Patents by Inventor Erin WILLERT

Erin WILLERT 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: 20200231650
    Abstract: The instant invention provides binding proteins (“CD38-binding proteins”) which each comprise (1) a CD38-binding region for cell-targeting and (2) a Shiga toxin A Subunit effector polypeptide (“Shiga toxin effector polypeptide”). The Shiga toxin effector polypeptide components of the CD38-binding proteins may comprise a combination of mutations relative to a wild-type Shiga toxin sequence providing (1) de-immunization and/or (2) a reduction in protease sensitivity; wherein each Shiga toxin effector polypeptide retains one or more Shiga toxin function, such as, e.g., stimulating cellular internalization, directing intracellular routing, catalytic activity, and/or potent cytotoxicity. The CD38-binding proteins may have one or multiple uses, e.g., the selective killing of a specific CD38-expressing cell-type; and more generally, for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers and disorders involving CD38-expressing cells, e.g., in CD38-positive hematopoietic cancers such as multiple myeloma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Nibedita CHATTOPADHYAY, Eric POMA, Erin Willert
  • Publication number: 20200024312
    Abstract: The present invention provides cell-targeting molecules which can deliver a CD8+ T-cell epitope cargo to the MHC class I presentation pathway of a target cell. The cell-targeting molecules of the invention can be used to deliver virtually any CD8+ T-cell epitope from an extracellular space to the MHC class I pathway of a target cell, which may be a malignant cell and/or non-immune cell. The target cell can then display on a cell-surface the delivered CD8+ T-cell epitope complexed with MHC I molecule. The cell-targeting molecules of the invention have uses which include the targeted labeling and/or killing of specific cell-types within a mixture of cell-types, including within a chordate, as well as the stimulation of beneficial immune responses. The cell-targeting molecules of the invention have uses, e.g., in the treatment of a variety of diseases, disorders, and conditions, including cancers, tumors, growth abnormalities, immune disorders, and microbial infections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: MOLECULAR TEMPLATES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric POMA, Erin WILLERT, Sangeetha RAJAGGPALAN, Garrett Lee ROBINSON, Brigitte BRIESCHKE, Jason KIM
  • Publication number: 20200002387
    Abstract: The present invention provides CD20-binding proteins that bind to and rapidly internalize CD20 antigens from a cell surface location to the interior of a cell. CD20-binding proteins of the invention comprise a CD20 binding region and a Shiga toxin effector region. Certain of the disclosed CD20-binding proteins kill cells that express CD20 on their surface. Further, the presently disclosed CD20-binding proteins can comprise additional exogenous materials and are capable of targeted delivery of these additional exogenous materials into the interior of CD20 expressing cells. Such additional materials may include peptides, antigens, enzymes, and polynucleotides. These CD20-binding proteins have uses in methods of internalizing themselves, targeted killing of CD20 expressing cells, delivering exogenous materials into CD20 expressing cells, and treating a variety of diseases involving CD20 expressing cells, such as cancers and immune disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric POMA, Erin WILLERT, Jason KIM, Jack HIGGINS, Sangeetha Rajagopalan
  • Publication number: 20190382755
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of screening libraries of chimeric molecules comprising ribotoxic polypeptides, where screening is based on the interim reduction or elimination of ribotoxicity and the methods can identify cytotoxic molecules, each comprising a binding region and a ribotoxic region which jointly possess a desired assay-selectable characteristic, such as, e.g., binding to a target biomolecule, binding to a target cell, and/or cellular internalization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric POMA, Erin WILLERT, Jason KIM, Jack HIGGINS
  • Publication number: 20190359657
