, embryonic striatal cells, or embryonic cortical cells. The porcine neural cells can be modified to be suitable for transplantation into a xenogeneic subject, such as a human. For example, the porcine neural cells can be modified such that an antigen (e.g., an MHC class I antigen) on the cell surface which is capable of stimulating an immune response against the cell in a xenogeneic subject is altered (e.g., by contact with an anti-MHC class I antibody, or a fragment or derivative thereof) to inhibit rejection of the cell when introduced into the subject. In one embodiment, the porcine neural cells are obtained from a pig which is essentially free from organisms or substances which are capable of transmitting infection or disease to the recipient subject.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1995Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignees: The McLean Hospital Corporation, Diacrin, Inc.Inventors: Ole Isacson, Jonathan Dinsmore
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Patent number: 6291647Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated protein obtainable from a plant source which has anti-Phytophthora activity and a molecular weight of about 60±5 kDa as judged by SDS PAGE-electrophoresis, an isolated DNA sequence comprising an open reading frame capable of encoding a protein according to the invention, preferably characterized in that it comprises an open reading frame which is capable of encoding a protein as represented by amino acids 1 to 540 of SEQ ID NO: 6, or the precursor of said protein, and DNA capable of hybridising therewith under stringent conditions. The invention further comprises plants incorporating chimeric DNA capable of encoding a protein according to the invention, and wherein the protein is expressed. Also methods are provided for combatting fungi, especially Phytophthora infestans, using a protein or a host cell capable of producing the protein.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1996Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Syngenta Mogen B.V.Inventors: Leo Sjoerd Melchers, Anne Silene Ponstein, Saskia Kroon-Swart, Johanna Pieternella Els Van Deventer-Troost, Stephan Andreas Ohl, Alexandra Aleida Bres-Vloemans, Jürgen Logemann, Marianne Beatrix Sela-Buurlage
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Patent number: 6254863Abstract: A non-virulent, recA defective mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis. The Porphyromonas gingivalis strain which is deposited at ATCC under accession number 202109. Also a method of decreasing the growth rate or reproduction rate of Porphyromonas gingivalis in a mammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal at least one dose of Porphyromonas gingivalis according to the present invention. Further, a method of preventing or treating a Porphyromonas gingivalis infection such as periodontitis in a mammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal at least one dose of Porphyromonas gingivalis according to the present invention. Also, a pharmaceutical composition comprising a non-virulent, recA defective mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1998Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Loma Linda UniversityInventor: Hansel M. Fletcher
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Patent number: 6221669Abstract: This invention provides a method for prolonging the preservation of human blood platelets at reduced temperatures. The method uses an inhibitor system that enables blood platelets to retain their functional integrity during storage. In addition, the inhibitor system prevents the generation of cytokines in the platelet preparation during storage at both 22° C. and 4° C. This is accomplished by interrupting normal platelet function during storage, so as to help keep platelets from activating and losing their shape. Before using the platelets in a transfusion, they are returned to their normal functional level by washing the inhibitor system away from the platelets.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1996Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: LifeCell CorporationInventors: Stephen A. Livesey, Jerome Connor, Laura M. Currie
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Patent number: 6214602Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions useful in the overproduction of Clostridium toxins and proteins by hosts such as E. coli. These proteins and toxins find use in various medical and veterinary applications, including vaccine production, and cosmetic dermatology, as well as treatment of neurological and other diseases and conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Promega CorporationInventor: Alexey G. Zdanovsky
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Patent number: 6103480Abstract: A method for determining a cause for digestive and immune disorders is disclosed. The method determines the levels of antibodies against normal intestinal microflora and food antigens. It then compares the results to normal levels to determine the cause. The test can be used to diagnose food allergy or intolerance,microflora imbalance, gut barrier dysfunction, bacterial translocation, immunodeficiencies, candidiasis and autoimmunities.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1999Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Immunosciences Lab, Inc.Inventor: Aristo Vojdani