Patents by Inventor Benjamin A. Tjoa

Benjamin A. Tjoa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11827903
    Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14? and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Tjoa, Marnix L Bosch
  • Publication number: 20210102169
    Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14? and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Tjoa, Marnix L. Bosch
  • Patent number: 10731130
    Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14 and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHWEST BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Tjoa, Marnix L. Bosch
  • Publication number: 20160024472
    Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14 and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Tjoa, Marnix L. Bosch
  • Patent number: 9102917
    Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14? and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Tjoa, Marnix L. Bosch
  • Publication number: 20130273654
    Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14? and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Tjoa, Marnix L. Bosch
  • Publication number: 20130017600
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for use of human dendritic cells to activate T cells for immunotherapeutic responses against primary and metastatic prostate cancer are disclosed. In one embodiment, human dendritic cells, after exposure to a prostate cancer antigen or specific antigenic peptide, are administered to a prostate cancer patient to activate the relevant T cell responses in vivo. In an alternate embodiment, human dendritic cells are exposed to a prostate cancer antigen or specific antigenic peptide in vitro and incubated or cultured with primed or unprimed T cells to activate the relevant T cell responses in vitro. The activated T cells are then administered to a prostate cancer patient. Methods and compositions for human dendritic cells with extended life span and cryopreserved dendritic cells are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: NORTHWEST BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald P. Murphy, Alton L. Boynton, Benjamin A. Tjoa
  • Patent number: 5788963
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for use of human dendritic cells to activate T cells for immunotherapeutic responses against primary and metastatic prostate cancer are disclosed. In one embodiment, human dendritic cells, after exposure to a prostate cancer antigen or specific antigenic peptide, are administered to a prostate cancer patient to activate the relevant T cell responses in vivo. In an alternate embodiment, human dendritic cells are exposed to a prostate cancer antigen or specific antigenic peptide in vitro and incubated or cultured with primed or unprimed T cells to activate the relevant T cell responses in vitro. The activated T cells are then administered to a prostate cancer patient. Methods and compositions for human dendritic cells with extended life span and cryopreserved dendritic cells are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Pacific Northwest Cancer Foundation
    Inventors: Gerald P. Murphy, Alton L. Boynton, Benjamin A. Tjoa