Patents by Inventor Donald R. Drake, III

Donald R. Drake, III 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: 20090104221
    Abstract: The present invention comprises the use of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) or FDC-like cells to generate FDC-dependent, but T cell-independent, B cell responses to T cell-dependent antigens, with antigen-specific and polyclonal antibody production in ˜48 h. In another embodiment, a germinal center (GC) lymphoid tissue equivalent (LTE) was used to generate antigen-specific IgM, followed by switching to IgG. The GC LTE model can be used in vaccine assessment. Dual forms of immunogen were used in the GC LTE and in vivo. Dual immunogens resulted in rapid, specific IgM responses and enhanced IgG responses. This vaccine design approach can be used, for example, to provide rapid IgM protection (˜24-48 h) and high-affinity IgG more quickly in people moving to areas with endemic disease, or in people with T cell insufficiencies, who can be immunized to rapidly generate protective IgM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Mohey Eldin Moustafa El Shikh, Rania El Sayed, Andras K. Szakal, John G. Tew, Donald R. Drake, III, Vaughan Wittman, Jennifer Eatrides, William L. Warren