Patents by Inventor David Epstein

David Epstein 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).

  • Publication number: 20060193821
    Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods to treat immune disease in which cytokines are involved in pathogenesis. The materials and methods of the present invention are useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The materials and methods of the present invention are directed to nucleic acid ligands capable of binding to human IL-23 and/or human IL-12 cytokines and thus modulate their biological activity and are useful as therapeutic agents in immune, auto-immune and cancer therapeutics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: John Diener, David Epstein, Alicia Ferguson, Nobuko Hamaguchi, H.A. Lagasse, Shannon Pendergrast, Pooja Sawhney, Kristin Thompson
  • Publication number: 20060148074
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cell culture medium formulation that supports the in vitro cultivation, particularly in suspension, of mammalian cells, particularly epithelial cells and fibroblast cells, and methods for cultivating mammalian cells in suspension in vitro using these media. The media comprise a basal medium and a polyanionic or polyanionic compound, preferably a polysulfonated or polysulfated compound, and more preferably dextran sulfate. The present invention also provides chemically defined, protein-free eukaryotic cell culture media comprising an iron chelate and zinc, which is capable of supporting the growth (and particularly the high-density growth of mammalian cells) in suspension culture, increasing the level of expression of recombinant protein in cultured cells, and/or increasing virus production in cultured cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Stephen Gorfien, Richard Fike, Glenn Godwin, Joyce Dzimian, David Epstein, Dale Gruber, Don McClure, Paul Price
  • Publication number: 20060135609
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ophthamological drugs. More specifically, the inventon relates to a method of modifying (derivatizing) ophthamological drugs so as to increase their penetration through the cornea. The invention also relates to drugs modified (derivatized) in accordance with the instant method and to the use of same in treating conditions associated with elevated intraocular pressure, particularly, glaucoma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Applicant: Duke University
    Inventors: Eric Toone, David Epstein, Pratap Challa, Phillip Snyder, Xin Chen, Mitchell deLong
  • Publication number: 20060105980
    Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid therapeutics and methods for using these nucleic acid therapeutics in the treatment of complement-related disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Claude Benedict, John Diener, David Epstein, Dilara Grate, Sara Keene, Jeffrey Kurz, Markus Kurz, Thomas McCauley, James Rottman, Kristin Thompson, Charles Wilson, Anna Zoltoski
  • Publication number: 20060105975
    Abstract: Materials and methods are provided to modulate, in a controlled manner, the intracellular deliver of therapeutic agents, including therapeutic oligonucleotides using nucleic acid aptamers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Shannon Pendergrast, David Epstein, Anthony Keefe
  • Publication number: 20060094113
    Abstract: Chemically defined media compositions for the culture of eukaryotic cells are disclosed. The compositions are useful for eukaryotic cell culture in perfusion bioreactors and other vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: David Epstein, Roger Monsell, Joseph Horwitz, Susan Lenk, Sadettin Ozturk, Christopher Marsh
  • Publication number: 20060084109
    Abstract: Materials and methods of use thereof are presented for the treatment of diabetes and other diseases. Therapeutic compositions including regulated aptamer therapeutic compositions with specificity to components of diabetes disease are presented with methods of administering these therapeutic compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: David Epstein, Charles Wilson, John Diener
  • Publication number: 20060018871
    Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid therapeutics and methods for using these nucleic acid therapeutics in the treatment of complement-related disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Claude Benedict, John Diener, David Epstein, Dilara Grate, Sara Keene, Jeffrey Kurz, Markus Kurz, Thomas McCauley, James Rottman, Kristin Thompson, Charles Wilson, Anna Zoltoski
  • Publication number: 20050250106
    Abstract: Materials and methods are provided for target validation by gene knock-down with intracellularly expressed aptamers and siRNAs. The aptamers produced by the materials and methods of the invention are useful in target validation for therapeutics development.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: David Epstein, Harold Marsh, Shannon Pendergrast, Kristin Thompson
  • Publication number: 20050193325
    Abstract: A special tool for use in manipulating electronic information. A projects are manipulated on the computer, wherein each project may comprise one or more documents that are associated with one another. The contents of the documents can be annotated, in a way which makes that contents took different on viewing. The jumping between the different annotations either in the same documents, or in documents associated with the project, is enabled. When the project is closed, the positions of the frames within the project are saved to a single file, which enables that project to be reconstructed on a different computer. In addition, selection of anything within the document allows automatically sending that information to another program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventor: David Epstein
  • Publication number: 20050154727
    Abstract: A computer-based method represents a subset of a dataset table of rows and columns. The method includes selecting a set of blocking variables corresponding to blocking columns of the dataset table. For each row in the dataset table, a tuple of values for the blocking columns uniquely identifies the row within the dataset table. The method also includes selecting a set of non-blocking variables that correspond to columns of the subset. The set of non-blocking variables does not intersect the set of blocking variables. The method also includes creating a block information structure that includes both the set of non-blocking variables and, for each blocking variable in the set of blocking variables, a set of values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Sharyn O'Halloran, David Epstein, Martin Betz
