Abstract: The invention provides a grafted antibody, or functional fragment thereof, comprising one or more complementarity determining regions (CDRs) having at least one amino acid substitution in one or more CDRs of a heavy chain CDR, where the grafted antibody or functional fragment thereof has specific binding activity for a cryptic collagen epitope. The invention also provides methods of using an antibody having specific binding activity for a cryptic collagen epitope, including methods of inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptide Fe region variants and oligonucleotides encoding Fc region variants. Specifically, the present invention provides compositions comprising novel Fc region variants, methods for identifying useful Fc region variants, and methods for employing Fc region variants for treating disease.

Abstract: Ultra high affinity antibodies with binding affinities in the range of 1010 M−1, and even 1011 M−1 are disclosed. Such antibodies include antibodies having novel high affinity complementarity determining regions (CDRs), especially those with framework and constant regions derived from either humans or mice. Methods of preparing and screening such antibodies, as well as methods of using them to prevent and/or treat disease, especially virus-induced diseases, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides tumor-specific human monoclonal antibodies and functional fragments. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding tumor-specific human monoclonal antibodies and functional fragments. A method for reducing neoplastic cell proliferation is also provided. The method consists of administering an effective amount of a tumor-specific human monoclonal antibody or functional fragment. Also provided is a method of detecting a neoplastic cell in a sample. The method consists of contacting a cell with a tumor-specific monoclonal antibody or functional fragment and detecting the specific binding of the human monoclonal antibody or functional fragment to the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides twenty-one butyrylcholinesterase variants having increased cocaine hydrolysis activity as well as the corresponding encoding nucleic acids. The invention further provides methods of hydrolyzing a cocaine-based butyrylcholinesterase substrate as well as methods of treating a cocaine-induced condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of conferring donor CDR binding affinity onto an antibody acceptor variable region framework. The invention also provides a method of simultaneously grafting and optimizing the binding affinity of a variable region binding fragment. A method of optimizing the binding affinity of an antibody variable region is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a grafted antibody, or functional fragment thereof, comprising one or more complementarity determining regions (CDRs) having at least one amino acid substitution in one or more CDRs of a heavy chain CDR, where the grafted antibody or functional fragment thereof has specific binding activity for a cryptic collagen epitope. The invention also provides methods of using an antibody having specific binding activity for a cryptic collagen epitope, including methods of inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying a binding molecule having selective affinity for a ligand. The method consists of selectively immobilizing a diverse population of binding molecules to a solid support, simultaneously contacting the diverse population immobilized on the solid support with two or more ligands and determining at least one binding molecule which selectively binds to one or more of the ligands. The invention additionally provides a method for identifying an antibody having selective affinity for a tumor antigen. The method consists of selectively immobilizing a diverse population of antibodies to a solid support, simultaneously contacting the diverse population immobilized on the solid support with two or more tumor antigens and determining at least one antibody which selectively binds to one or more of the tumor antigens. The invention also provides an isolated binding polypeptide selective for a tumor antigen.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reducing the proliferation of a neoplastic cell. The method consists of contacting the neoplastic cell with a cytotoxic or cytostatic binding agent specifically reactive with an aberrantly expressed vesicular membrane associated neoplastic cell specific internalizing antigen. The neoplastic cell specific internalizing anitgen can be selected from the group consisting of lamp-2 and limp II families of lysosomal integral membrane proteins. Also provided is a method of intracellular targeting of a cytotoxic or cytostatic agent to a neoplastic cell population.

Abstract: Ultra high affinity antibodies with binding affinities in the range of 1010 M−1, and even 1011 M−1 are disclosed. Such antibodies include antibodies having novel high affinity complementarity determining regions (CDRs), especially those with framework and constant regions derived from either humans or mice. Methods of preparing and screening such antibodies, as well as methods of using them to prevent and/or treat disease, especially virus-induced diseases, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides four butyrylcholinesterase variants having increased cocaine hydrolysis activity as well as the corresponding encoding nucleic acids. The invention also provides libraries comprising butyrylcholinesterase variants having at least one amino acid alteration in one or more regions of butyrylcholinesterase and further having at least one butyrylcholinesterase variant exhibiting enhanced cocaine hydrolysis activity compared to butyrylcholinesterase. The invention further provides methods of hydrolyzing a cocaine-based butyrylcholinesterase substrate as well as methods of treating a cocaine-induced condition.

Abstract: High potency antibodies, including immunologically active fragments thereof, having high kinetic association rate constants and optional high affinities are disclosed, along with methods for producing such antibodies. The high potency antibodies disclosed herein are of either the neutralizing or non-neutralizing type and have specificity for antigens displayed by microorganisms, especially viruses, as well as antigenic sites present on cancer cells and on various types of toxins, and the products of toxins. Processes for producing high potency neutralizing antibodies and increasing the potency of already existing neutralizing antibodies are also described. Methods of using said antibodies in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases, especially diseases induced or caused by viruses, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reducing the proliferation of a neoplastic cell. The method consists of contacting the neoplastic cell with a cytotoxic or cytostatic binding agent specifically reactive with an aberrantly expressed vesicular membrane associated neoplastic cell specific internalizing antigen. The neoplastic cell specific internalizing anitgen can be selected from the group consisting of lamp-2 and limp II families of lysosomal integral membrane proteins. Also provided is a method of intracellular targeting of a cytotoxic or cytostatic agent to a neoplastic cell population.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reducing the proliferation of a neoplastic cell. The method consists of contacting the neoplastic cell with a cytotoxic or cytostatic binding agent specifically reactive with an aberrantly expressed vesicular membrane associated neoplastic cell specific internalizing antigen. The neoplastic cell specific internalizing anitgen can be selected from the group consisting of lamp-2 and limp II families of lysosomal integral membrane proteins. Also provided is a method of intracellular targeting of a cytotoxic or cytostatic agent to a neoplastic cell population.

Abstract: The Applicants have discovered humanized anti-human CD40 antibodies which block the interaction between gp39 and CD40. The anti-CD40 antibodies of the present invention are effective in modulating humoral immune responses against T cell-dependent antigens, collagen induced arthritis, and skin transplantation, and are also useful for their anti-inflammatory properties.