Patents by Inventor John McWhirter

John McWhirter 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: 11026407
    Abstract: A genetically modified mouse is provided, wherein the mouse expresses an immunoglobulin light chain repertoire characterized by a limited number of light chain variable domains. Mice are provided that present a choice of two human light chain variable gene segments such that the immunoglobulin light chains expresses by the mouse comprise one of the two human light chain variable gene segments. Methods for making bispecific antibodies having universal light chains using mice as described herein, including human light chain variable regions, are provided. Methods for making human variable regions suitable for use in multispecific binding proteins, e.g., bispecific antibodies, and host cells are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Regeneran Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Lynn Macdonald, Sean Stevens, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20210161113
    Abstract: Non-human animals, cells, methods and compositions for making and using the same are provided, wherein the non-human animals and cells comprise a humanized a proliferation-inducing ligand gene. Non-human animals and cells that express a human or humanized a proliferation-inducing ligand protein from an endogenous a proliferation-inducing ligand locus are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Cagan Gurer, Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 11000020
    Abstract: Non-human animals, cells, methods and compositions for making and using the same are provided, wherein the non-human animals and cells comprise a humanized B-cell activating factor gene. Non-human animals and cells that express a human or humanized B-cell activating factor protein from an endogenous B-cell activating factor locus are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Cagan Gurer, Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 10986820
    Abstract: A genetically modified mouse is provided, wherein the mouse is incapable of rearranging and expressing an endogenous mouse immunoglobulin light chain variable sequence, wherein the mouse expresses only one or two human light chain variable domains encoded by human immunoglobulin sequences operably linked to the mouse kappa (?) constant gene at the endogenous mouse ? locus, wherein the mouse expresses a reverse chimeric antibody having a light chain variable domain derived from one of only two human light chain variable region gene segments and a mouse ? constant domain, and a human heavy chain variable domain and a mouse heavy chain constant domain, from an endogenous mouse heavy chain locus. Bispecific epitope-binding proteins that are fully human are provided, comprising two different heavy chains that associate with an identical light chain that comprises a variable domain derived from one of two different human light chain variable region gene segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Lynn Macdonald, Sean Stevens, David R. Buckler, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 10980221
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions related to non-human animals that express exogenous Terminal Deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy, Chunguang Guo, Natasha Levenkova, Naxin Tu, John McWhirter, Vera Voronina, Faith Harris
  • Publication number: 20210084872
    Abstract: Genetically modified non-human animals and methods and compositions for making and using them are provided, wherein the genetic modification comprises (a) a deletion in an immunoglobulin constant region CH1 gene (optionally a deletion in a hinge region) of a heavy chain constant region gene sequence, and (b) replacement of one or all endogenous VH, DH and JH gene segments with at least one unrearranged light chain variable (VL) gene segment and at least one unrearranged light chain joining (JL) gene segment capable of recombining to form a rearranged light chain variable region (VL/JL) nucleotide sequence operably linked to the heavy chain constant region gene sequence comprising a deletion in the CH1 gene and/or insertion of a genetically engineered single rearranged light chain, wherein the mouse is capable of expressing a functional IgM, single domain antigen binding proteins, e.g., VL-single domain binding proteins, and a genetically engineered rearranged light chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy, Cagan Gurer, John McWhirter
  • Patent number: 10952416
    Abstract: Non-human animals, cells, methods and compositions for making and using the same are provided, wherein the non-human animals and cells comprise a humanized a proliferation-inducing ligand gene. Non-human animals and cells that express a human or humanized a proliferation-inducing ligand protein from an endogenous a proliferation-inducing ligand locus are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Cagan Gurer, Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20210076648
