Patents by Inventor Francis A. Marks

Francis A. Marks 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: 11925709
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising an extrudate or solid solution of a compound, or a salt thereof, of Formula I (API): wherein “Ra” is independently —H or —F, in a water-soluble polymer matrix which further comprises a disintegration system allowing a tablet made therefrom to rapidly disintegrate in the environment in which the API is to be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Mary Ann Johnson, Leonardo Resende Allain, W. Mark Eickhoff, Craig B. Ikeda, Chad D. Brown, Francis J. Flanagan, Jr., Rebecca Nofsinger, Melanie Marota, Lisa Lupton, Paresh B. Patel, Hanmi Xi, Wei Xu
  • Publication number: 20240002443
    Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acids encoding reporting constructs for characterizing botulinum neurotoxin protease activity and cells that incorporate such recombinant nucleic acids and that are suitable for use in cell-based assays for the neurotoxin are provided. The encoded reporting constructs are a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert. The reporting constructs are a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert, and that include a botulinum neurotoxin protease recognition and cleavage sequence positioned to release a fluorophore upon cleavage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Ward C Tucker, Francis Mark Dunning
  • Patent number: 11661442
    Abstract: Vesicles that incorporate reporting constructs for characterizing Botulinum neurotoxin protease activity and suitable for use in an assay are provided. The reporting constructs are a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert. The reporting constructs are a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert, and that include a Botulinum neurotoxin protease recognition and cleavage sequence positioned to release a fluorophore upon cleavage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BioMadison, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C Tucker, Francis Mark Dunning
  • Publication number: 20230143149
    Abstract: Systems are described in which a primary detergent or surfactant in an aqueous solution is removed by the addition of a secondary detergent or surfactant in concentrations that exceed the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the secondary detergent or surfactant using a size separation device. These systems are particularly applicable to protein-containing solutions. Typical primary detergents/surfactants include polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, and Triton X-100. Suitable secondary detergents or surfactants can be ionic, nonionic, or zwitterionic. Typical secondary detergents/surfactants include, but are not limited to, galactoside detergents (e.g. octyl-?-galactoside), glucamide detergents (e.g. MEGA 8, MEGA 9, MEGA 10), cholamide detergents (e.g. CHAPS, CHAPSO, BIGCHAPS), and sulfobetaine detergents (such as sulfobetaine 3-10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Francis Mark Dunning, Ward C. Tucker
  • Patent number: 11578099
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are described in which a primary detergent or surfactant in an aqueous solution is removed by the addition of a secondary detergent or surfactant in concentrations that exceed the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the secondary detergent or surfactant. These compositions and methods are particularly applicable to protein-containing solutions. Typical primary detergents/surfactants include polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, and Triton X-100. Suitable secondary detergents or surfactants can be ionic, nonionic, or zwitterionic. Typical secondary detergents/surfactants include, but are not limited to, galactoside detergents (e.g. octyl-?-galactoside), glucamide detergents (e.g. MEGA 8, MEGA 9, MEGA 10), cholamide detergents (e.g. CHAPS, CHAPSO, BIGCHAPS), and sulfobetaine detergents (such as sulfobetaine 3-10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: BioMadison, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Mark Dunning, Ward C. Tucker
  • Publication number: 20220273776
    Abstract: Methods for treating diseases characterized by elevated secretory activity using a protease directed to a non-neuronal SNARE protein are described. The protease is produced by selective mutation of a botulinum neurotoxin light chain, and is characterized utilizing a reporting construct that includes all or part of the non-neuronal SNARE protein. Such a protease has utility in the treatment of diseases associated with hypersecretion, where the hypersecretion is mediated by a non-neuronal SNARE protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Francis Mark Dunning, Ward Tucker
  • Patent number: 11371178
    Abstract: A portable parts washer for cleaning mechanical parts that includes a washer body having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a wash basin formed within the upper portion having inner sidewalls, a floor panel and at least one drain aperture. The portable parts washer also includes an in-use reservoir formed within the lower portion of the washer body and having a bottom panel spaced from the floor panel and outer sidewalls, and which is configured to receive cleaning fluid from the wash basin through the drain aperture when the floor panel is in a substantially horizontal orientation. The portable parts washer further includes a storage reservoir formed within the upper and lower portions and which is configured to contain the cleaning fluid from the in-use reservoir when the floor panel is rotated to a substantially vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: CRC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis A. Marks, Walter F. Ottmann, Thomas W. McNally
