Patents Examined by Stephen Gucker
  • Glial mitogenic factors, their preparation and use
    Patent number: 6972280
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for inducing myelination of neural cells by glial cells, The methods involve contacting glial cells with polypeptides comprising epidermal growth factor-like domains encoded by the GGF/p185 erb B2 ligand gene provided as a feature of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignees: Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
    Inventors: Andrew Goodearl, Paul Stroobant, Luisa Minghetti, Michael Waterfield, Mark Marchioni, Mario Su Chen, Ian Hiles
  • Antimicrobial polypeptide, nucleic acid, and methods of use
    Patent number: 6964760
    Abstract: Antimicrobial compounds and compositions and uses thereof, including the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections are described. The compounds and compositions include lantibiotic polypeptides and the nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The compounds and compositions are useful as antimicrobials in antibiotic pharmaceutical preparation and as an antimicrobial or antiseptic dentifrice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Daniel Hillman
  • Prostate-specific membrane antigen
    Patent number: 6953668
    Abstract: This invention provides for an isolated mammalian nucleic acid molecule encoding a mammalian prostate-specific membrane antigen. This invention provides for nucleic acid probes which specifically hybridize with the nucleic acid molecule encoding said antigen. This invention provides for a method of detecting hematogenous micrometastic tumor cells of a subject performing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on samples of the subject using primers of said antigen. This invention provides for methods to identify ligands which bind to said antigen. This invention provides for the prevention and/or treatment of prostate tumor growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research
    Inventors: Ron S. Israeli, Warren D. W. Heston, William R. Fair
  • DNA coding for human cell surface antigen
    Patent number: 6949360
    Abstract: DNAs coding for human cell surface antigen (Fas or Fas antigen), vectors for expressing for said DNAs and transformants transfected with said vector are proveded. Fas is a polypeptide that exists in the surfaces of a variety of cells and is considered to be deeply concerned with the apoptosis of cells. The isolated Fas cDNA has an open reading frame that is capable of encoding a protein consisting of 335 amino acids. The mature Fas antigen is a protein consisting of 319 amino acids having a calculated molecular weight of about 36,000 and is constituted by an extracellular domain of 157 amino acids, a membrane-spanning domain of 17 amino acids, and a cytoplasmic domain of 145 amino acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Osaka Bioscience Institute
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagata, Naoto Itoh, Shin Yonehara
  • A-form of cytoplasmic domain of nARIA (CRD-neuregulin) and uses thereof
    Patent number: 6933122
    Abstract: This invention provides nARIA-based assays for defining whether a subject has or is predisposed to developing a neoplastic disease. This invention further provides a nARIA-based method for maintaining synaptic connections between a neuron and a target cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Lorna W. Role, David Talmage, Jianxin Bao
  • Human neuropeptide Y-like G protein-coupled receptor
    Patent number: 6927041
    Abstract: Reagents which regulate human neuropeptide Y-like G protein-coupled receptor (NPY-like GPCR) protein and reagents which bind to human NPY-like GPCR gene products can play a role in preventing, ameliorating, or correcting dysfunctions or diseases including, but not limited to, obesity, diabetes, anxiety, hypertension, cocaine withdrawal, congestive heart failure, memory enhancement, cardiac and cerebral vasospasm, pheochromocytoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Leonid Zhelnin, Brian T. Bloomquist
  • Human Mob-5 (IL-24) receptors and uses thereof
    Patent number: 6902930
    Abstract: The present invention provides the receptors for Mob-5 (IL-24). One of the Mob-5 receptors comprises IL-22R1 and IL-20R2. Another Mob-5 receptor comprises IL-20R1 and IL-22R2. The invention also provides methods of inhibiting the Mob-5 receptor as well as methods of detecting cancer by detecting the presence of the Mob-5 receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: Peng Liang
  • H. PYLORI FLBA POLYPEPTIDES, IMMUNOGENIC AND VACCINATING COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING H. PYLORI FLBA POLYPEPTIDES, AND COMPOSITIONS FOR DETECTION OF AN INFECTION COMPRISING H. PYLORI FLBA POLYPEPTIDES
    Patent number: 6899881
    Abstract: The present application relates to nucleotide sequences which regulate the biosynthesis of the flagella proteins Helicobacter pylori, to the proteins encoded by these sequences and to a aflagellate bacterial strains. The invention also relates to the use of these means for detecting an infection due to H.pylori or for protecting against such an infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignees: Institut Pasteur, Institute National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale
    Inventors: Sebastian Suerbaum, Agnés Labigne
  • Methods for treating neurological injuries and disorders
    Patent number: 6872698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treatment of nerve cell death (degeneration) and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods of the invention include administering, an effective amount of GDF-1 alone or in combination with neurotrophin-3, to a patient in need of such treatment such as a person suffering from stroke or traumatic brain injury or a neurodegenerative disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Scion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Marchionni, Michael Jarpe, Ted Ebendal
  • Methods of inducing hair growth and coloration
    Patent number: 6867179
    Abstract: Methods to control, or manipulate, melanocyte and keratinocyte cell death are disclosed. In particular, a method of preventing epidermal melanocyte cell loss due to injury in a vertebrate is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of inducing hair growth in a vertebrate, a method of inducing hair color in a vertebrate, a method of inducing skin color in a vertebrate, a method of treating baldness in an individual, and a method of treating alopecia areata in an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Barbara A. Gilchrest, Mina Yaar, Mark Eller
  • Polynucleotides and proteins encoded thereby
    Patent number: 6863889
