Patents by Inventor Debra M. Eckert

Debra M. Eckert 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: 7960504
    Abstract: Inhibitors of HIV membrane fusion and a method of identifying drugs or agents which inhibit binding of the N-helix coiled-coil and the C helix of HIV gp41 envelope protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Debra M. Eckert, David C. Chan, Vladimir Malashkevich, Peter A. Carr, Peter S. Kim
  • Patent number: 7811578
    Abstract: Described herein are chimeric peptides comprising a soluble trimeric coiled-coil and all or a portion of the N-peptide region of HIV gp41. These molecules are stable, trimeric coiled-coils that inhibit HIV entry into cells, such as human cells. Such peptides can be further assessed to demonstrate their ability to serve as potent anti-HIV therapeutic molecules and thus, as therapeutic molecules or drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Debra M. Eckert, Tara R. Suntoke, Peter S. Kim
  • Patent number: 7744887
    Abstract: Human scFvs are disclosed which interact with a conformational epitope along the pre-hairpin, N-helix coiled coil structure within the heptad repeat 1 (HR1) region of gp41 of HIV. These antibodies, as well as IgG conversions, are shown to neutralize diverse HIV isolates. Isolated nucleic acid molecules are also disclosed which encode relevant portions of these antibodies, as well as the purified forms of the expressed antibodies or relevant antibody fragments, such as VH and VL chains. The antibody compositions disclosed within this specification may provide for a therapeutic treatment against HIV infection by reducing viral load levels within an infected individual, thus prolonging the asymptomatic phase of HIV infection. These antibodies will also be useful in assays to identify HIV antiviral compounds as well as allowing for the identification of candidate HIV vaccines, such as HIV peptide vaccines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehead Insitute of Biomedical Research, MedImmune Limited, Istitute di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti S.p.A.
    Inventors: John W. Shiver, Michael D. Miller, Romas Geleziunas, Daria J. Hazuda, Peter S. Kim, Debra M. Eckert, Michael J. Root, Simon N. Lennard, Elisabetta Bianchi
  • Publication number: 20080269462
    Abstract: Described herein are chimeric peptides comprising a soluble trimeric coiled-coil and all or a portion of the N-peptide region of HIV gp41. These molecules are stable, trimeric coiled-coils that inhibit HIV entry into cells, such as human cells. Such peptides can be further assessed to demonstrate their ability to serve as potent anti-HIV therapeutic molecules and thus, as therapeutic molecules or drugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Debra M. Eckert, Tara R. Suntoke, Peter S. Kim
  • Patent number: 7226598
    Abstract: Described herein are chimeric peptides comprising a soluble trimeric coiled-coil and all or a portion of the N-peptide region of HIV gp41. These molecules are stable, trimeric coiled-coils that inhibit HIV entry into cells, such as human cells. Such peptides can be further assessed to demonstrate their ability to serve as potent anti-HIV therapeutic molecules and thus, as therapeutic molecules or drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Debra M. Eckert, Tara R. Suntoke, Peter S. Kim
  • Patent number: 6841657
    Abstract: Inhibitors of HIV membrane fusion and a method of identifying drugs or agents which inhibit binding of the N-helix coiled-coil and the C helix of HIV gp41 envelope protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Debra M. Eckert, David C. Chan, Vladimir Malashkevich, Peter A. Carr, Peter S. Kim
  • Patent number: 6818740
    Abstract: Inhibitors of HIV membrane fusion and a method of identifying drugs or agents which inhibit binding of the N-helix coiled-coil and the C helix of HIV gp41 envelope protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Debra M. Eckert, David C. Chan, Vladimir N. Malashkevich, Peter A. Carr, Peter S. Kim
  • Patent number: 6747126
    Abstract: Described herein are chimeric peptides comprising a soluble trimeric coiled-coil and all or a portion of the N-peptide region of HIV gp41. These molecules are stable, trimeric coiled-coils that inhibit HIV entry into cells, such as human cells. Such peptides can be further assessed to demonstrate their ability to serve as potent anti-HIV therapeutic molecules and thus, as therapeutic molecules or drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Debra M. Eckert, Tara R. Suntoke, Peter S. Kim
  • Publication number: 20040044183
    Abstract: Described herein are chimeric peptides comprising a soluble trimeric coiled-coil and all or a portion of the N-peptide region of HIV gp41. These molecules are stable, trimeric coiled-coils that inhibit HIV entry into cells, such as human cells. Such peptides can be further assessed to demonstrate their ability to serve as potent anti-HIV therapeutic molecules and thus, as therapeutic molecules or drugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Debra M. Eckert, Tara R. Suntoke, Peter S. Kim
  • Publication number: 20020077284
    Abstract: Inhibitors of HIV membrane fusion and a method of identifying drugs or agents which inhibit binding of the N-helix coiled-coil and the C helix of HIV gp41 envelope protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Whitehead Institute For Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Debra M. Eckert, David C. Chan, Vladimir Malashkevich, Peter A. Carr, Peter S. Kim