    Abstract: The present invention provides multivalent CD20-binding molecules and compositions thereof, such as enriched compositions comprising large proportions of multivalent CD20-binding molecules relative to monovalent CD20-binding molecules. Certain multivalent CD20-binding molecules of the present invention comprise (i) two or more CD20-binding regions and (ii) one or more Shiga toxin effector polypeptide regions derived from an A Subunit of a member of the Shiga toxin family. Certain multivalent CD20-binding molecules of the present invention, and compositions thereof, have uses for selective killing of specific cell types and as therapeutics for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancers, tumors, and immune disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric POMA, Erin WILLERT, Jason KIM, Jack HIGGINS, Jensing LIU, Rodney FLORES-LEFRANC
  • Patent number: 10450354
    Abstract: The present invention provides CD20-binding proteins that bind to and rapidly internalize CD20 antigens from a cell surface location to the interior of a cell. CD20-binding proteins of the invention comprise a CD20 binding region and a Shiga toxin effector region. Certain of the disclosed CD20-binding proteins kill cells that express CD20 on their surface. Further, the presently disclosed CD20-binding proteins can comprise additional exogenous materials and are capable of targeted delivery of these additional exogenous materials into the interior of CD20 expressing cells. Such additional materials may include peptides, antigens, enzymes, and polynucleotides. These CD20-binding proteins have uses in methods of internalizing themselves, targeted killing of CD20 expressing cells, delivering exogenous materials into CD20 expressing cells, and treating a variety of diseases involving CD20 expressing cells, such as cancers and immune disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Poma, Erin Willert, Jason Kim, Jack Higgins, Sangeetha Rajagopalan
  • Patent number: 10421958
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of screening libraries of chimeric molecules comprising ribotoxic polypeptides, where screening is based on the interim reduction or elimination of ribotoxicity and the methods can identify cytotoxic molecules, each comprising a binding region and a ribotoxic region which jointly possess a desired assay-selectable characteristic, such as, e.g., binding to a target biomolecule, binding to a target cell, and/or cellular internalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: MOLECULAR TEMPLATES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Poma, Erin Willert, Jason Kim, Jack Higgins
  • Patent number: 10392425
    Abstract: The present invention provides multivalent CD20-binding molecules, and compositions thereof, such as enriched compositions comprising large proportions of multivalent CD20-binding molecule relative to monovalent CD20-binding molecule. Certain multivalent CD20-binding molecules of the present invention comprise 1) two or more CD20 binding regions and 2) one or more Shiga toxin effector polypeptide regions derived from an A Subunit of a member of the Shiga toxin family. Certain multivalent CD20-binding molecules of the present invention, and compositions thereof, have uses for selective killing specific cell types and as therapeutics for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancers, tumors, and immune disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Poma, Erin Willert, Jason Kim, Jack Higgins, Jensing Liu, Rodney Flores-Lefranc
  • Publication number: 20190153044
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to T-cell epitope delivering polypeptides which deliver one or more CD8+ T-cell epitopes to the MHC class I presentation pathway of a cell, including toxin-derived polypeptides which comprise embedded T-cell epitopes and are de-immunized. The present invention provides cell-targeted, CD8+ T-cell epitope delivering molecules for the targeted delivery of cytotoxicity to certain cells, e.g., infected or malignant cells, for the targeted killing of specific cell types, and the treatment of a variety of diseases, disorders, and conditions, including cancers, immune disorders, and microbial infections. The present invention also provides methods of generating polypeptides capable of delivering one or more heterologous T-cell epitopes to the MHC class I presentation pathway, including polypeptides which are 1) B-cell and/or CD4+ T-cell de-immunized, 2) comprise embedded T-cell epitopes, and/or 3) comprises toxin effectors which retain toxin functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: MOLECULAR TEMPLATES, INC.
