Patents by Inventor Gretchen M. Unger

Gretchen M. Unger 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: 20220111073
    Abstract: This invention provides nanoparticles containing protein-polynucleotide complexes and methods of manufacture and methods of their use. These particles, when administered to a subject in need, are capable of delivering these complexes to target cells and target intracellular locations where they can perform a therapeutic function. In some embodiments, this therapeutic function includes gene editing, induction of gene skipping, and regulation of gene expression. The instant nanoparticles are generally formed by designing and synthesizing the polynucleotide to according to its intended function, combining it with a protein selected for its substrate specificity and enzymatic function in a manner to form a polynucleotide-protein complex, encapsulating the complexes by dispersion into a water-insoluble surfactant system, optionally adding a targeting ligand, and stabilizing the nanoparticles by crystallization of the ligand to the surface of the nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Gretchen M. Unger, Vicci Korman
  • Patent number: 11235070
    Abstract: This invention provides nanoparticles containing protein-polynucleotide complexes and methods of manufacture and methods of their use. These particles, when administered to a subject in need, are capable of delivering these complexes to target cells and target intracellular locations where they can perform a therapeutic function. In some embodiments, this therapeutic function includes gene editing, induction of gene skipping, and regulation of gene expression. The instant nanoparticles are generally formed by designing and synthesizing the polynucleotide to according to its intended function, combining it with a protein selected for its substrate specificity and enzymatic function in a manner to form a polynucleotide-protein complex, encapsulating the complexes by dispersion into a water-insoluble surfactant system, optionally adding a targeting ligand, and stabilizing the nanoparticles by crystallization of the ligand to the surface of the nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Asklepios Biopharmaceutical, Inc.
    Inventors: Gretchen M. Unger, Vicci Korman
  • Publication number: 20210267897
    Abstract: Disclosed are targeted sub-50 nanometer nanoparticles suitable for delivering bioactive agents of interest, and related compositions, methods, and systems, which improve the manufacturing, stability, efficacy and other aspects of therapeutic nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Unger
  • Patent number: 10987308
    Abstract: Disclosed are targeted sub-50 nanometer nanoparticles suitable for delivering bioactive agents of interest, and related compositions, methods, and systems, which improve the manufacturing, stability, efficacy and other aspects of therapeutic nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: GENESEGUES, INC.
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Unger
  • Publication number: 20200121602
    Abstract: Disclosed are targeted sub-50 nanometer nanoparticles suitable for delivering bioactive agents of interest, and related compositions, methods, and systems, which improve the manufacturing, stability, efficacy and other aspects of therapeutic nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Unger
  • Publication number: 20190270989
    Abstract: This invention provides nanoparticles containing protein-polynucleotide complexes and methods of manufacture and methods of their use. These particles, when administered to a subject in need, are capable of delivering these complexes to target cells and target intracellular locations where they can perform a therapeutic function. In some embodiments, this therapeutic function includes gene editing, induction of gene skipping, and regulation of gene expression. The instant nanoparticles are generally formed by designing and synthesizing the polynucleotide to according to its intended function, combining it with a protein selected for its substrate specificity and enzymatic function in a manner to form a polynucleotide-protein complex, encapsulating the complexes by dispersion into a water-insoluble surfactant system, optionally adding a targeting ligand, and stabilizing the nanoparticles by crystallization of the ligand to the surface of the nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Gretchen M. Unger, Vicci Korman
  • Publication number: 20190151470
    Abstract: This invention provides nanoparticles containing protein-polynucleotide complexes and methods of manufacture and methods of their use. These particles, when administered to a subject in need, are capable of delivering these complexes to target cells and target intracellular locations where they can perform a therapeutic function. In some embodiments, this therapeutic function includes gene editing, induction of gene skipping, and regulation of gene expression. The instant nanoparticles are generally formed by designing and synthesizing the polynucleotide to according to its intended function, combining it with a protein selected for its substrate specificity and enzymatic function in a manner to form a polynucleotide-protein complex, encapsulating the complexes by dispersion into a water-insoluble surfactant system, optionally adding a targeting ligand, and stabilizing the nanoparticles by crystallization of the ligand to the surface of the nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Gretchen M. Unger, Vicci Korman
  • Publication number: 20160058706
    Abstract: Disclosed are targeted sub-50 nanometer nanoparticles suitable for delivering bioactive agents of interest, and related compositions, methods, and systems, which improve the manufacturing, stability, efficacy and other aspects of therapeutic nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Unger
  • Publication number: 20150329862
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for concurrently activating antisense and double-stranded RNase (dsRNase) mechanisms for inhibiting expression of a targeted gene, by delivering a single stranded bifunctional chimeric DNA/RNA oligonucleotide optimized for siRNA activity as well as antisense activity, into the nucleus of a target cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Unger
  • Patent number: 9132148
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for concurrently activating antisense and double-stranded RNase (dsRNase) mechanisms for inhibiting expression of a targeted gene, by delivering a single stranded bifunctional chimeric DNA/RNA oligonucleotide optimized for siRNA activity as well as antisense activity, into the nucleus of a target cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: GeneSegues, Inc.