    Abstract: Non-human animals, e.g., mammals, e.g., mice or rats, are provided comprising an immunoglobulin heavy chain locus that comprises a rearranged human immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region nucleotide sequence. The rearranged human immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region nucleotide sequence may be operably linked to a heavy or light chain constant region nucleic acid sequence. Also described are genetically modified non-human animals comprising an immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising one or more but less than the wild type number of human immunoglobulin light chain variable region gene segments, which may be operably linked to a light chain constant region nucleic acid sequence. Also provided are methods for obtaining nucleic acid sequences that encode immunoglobulin light chain variable domains capable of binding an antigen in the absence of a heavy chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Cagan Gurer, Karolina A. Meagher, Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20210051930
    Abstract: The invention provides a genetically modified non-human animal that comprises in its genome unrearranged T cell receptor variable gene loci, as well as embryos, cells, and tissues comprising the same. Also provided are constructs for making said genetically modified non-human animal and methods of making the same. Various methods of using the genetically modified non-human animal are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy, John McWhirter, Naxin Tu, Vera Voronina, Cagan Gurer, Karolina Meagher, Sean Stevens
  • Publication number: 20210029978
    Abstract: Non-human animals (and/or non-human cells) and methods of using and making the same are provided, which non-human animals (and/or non-human cells) have a genome comprising human antibody-encoding sequences (i.e., immunoglobulin genes). Non-human animals described herein express antibodies that contain human Ig? light chains, in whole or in part. In particular, non-human animals provided herein are, in some embodiments, characterized by expression of antibodies that contain human Ig? light chains, in whole or in part, that are encoded by human Ig? light chain-encoding sequences inserted into an endogenous Ig? light chain locus of said non-human animals. Methods for producing antibodies from non-human animals are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Chunguang Guo, Faith Harris, Vera Voronina, John McWhirter, Natasha Levenkova, Lynn Macdonald, Naxin Tu, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20210009949
    Abstract: BANF1, PPP2CA, and ANKLE2 were identified as genes that promote tau aggregation when disrupted. Improved tauopathy models such as cells, tissues, or animals having mutations in or inhibition of expression of BANF1 and/or PPP2CA and/or ANKLE2 are provided. Methods of using such improved tauopathy models for assessing therapeutic candidates for the treatment of a tauopathy, methods of making the improved tauopathy models, and methods of accelerating or exacerbating tau aggregation in a tauopathy model are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Marine Prissette, Matthew Koss, Mathieu Desclaux, John McWhirter, Arijit Bhowmick, David Frendewey, Brian Zambrowicz
  • Patent number: 10869466
    Abstract: The invention provides genetically modified non-human animals that express chimeric human/non-human MHC I polypeptide and/or human or humanized ?2 microglobulin polypeptide, as well as embryos, cells, and tissues comprising the same. Also provided are constructs for making said genetically modified animals and methods of making the same. Methods of using the genetically modified animals to study various aspects of the human immune system are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Regeneran Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy, Cagan Gurer, John McWhirter, Vera Voronina, Faith Harris, Sean Stevens
  • Publication number: 20200375159
    Abstract: The invention provides genetically modified non-human animals that express chimeric human/non-human MHC I polypeptide and/or human or humanized ?2 microglobulin polypeptide, as well as embryos, cells, and tissues comprising the same. Also provided are constructs for making said genetically modified animals and methods of making the same. Methods of using the genetically modified animals to study various aspects of human immune system are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy, Cagan Gurer, John McWhirter, Vera Voronina, Faith Harris, Sean Stevens, Yingzi Xue
  • Publication number: 20200379216
    Abstract: A laser system including a laser source that generates a laser beam and an optical switch that receives the laser beam and selectively sends the laser beam to either a fast path or a slow path, wherein in the fast path the laser beam has a first F/# and in the slow path the laser beam has a second F/# that is higher in value that of the first F/#. The laser system further including an afocal optical system that is in the slow path and receives the laser beam from the optical switch and an x-y scanner that receives either a first laser beam from the slow path or a second laser beam from the fast path. The laser system including a scan lens system that receives a scanning laser beam from the x-y scanner and performs a z-scan for the scanning laser beam only in the case wherein the scanning laser beam is generated from the laser beam in the fast path. The laser system further including an aspheric patient interface device that receives a laser beam from the scan lens system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Lensar, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Curatu, Rudolph W. Frey, John McWhirter, Steven E. Bott