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel isolated SECX polynucleotides and the membrane-associated or selected polypeptides encoded by the SECX polynucleotides. Also provided are the antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a SECX polypeptide or any derivative, variant, mutant or fragment of the SECX polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. The invention additionally provide methods in which the SECX polypeptide, polynucleotide and antibody are utilized in the detection and treatment of a broad range of pathological states, as well as to other uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: CuraGen Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Shimkets, William J. LaRochelle
  • Purified antigen for Alzheimer's disease and methods of obtaining and using same
    Patent number: 6864062
    Abstract: The invention relates, among other things, a preparation comprising Alzheimer's disease antigen (A68), as well as methods of obtaining this purified antigen, and methods of using this purified antigen, for instance, for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and for detecting human autoantibodies to the Alzheimer disease antigen. The antigen preparation according to the invention is purified in that it is substantially free of immunoglobulin G. The invention further relates to methods of making Alzheimer disease antigens that can be used instead of or along with the A68 antigen preparation (e.g., for diagnosing AD), such as recombinant human tau, tau isolated from various species including human, and phosphorylated recombinant human tau or isolated tau, as well as A68 anti-idiotypic antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Molecular Geriatrics Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond P. Zinkowski, Daniel J. Kerkman, Russell E. Kohnken, John F. DeBernardis, Peter Davies
  • Macrophage-infecting parasites expressing a granulocyte macrophage colony stimulated factor
    Patent number: 6855537
    Abstract: Strains of Leishmania and other macrophage-infecting parasites are provided which express the GM-CSF gene which are useful in treating hosts infected by the parasite and in protecting hosts against disease caused by infection of hosts by parasites. The parasites are reduced in their ability to infect or survive in macrophages and hence are attenuated. At least one gene of the parasite contributing to the virulence thereto may be functionally disabled. The attenuated strains may be used for administration to a host (a) to treat a host infected by Leishmania or (b) to confer protection against disease caused by a virulent Leishmania strain, or as a diagnostic reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Aventis Pasteur Limited
    Inventors: Barbara Papadopoulu, Marc Ouellette, Martin Olivier
  • Methods and compositions for treating ocular disorders
    Patent number: 6855690
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating and/or preventing damage to a retina or optic nerve in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of oncomodulin. Preferably, the subject is a mammal, most preferably, a human. In preferred embodiments, the oncomodulin may be used in combination with mannose, a mannose derivative and/or inosine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Children's Medical Center Corporation
    Inventor: Larry I. Benowitz
  • Gene encoding brain-specific membrane protein
    Patent number: 6852836
    Abstract: A novel gene apparently encoding a transmembrane glycoprotein has been successfully isolated by constructing a cDNA library of 4 kb or above in size from mRNA expressed in human adult brain and analyzing the structures of cDNAs contained within said library by the shotgun method. The novel gene shows brain-specific expression and the protein encoded by said gene has a typical PDZ protein binding motif.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignees: Chugai Sieyaku Kabushiki Kaisha, Kazusa DNA Research Institute
    Inventors: Shin-Ichi Funahashi, Shoji Miyata, Nobuo Nomura, Takahiro Nagase, Osamu Ohara
  • Regulation of intracellular glucocorticoid concentrations
    Patent number: 6838253
    Abstract: Therefore, another aspect of the invention is a method for determining whether a compound or composition is a regulator of intracellular glucocorticoid activity in adipose tissue comprising determining whether said compound or composition inhibits reductase activity of 11-Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11-Beta HSD1) in said tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: The University of Edinburgh
    Inventors: Brian Robert Walker, Christopher Richard Watkin Edwards, Jonathan Robert Seckl
  • Genes involved in stroke response and/or regulated by FK506, proteins encoded thereby, and methods of use
    Patent number: 6833237
    Abstract: Genes and the proteins encoded thereby that are involved in stroke response and/or are regulated by FK506 are disclosed. These genes were discovered using in vivo or in vitro stroke models by determining which genes were differentially upregulated or downregulated upon treatment of the model with FK506. They were also found by a functional assay of genes specifically selected for conferring to cells resistance to hypoxia, dopamine or glutamate treatment. The disclosure includes such genes and proteins as well as analogs, salts and functional derivatives of such proteins, and DNA encoding such analogs, and methods of use. Methods for treating the effects of stroke, hypoxia and/or ischemia by regulating such genes or proteins are disclosed. Methods for screening for compounds capable of regulating the genes and proteins of the invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignees: Quark Biotech, Inc., Fujitsawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Elena Feinstein, Igor Mett, Sylvia G. Kachalsky, Svetlana Gorodin
  • Antibodies that bind neuron restrictive silencer factor proteins
    Patent number: 6824774
    Abstract: The present invention relates to neuron-restrictive silencer factor proteins, nucleic acids, and antibodies thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David J. Anderson, Christopher J. Schoenherr
  • Methods of modifying feeding behavior, compounds useful in such methods, and DNA encoding a hypothalamic atypical neuropeptide Y/peptide YY receptor (Y5)
    Patent number: 6818445
    Abstract: This invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y5 receptor which hybridizes under high stringency conditions to a nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO:3, vectors comprising such isolated nucleic acid molecules, and cells comprising such vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Synaptic Pharmaceutical Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe P. G. Gerald, Richard L. Weinshank, Mary W. Walker, Theresa Branchek
  • Antibodies to senescent cell-derived inhibiters of DNA synthesis
    Patent number: 6818215
    Abstract: Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind senescent cell derived inhibitor protein (SDI-1), cell lines that produce such monoclonal antibodies, and the use of such antibodies are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventors: James R. Smith, Asao Noda, Guy Adami