    Inventors: ERIC POMA, ERIN WILLERT
  • Publication number: 20180291359
    Abstract: The present invention provides cell-targeting molecules comprising binding regions for cell-type specific targeting and Shiga toxin A Subunit effector regions for Shiga toxin effector functions, wherein the Shiga toxin effector regions are at and/or proximal to an amino-terminus of a polypeptide component of the cell targeted molecule, and optionally comprising a disrupted, furin-cleavage motif between the Shiga toxin effector region and the binding region. The cell-targeting molecules of the invention exhibit a more optimized cytotoxicity and/or improved, in vivo tolerability as compared to related molecules comprising less amino-terminus proximal, Shiga toxin effector regions and/or furin-cleavage sensitive, wild-type, Shiga toxin effector regions. The cell targeting molecules of the invention have uses, such as, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Poma, Erin Willert, Jack Higgins, Jason Kim
  • Publication number: 20180258144
    Abstract: The present invention provides cytotoxic proteins comprising immunoglobulin-type binding regions for mediating cell-type specific targeting and Shiga toxin effector regions derived from A Subunits of members of the Shiga toxin family for effectuating cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic proteins have uses for selective killing of specific cell types and as therapeutics for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancers, immune disorders, and microbial infections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric POMA, Erin WILLERT, Jason KIM, Jack HIGGINS
  • Publication number: 20180258143
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Shiga toxin A Subunit derived polypeptides and cell-targeting molecules comprising amino acid substitutions which equip the polypeptides with 1) de-immunization; 2) reduced, protease-cleavage sensitivity; and/or 3) a heterologous epitope cargo(s) while retaining Shiga toxin function(s), such as, e.g., potent cytotoxicity. Certain polypeptides of the invention exhibit reduced immunogenic potential in mammals and/or are capable of delivering an epitope to an MHC class molecule of a cell in which the polypeptide is present. Certain molecules comprising a polypeptide of the invention are well-tolerated by mammals while retaining one or more of the features mentioned above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric POMA, Erin WILLERT, Garrett Lee ROBINSON, Sangeetha RAJAGOPALAN, Brigitte BRIESCHKE
  • Publication number: 20180243432
    Abstract: The present invention provides cell-targeting molecules which can deliver a CD8+ T-cell epitope cargo to the MHC class I presentation pathway of the cell. The cell-targeting molecules of the invention can be used to deliver virtually any CD8+ T-cell epitope from an extracellular space to the MHC class I pathway of a target cell, which may be a malignant cell and/or non-immune cell. The target cell can then display on a cell-surface the delivered CD8+ T-cell epitope complexed with MHC I molecule. The cell-targeting molecules of the invention have uses which include the targeted labeling and/or killing of specific cell-types within a mixture of cell-types, including within a chordate, as well as the stimulation of beneficial immune responses. The cell-targeting molecules of the invention have uses, e.g., in the treatment of a variety of diseases, disorders, and conditions, including cancers, tumors, growth abnormalities, immune disorders, and microbial infections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric POMA, Erin WILLERT, Jason KIM
  • Publication number: 20180057544
    Abstract: The present invention provides multivalent CD20-binding molecules, and compositions thereof, such as enriched compositions comprising large proportions of multivalent CD20-binding molecule relative to monovalent CD20-binding molecule. Certain multivalent CD20-binding molecules of the present invention comprise 1) two or more CD20 binding regions and 2) one or more Shiga toxin effector polypeptide regions derived from an A Subunit of a member of the Shiga toxin family. Certain multivalent CD20-binding molecules of the present invention, and compositions thereof, have uses for selective killing specific cell types and as therapeutics for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancers, tumors, and immune disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc
    Inventors: Eric POMA, Erin WILLERT, Jason KIM, Jack HIGGINS, Jensing LIU, Rodney FLORES-LEFRANC
  • Publication number: 20170275382
    Abstract: The present invention provides multivalent CD20-binding molecules, and compositions thereof, such as enriched compositions comprising large proportions of multivalent CD20-binding molecule relative to monovalent CD20-binding molecule. Certain multivalent CD20-binding molecules of the present invention comprise 1) two or more CD20 binding regions and 2) one or more Shiga toxin effector polypeptide regions derived from an A Subunit of a member of the Shiga toxin family. Certain multivalent CD20-binding molecules of the present invention, and compositions thereof, have uses for selective killing specific cell types and as therapeutics for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancers, tumors, and immune disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Poma, Erin Willert, Jason Kim, Jack Higgins, Jensing Liu, Rodney Flores-Lefranc