  • Publication number: 20200375160
    Abstract: The invention provides genetically modified non-human animals that express chimeric human/non-human MHC I polypeptide and/or human or humanized ?2 microglobulin polypeptide, as well as embryos, cells, and tissues comprising the same. Also provided are constructs for making said genetically modified animals and methods of making the same. Methods of using the genetically modified animals to study various aspects of human immune system are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy, Cagan Gurer, John McWhirter, Vera Voronina, Faith Harris, Sean Stevens
  • Patent number: 10820582
    Abstract: Non-human animals (and/or non-human cells) and methods of using and making the same are provided, which non-human animals (and/or non-human cells) have a genome comprising human antibody-encoding sequences (i.e., immunoglobulin genes). Non-human animals described herein express antibodies that contain human Ig? light chains, in whole or in part. In particular, non-human animals provided herein are, in some embodiments, characterized by expression of antibodies that contain human Ig? light chains, in whole or in part, that are encoded by human Ig? light chain-encoding sequences inserted into an endogenous Ig? light chain locus of said non-human animals. Methods for producing antibodies from non-human animals are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Chunguang Guo, Faith Harris, Vera Voronina, John McWhirter, Natasha Levenkova, Lynn Macdonald, Naxin Tu, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 10779520
    Abstract: The invention provides genetically modified non-human animals that express chimeric human/non-human MHC I polypeptide and/or human or humanized ?2 microglobulin polypeptide, as well as embryos, cells, and tissues comprising the same. Also provided are constructs for making said genetically modified animals and methods of making the same. Methods of using the genetically modified animals to study various aspects of human immune system are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy, Cagan Gurer, John McWhirter, Vera Voronina, Faith Harris, Sean Stevens, Yingzi Xue
  • Publication number: 20200281175
    Abstract: Mice, embryos, cells, and tissues having a restricted immunoglobulin heavy chain locus and an ectopic sequence encoding one or more ADAM6 proteins are provided. In various embodiments, mice are described that have humanized endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain loci and are capable of expressing an ADAM6 protein or ortholog or homolog or functional fragment thereof that is functional in a male mouse. Mice, embryos, cells, and tissues having an immunoglobulin heavy chain locus characterized by a single human VH gene segment, a plurality of human DH gene segments and a plurality of human JH gene segments and capable expressing an ADAM6 protein or ortholog or homolog or functional fragment thereof are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Lynn Macdonald, Sean Stevens, Andrew J. Murphy, Margaret Karow, John McWhirter
  • Publication number: 20200277371
    Abstract: Mice having a restricted immunoglobulin heavy chain locus are provided, wherein the locus is characterized by a single polymorphic human VH gene segment, a plurality of human DH gene segments and a plurality of JH gene segments. Methods for making antibody sequences that bind an antigen (e.g., a viral antigen) are provided, comprising immunizing a mouse with an antigen of interest, wherein the mouse comprises a single human VH gene segment, a plurality of human DH gene segments and a plurality of JH gene segments, at the endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain locus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Lynn Macdonald, John McWhirter, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20200208161
    Abstract: Methods are provided herein for assembling at least two nucleic acids using a sequence specific nuclease agent (e.g., a gRNA-Cas complex) to create end sequences having complementarity and subsequently assembling the overlapping complementary sequences. The nuclease agent (e.g., a gRNA-Cas complex) can create double strand breaks in dsDNA in order to create overlapping end sequences or can create nicks on each strand to produce complementary overhanging end sequences. Assembly using the method described herein can assemble any nucleic acids having overlapping sequences or can use a joiner oligo to assemble sequences without complementary ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Schoenherr, John McWhirter, Corey Momont, Caitlin L. Goshert, Lynn Macdonald, Gregg S. Warshaw, Jose F. Rojas, Ka-Man Venus Lai, David M. Valenzuela, Andrew J. Murphy