  • Publication number: 20220196634
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for improved cell-based methods of characterizing botulinum neurotoxins are provided. Cells utilized in these methods include a reporting construct that is cleaved following uptake and processing of botulinum neurotoxin by the cell, resulting in proteolysis of the portion of the reporting construct that is released following cleavage. The released portion includes a fluorophore and amino acid substitutions or sequences that enhance the rate of proteolysis. A pair of reporting constructs can be utilized in which one member of the pair is modified to resist cleavage by the botulinum neurotoxin while co-localizing with the remaining member of the pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Piazza, Francis Mark Dunning, Ward C Tucker
  • Patent number: 11357838
    Abstract: A protease directed to a non-neuronal SNARE protein is described. The protease is produced by selective mutation of a botulinum neurotoxin light chain, and is characterized utilizing a reporting construct that includes all or part of the non-neuronal SNARE protein. Such a protease has utility in the treatment of diseases associated with hypersecretion, where the hypersecretion is mediated by a non-neuronal SNARE protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: BioMadison, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Mark Dunning, Ward Tucker
  • Publication number: 20220122900
    Abstract: A synthetic diamond plate comprising a polygonal plate formed of synthetic diamond material, the polygonal plate of synthetic diamond material having a thickness in a range 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm, and rounded corners having a radius of curvature in a range 1 mm to 6 mm. A mounted synthetic diamond plate is also disclosed comprising a polygonal synthetic diamond plate as described and a base to which the polygonal synthetic diamond plate is bonded, wherein the base comprises a cooling channel. An array of mounted synthetic diamond plates is also described, comprising a plurality of mounted synthetic diamond plates described above, wherein the cooling channels of the mounted synthetic diamond plates are linked to form a common cooling channel across the array of mounted synthetic diamond plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: ELEMENT SIX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Julian Ellis, John Brandon, Francis Mark Reininger
  • Patent number: 11211306
    Abstract: A synthetic diamond plate comprising a polygonal plate formed of synthetic diamond material, the polygonal plate of synthetic diamond material having a thickness in a range 0.4 mm to 1. mm, and rounded corners having a radius of curvature in a range 1 mm to 6 mm. A mounted synthetic diamond plate is also disclosed comprising a polygonal synthetic diamond plate as described and a base to which the polygonal synthetic diamond plate is bonded, wherein the base comprises a cooling channel. An array of mounted synthetic diamond plates is also described, comprising a plurality of mounted synthetic diamond plates described above, wherein the cooling channels of the mounted synthetic diamond plates are linked to form a common cooling channel across the array of mounted synthetic diamond plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: ELEMENT SIX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Julian Ellis, John Brandon, Francis Mark Reininger
  • Publication number: 20210269485
    Abstract: Vesicles that incorporate reporting constructs for characterizing Botulinum neurotoxin protease activity and suitable for use in an assay are provided. The reporting constructs are a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert. The reporting constructs are a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert, and that include a Botulinum neurotoxin protease recognition and cleavage sequence positioned to release a fluorophore upon cleavage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Ward C Tucker, Francis Mark Dunning
  • Publication number: 20210118766
    Abstract: A synthetic diamond plate comprising a polygonal plate formed of synthetic diamond material, the polygonal plate of synthetic diamond material having a thickness in a range 0.4 mm to 1. mm, and rounded corners having a radius of curvature in a range 1 mm to 6 mm. A mounted synthetic diamond plate is also disclosed comprising a polygonal synthetic diamond plate as described and a base to which the polygonal synthetic diamond plate is bonded, wherein the base comprises a cooling channel. An array of mounted synthetic diamond plates is also described, comprising a plurality of mounted synthetic diamond plates described above, wherein the cooling channels of the mounted synthetic diamond plates are linked to form a common cooling channel across the array of mounted synthetic diamond plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: ELEMENT SIX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: JULIAN ELLIS, JOHN BRANDON, FRANCIS MARK REININGER
  • Patent number: 10975125