  • Publication number: 20050124565
    Abstract: Materials and methods are provided for producing and using aptamers useful as oncology therapeutics capable of binding to PDGF, PDGF isoforms, PDGF receptor, VEGF, and VEGF receptor or any combination thereof with great affinity and specificity. The compositions of the present invention are particularly useful in solid tumor therapy and can be used alone or in combination with known cytotoxic agents for the treatment of solid tumors. Also disclosed are aptamers having one or more CpG motifs embedded therein or appended thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: John Diener, David Epstein, Alicia Ferguson, Dilara Grate, Anthony Keefe, Thomas McCauley, Jeffrey Preiss, Martin Stanton, Charles Wilson
  • Publication number: 20040253679
    Abstract: Materials and methods are provided for producing and using aptamers useful as oncology therapeutics capable of binding to PDGF, PDGF isoforms, PDGF receptor, VEGF, and VEGF receptor or any combination thereof with great affinity and specificity. The compositions of the present invention are particularly useful in solid tumor therapy and can be used alone or in combination with known cytotoxic agents for the treatment of solid tumors. Also disclosed are aptamers having one or more CpG motifs embedded therein or appended thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: David Epstein, Dilara Grate, Martin Stanton, John L. Diener, Charles Wilson, Thomas McCauley, Errol DeSouza
  • Publication number: 20040253243
    Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid therapeutic compositions capable of binding to cytokines, growth factors and cell surface proteins, individually or in combinations of two or more, and methods for delivering these nucleic acid therapeutics in the treatment of glaucoma and other proliferative diseases of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: David Epstein, Dilara Grate, Jeffrey Kurz, Nicholas Marsh, Thomas Greene McCauley, Charles Wilson
  • Publication number: 20040219523
    Abstract: Methods for engineering a nucleic acid sensor molecule are provided. Biosensors comprise a plurality of nucleic acid sensor molecules labeled with a first signaling moiety and a second signaling moiety. The nucleic acid sensor molecules recognizes target molecules which do not naturally bind to DNA. Binding of a target molecule to the sensor molecules triggers a change in the proximity of the signaling moieties which leads to a change in the optical properties of the nucleic acid sensor molecules on the biosensor. Reagents and systems for performing the method are also provided. The method is useful in diagnostic applications and drug optimization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Martin Stanton, David Epstein, Nobuko Hamaguchi, Markus Kurz, Tony Keefe, Charles Wilson, Dilara Grate, Kristin A. Marshall, Thomas G. McCauley, Jeffrey C. Kurz
  • Publication number: 20040214327
    Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to metal binding compounds which may be added to cell culture media to replace factors required for cultivation of the cells (e.g. transferrin) which are of animal or human origin. More specifically, the invention is directed to metal binding compounds or complexes thereof comprising one or more transition element cations (such as ferrous or ferric ions), which are added to cell and tissue culture medium compositions. The metal binding compounds may be added to the media alone or may be first complexed with a transition metal ion. The invention is also directed to methods of use of such compositions, including, for example, methods for the cultivation of eukaryotic cells, particularly animal cells, in vitro. The invention also relates to compositions comprising such culture media and one or more cells, and to kits comprising one or more of the above-described compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: David A. Epstein, Paul J. Battista, Dale F. Gruber, David A. Judd
  • Publication number: 20040180360
    Abstract: Materials and methods are provided for producing aptamer therapeutics having improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, as well as increased target valency. The aptamers produced by the methods of the invention are useful as therapeutics for treating disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Charles Wilson, David Epstein, Jeffrey Kurz
  • Patent number: 6767741
    Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to metal binding compounds which may be added to cell culture media to replace factors required for cultivation of the cells (e.g. transferrin) which are of animal or human origin. More specifically, the invention is directed to metal binding compounds or complexes thereof comprising one or more transition element cations (such as ferrous or ferric ions), which are added to cell and tissue culture medium compositions. The metal binding compounds may be added to the media alone or may be first complexed with a transition metal ion. The invention is also directed to methods of use of such compositions, including, for example, methods for the cultivation of eukaryotic cells, particularly animal cells, in vitro. The invention also relates to compositions comprising such culture media and one or more cells, and to kits comprising one or more of the above-describcd compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Invitrogen Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Epstein, Paul J. Battista, Dale F. Gruber, David A. Judd
  • Publication number: 20040137010
    Abstract: Materials and methods of use thereof are presented for the prophylactic treatment of HIV. Therapeutic compositions including regulated aptamer therapeutic compositions with specificity to components of HIV disease are presented with methods of administering these therapeutic compositions as vaccines against HIV infection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Charles Wilson, David Epstein, John L. Diener
  • Publication number: 20040137429
    Abstract: Materials and methods of use thereof are presented for the treatment or diagnosis of HIV. The materials are aptamers that bind to gp41, CCR5 or other HIV viral targets that are involved in the formation of the gp41 fusion-active intermediate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: David Epstein, Jill Blanchard, Charles Wilson, John L. Diener