  • Publication number: 20170143814
    Abstract: The present invention provides cell-targeting molecules which can deliver a CD8+ T-cell epitope cargo to the MHC class I presentation pathway of the cell. The cell-targeting molecules of the invention can be used to deliver virtually any CD8+ T-cell epitope from an extracellular space to the MHC class I pathway of a target cell, which may be a malignant cell and/or non-immune cell. The target cell can then display on a cell-surface the delivered CD8+ T-cell epitope complexed with MHC I molecule. The cell-targeting molecules of the invention have uses which include the targeted labeling and/or killing of specific cell-types within a mixture of cell-types, including within a chordate, as well as the stimulation of beneficial immune responses. The cell-targeting molecules of the invention have uses, e.g., in the treatment of a variety of diseases, disorders, and conditions, including cancers, tumors, growth abnormalities, immune disorders, and microbial infections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: MOLECULAR TEMPLATES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Poma, Erin Willert, Jason Kim
  • Publication number: 20170101636
    Abstract: The present invention provides protease-cleavage resistant molecules comprising Shiga toxin effector polypeptides capable of exhibiting potent, Shiga toxin functions (e.g. subcellular routing and cytotoxicity). The present invention also provides protease-cleavage resistant, cell-targeting molecules for targeting specific cell types, e.g., infected or malignant cells. Certain molecules of the present invention are cytotoxic, and certain cell-targeting molecules of the present invention may be used for the targeted killing of specific cell types and the treatment of a variety of diseases, disorders, and conditions, including cancers, tumors, growth abnormalities, immune disorders, and microbial infections. Certain cell-targeting molecules of the invention exhibit improved, in vivo tolerability as compared to related cell-targeted molecules comprising protease-cleavage sensitive, wild-type, Shiga toxin effector polypeptides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Poma, Erin Willert, Jack Higgins, Jason Kim
  • Publication number: 20170002046
    Abstract: The present invention provides proteins comprising binding regions for cell-type specific targeting, Shiga toxin effector regions derived from A Subunits of members of the Shiga toxin family for providing Shiga toxin effector functions (e.g. cellular internalization and cytotoxicity), and carboxy-terminal endoplasmic reticulum localization signal motifs. The presently disclosed proteins can comprise additional exogenous materials, such as, e.g., antigens, cytotoxic agents, and detection-promoting agents, and are capable of targeted delivery of these additional exogenous materials into the interiors of target cells. The proteins of the present invention have uses in methods such as, e.g., methods involving targeted killing of target cells, delivering exogenous materials into target cells, labeling subcellular compartments of target cells, and diagnosing and/or treating a variety of conditions including cancers, tumors, other growth abnormalities, immune disorders, and microbial infections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Poma, Erin Willert, Jason Kim, Jack Higgins
  • Publication number: 20160376328
    Abstract: The present invention provides proteins comprising immunoglobulin-type binding regions for cell-type specific targeting and Shiga toxin A Subunit effector regions for Shiga toxin effector functions (e.g. cellular internalization, directing subcellular routing, and/or cytotoxicity), wherein the binding regions and Shiga toxin effector regions are combined such that the Shiga toxin effector regions are proximal to the amino-terminals of the proteins. The presently disclosed proteins can comprise additional exogenous materials, such as, e.g., antigens, cytotoxic agents, and detection-promoting agents, and are capable of targeted delivery of these additional exogenous materials into the interiors of target cells. The proteins of the present invention have uses in methods such as, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Poma, Erin Willert
  • Publication number: 20160355803
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of screening libraries of chimeric molecules comprising ribotoxic polypeptides, where screening is based on the interim reduction or elimination of ribotoxicity and the methods can identify cytotoxic molecules, each comprising a binding region and a ribotoxic region which jointly possess a desired assay-selectable characteristic, such as, e.g., binding to a target biomolecule, binding to a target cell, and/or cellular internalization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: Molecular Templates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Poma, Erin Willert, Jason Kim, Jack Higgins