    Abstract: Reporting constructs for characterizing Botulinum neurotoxin protease activity and suitable for use in a cell-based assay are provided. The reporting construct can be a single recombinant hybrid protein or a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert. The recombinant hybrid protein(s) include a fluorophore and an N-terminal non-peptide membrane anchoring portion. The recombinant hybrid protein or at least one of a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert include a Botulinum neurotoxin protease recognition and cleavage sequence positioned to release a fluorophore upon cleavage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: BioMadison, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C Tucker, Francis Mark Dunning
  • Publication number: 20200291065
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are described in which a primary detergent or surfactant in an aqueous solution is removed by the addition of a secondary detergent or surfactant in concentrations that exceed the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the secondary detergent or surfactant. These compositions and methods are particularly applicable to protein-containing solutions. Typical primary detergents/surfactants include polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, and Triton X-100. Suitable secondary detergents or surfactants can be ionic, nonionic, or zwitterionic. Typical secondary detergents/surfactants include, but are not limited to, galactoside detergents (e.g. octyl-?-galactoside), glucamide detergents (e.g. MEGA 8, MEGA 9, MEGA 10), cholamide detergents (e.g. CHAPS, CHAPSO, BIGCHAPS), and sulfobetaine detergents (such as sulfobetaine 3-10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Francis Mark DUNNING, Ward C. Tucker
  • Publication number: 20200215585
    Abstract: A portable parts washer for cleaning mechanical parts that includes a washer body having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a wash basin formed within the upper portion having inner sidewalls, a floor panel and at least one drain aperture. The portable parts washer also includes an in-use reservoir formed within the lower portion of the washer body and having a bottom panel spaced from the floor panel and outer sidewalls, and which is configured to receive cleaning fluid from the wash basin through the drain aperture when the floor panel is in a substantially horizontal orientation. The portable parts washer further includes a storage reservoir formed within the upper and lower portions and which is configured to contain the cleaning fluid from the in-use reservoir when the floor panel is rotated to a substantially vertical orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Francis A. Marks, Walter F. Ottmann, Thomas W. McNally
  • Patent number: 10618081
    Abstract: A portable parts washer for cleaning mechanical parts that includes a washer body having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a wash basin formed within the upper portion having inner sidewalls, a floor panel and at least one drain aperture. The portable parts washer also includes an in-use reservoir formed within the lower portion of the washer body and having a bottom panel spaced from the floor panel and outer sidewalls, and which is configured to receive cleaning fluid from the wash basin through the drain aperture when the floor panel is in a substantially horizontal orientation. The portable parts washer further includes a storage reservoir formed within the upper and lower portions and which is configured to contain the cleaning fluid from the in-use reservoir when the floor panel is rotated to a substantially vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: ChemFree Corporation
    Inventors: Francis A. Marks, Walter F. Ottmann, Thomas W. McNally
  • Publication number: 20200109174
    Abstract: Reporting constructs for characterizing Botulinum neurotoxin protease activity and suitable for use in a cell-based assay are provided. The reporting construct can be a single recombinant hybrid protein or a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert. The recombinant hybrid protein(s) include a fluorophore and an N-terminal non-peptide membrane anchoring portion. The recombinant hybrid protein or at least one of a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert include a Botulinum neurotoxin protease recognition and cleavage sequence positioned to release a fluorophore upon cleavage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Ward C. Tucker, Francis Mark Dunning
  • Publication number: 20190381153
    Abstract: A protease directed to a non-neuronal SNARE protein is described. The protease is produced by selective mutation of a botulinum neurotoxin light chain, and is characterized utilizing a reporting construct that includes all or part of the non-neuronal SNARE protein. Such a protease has utility in the treatment of diseases associated with hypersecretion, where the hypersecretion is mediated by a non-neuronal SNARE protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Francis Mark Dunning, Ward Tucker
  • Patent number: 10508135
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for analyzing protease activity, and especially BoNT/B, BoNT/G, BoNT/D, and/or BoNT/F protease activity, using a cell based assay are provided. Cells express at least two recombinant hybrid proteins each of which includes a fluorophore and a membrane anchoring peptide, and at least one of which includes a BoNT protease recognition and cleavage sequence positioned to release a fluorophore upon cleavage. Analysis is performed by monitoring fluorescence following exposure to a BoNT. The fluorophores are positioned so that no useful FRET occurs between them, permitting fluorescence produced by the non-released fluorophore to be used in data normalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BIOMADISON, INC.
    Inventors: Ward C Tucker, Francis Mark Dunning