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Unger
  • Publication number: 20130267577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for concurrently activating antisense and double-stranded RNase (dsRNase) mechanisms for inhibiting expression of a targeted gene, by delivering a single stranded bifunctional chimeric DNA/RNA oligonucleotide optimized for siRNA activity as well as antisense activity, into the nucleus of a target cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Unger
  • Publication number: 20120058180
    Abstract: This disclosure describes liver-specific nanocapsules for specifically targeting liver cells. This disclosure also provides methods of using such liver-specific nanocapsules to deliver one or more cargo moieties to the liver cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Betsy T. Kren, Clifford J. Steer, Gretchen M. Unger
  • Publication number: 20110269813
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for concurrently activating antisense and double-stranded RNase (dsRNase) mechanisms for inhibiting expression of a targeted gene, by delivering a single stranded bifunctional chimeric DNA/RNA oligonucleotide optimized for siRNA activity as well as antisense activity, into the nucleus of a target cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: GENESEGUES, INC.
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Unger
  • Publication number: 20100247662
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the invention relate to the use of small particles in biological systems, including the delivery of biologically active agents to cells or tissues using nanoparticles of less than about 200 nm in approximate diameter. Embodiments include collection of particles having a bioactive component, a surfactant molecule, a biocompatible polymer, and a cell recognition component, wherein the cell recognition component has a binding affinity for a cell recognition target. Compositions and methods of use arc also set forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Unger
  • Publication number: 20100173001
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for forming particles useful for the treatment of hyperproliferative disease. The method includes providing a bioactive component and a metal ion-treated biocompatible polymer component; coating the bioactive component with a surfactant having an HLB value of less than about 6.0 units under conditions which form a coated bioactive component; associating the coated bioactive component with the a metal ion-treated biocompatible polymer under conditions which associate the coated bioactive component with the metal-ion treated biocompatible polymer to form a particle, where the particles have an average diameter of less than about 50 nanometers. Related compositions and methods to treat disease using the particles are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: GENESEGUES, INC.
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Unger
  • Patent number: 7741304
    Abstract: The invention provides for antisense oligonucleotides that hybridize to casein kinase 2 nucleic acid sequences and methods of using such antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit expression of casein kinase 2 and reduce the size of solid tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Joel W. Slaton, Khalil Ahmed, Gretchen M. Unger, Alan Davis, Dan Sloper
  • Publication number: 20090238883
    Abstract: This disclosure describes liver-specific nanocapsules for specifically targeting liver cells. This disclosure also provides methods of using such liver-specific nanocapsules to deliver one or more cargo moieties to the liver cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Betsy T. Kren, Clifford J. Steer, Gretchen M. Unger
  • Publication number: 20080220072
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the invention relate to the use of small particles in biological systems, including the delivery of biologically active agents to cells or tissues using nanoparticles of less than about 200 nm in approximate diameter. Embodiments include collection of particles having a bioactive component, a surfactant molecule, a biocompatible polymer, and a cell recognition component, wherein the cell recognition component has a binding affinity for a cell recognition target. Compositions and methods of use are also set forth, including the use of antisense directed against Protein Kinase CK2, CK2alpha, CK2 alpha?, and CK2 beta.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Gretchen M. Unger, Roderic M.K. Dale, Theresa L. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20080113932
    Abstract: The invention provides for antisense oligonucleotides that hybridize to casein kinase 2 nucleic acid sequences and methods of using such antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit expression of casein kinase 2 and reduce the size of solid tumors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Joel W. Slaton, Khalil Ahmed, Gretchen M. Unger, Alan Davis, Dan Sloper
  • Publication number: 20040137071
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanocapsules and methods of preparing these nanocapsules. The present invention includes a method of forming a surfactant micelle and dispersing the surfactant micelle into an aqueous composition having a hydrophilic polymer to form a stabilized dispersion of surfactant micelles. The method further includes mechanically forming droplets of the stabilized dispersion of surfactant micelles, precipitating the hydrophilic polymer to form precipitated nanocapsules, incubating the nanocapsules to reduce a diameter of the nanocapsules, and filtering or centrifuging the nanocapsules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Genesegues, Inc.
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Unger