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).

  • Publication number: 20150143561
    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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Cagan Gurer, Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20150143558
    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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Cagan Gurer, Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20150143559
    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: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Cagan Gurer, Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20150119556
    Abstract: A genetically modified non-human animal is provided, wherein the non-human animal expresses an antibody repertoire capable of pH dependent binding to antigens upon immunization. A genetically modified non-human animal is provided that expresses human immunoglobulin light chain variable domains derived from a limited repertoire of human immunoglobulin light chain variable gene segments that comprise histidine modifications in their germline sequence. Methods of making non-human animals that express antibodies comprising histidine residues encoded by histidine codons introduced into immunoglobulin light chain nucleotide sequences are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: John MCWHIRTER, Lynn MACDONALD, Andrew J. MURPHY
  • Publication number: 20150088175
    Abstract: A patient interface device for use with a laser surgery apparatus, the device including an upper assembly and a lower assembly attached to the upper assembly. The device including a spherical-like object that engages the lower assembly so that an enclosed volume is defined between the spherical-like object, the lower assembly and the upper assembly, wherein a first liquid substantially fills the enclosed volume. The device further including a channel that contains a second fluid that is exposed to ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: John McWhirter, E. Valaski Teuma, Richard Ty Olmstead
  • Publication number: 20150059009
    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 express just one or a few immunoglobulin light chain variable domains from a limited repertoire in their germline. 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. Bispecific antibodies capable of binding first and second antigens are provided, wherein the first and second antigens are separate epitopes of a single protein or separate epitopes on two different proteins are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Lynn MacDonald, Sean Stevens, Samuel Davis, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20150020224
    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: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Cagan Gurer, Karolina A. Meagher, Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20140329711
    Abstract: A genetically modified non-human animal is provided, wherein the non-human animal expresses an antibody repertoire capable of pH dependent binding to antigens upon immunization. A genetically modified non-human animal is provided that expresses a single light chain variable domain derived from a single rearranged light chain variable region gene in the germline of the non-human animal, wherein the single rearranged light chain variable region gene comprises a substitution of at least one non-histidine encoding codon with a histidine encoding codon. Methods of making non-human animals that express antibodies comprising a histidine-containing universal light chain are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Andrew J. Murphy, Lynn Macdonald, John McWhirter
  • Patent number: 8840885
    Abstract: The preparation and characterization of antibodies that bind to antigens on CLL or other cancer cells, especially to antigens upregulated in the cancer cells, and the identification and characterization of antigens present on or upregulated by cancer cells are useful in studying and treating cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine S. Bowdish, John McWhirter
  • Publication number: 20140245468
    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: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Cagan Gurer, Karolina A. Meagher, Lynn Macdonald, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20140221625
    Abstract: Non-human animals with humanized immunoglobulin loci and methods of using them in vaccine design are described, as well as methods for making broadly neutralizing antibodies against infectious agents and pathogens are provided. Non-human animals with humanized immunoglobulin loci used in B-cell-lineage immunogen design in vaccine development are provided, as are methods of carrying out such design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: BARTON HAYNES, GARNETT KELSOE, ISRAEL LOWY, ARIS I. BARAS, LYNN MACDONALD, JOHN MCWHIRTER, CAGAN GURER, KAROLINA A. MEAGHER, ANDREW J. MURPHY, GEORGE D. YANCOPOULOS
  • Publication number: 20140082760
    Abstract: Genetically modified non-human animals are provided that express an immunoglobulin variable domain that comprises at least one histidine, wherein the at least one histidine is encoded by a substitution of a non-histidine codon in the germline of the animal with a hisidine codon, or the insertion of a histidine codon in a germline immunoglobulin nucleic acid sequence. Immunoglobulin genes comprising histidines in one or more CDRs, in an N-terminal region, and or in a loop 4 region are also provided. Immunoglobulin variable domains comprising one or more histidines (e.g., histidine clusters) substituted for non-antigen-binding non-histidine residues. Non-human animals that are progeny of animals comprising modified heavy chain variable loci (V, D, J segments), modified light chain variable loci (V, J segments), and rearranged germline light chain genes (VJ sequences) are also provided. Non-human animals that make immunoglobulin domains that bind antigens in a pH-sensitive manner are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Lynn Macdonald, Joel H. Martin, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20140013456
    Abstract: A genetically modified non-human animal is provided, wherein the non-human animal expresses an antibody repertoire capable of pH dependent binding to antigens upon immunization. A genetically modified non-human animal is provided that expresses human immunoglobulin light chain variable domains derived from a limited repertoire of human immunoglobulin light chain variable gene segments that comprise histidine modifications in their germline sequence. Methods of making non-human animals that express antibodies comprising histidine residues encoded by histidine codons introduced into immunoglobulin light chain nucleotide sequences are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John MCWHIRTER, Lynn MACDONALD, Andrew J. MURPHY
  • Publication number: 20130333057
    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: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Macdonald, John McWhirter, Naxin Tu, Sean Stevens, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20130323791
    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: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Macdonald, John McWhirter, Cagan Gurer, Karolina A. Hosiawa, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20130302836
    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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Lynn Macdonald, Sean Stevens, Samuel Davis, David R. Buckler, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20130247236
    Abstract: Genetically modified non-human animals are provided that express an immunoglobulin variable domain that comprises at least one histidine, wherein the at least one histidine is encoded by a substitution of a non-histidine codon in the germline of the animal with a hisidine codon, or the insertion of a histidine codon in a germline immunoglobulin nucleic acid sequence. Immunoglobulin genes comprising histidines in one or more CDRs, in an N-terminal region, and or in a loop 4 region are also provided. Immunoglobulin variable domains comprising one or more histidines (e.g., histidine clusters) substituted for non-antigen-binding non-histidine residues. Non-human animals that are progeny of animals comprising modified heavy chain variable loci (V, D, J segments), modified light chain variable loci (V, J segments), and rearranged germline light chain genes (VJ sequences) are also provided. Non-human animals that make immunoglobulin domains that bind antigens in a pH-sensitive manner are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Lynn Macdonald, Joel H. Martin, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20130247234
    Abstract: A genetically modified non-human animal is provided, wherein the non-human animal expresses an antibody repertoire capable of pH dependent binding to antigens upon immunization. A genetically modified non-human animal is provided that expresses a single light chain variable domain derived from a single rearranged light chain variable region gene in the germline of the non-human animal, wherein the single rearranged light chain variable region gene comprises a substitution of at least one non-histidine encoding codon with a histidine encoding codon. Methods of making non-human animals that express antibodies comprising a histidine-containing universal light chain are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: John MCWHIRTER, Lynn MACDONALD, Andrew J. MURPHY
  • Publication number: 20130247235
    Abstract: Genetically modified non-human animals are provided that comprise an immunoglobulin heavy chain locus comprising an unrearranged human heavy chain variable region nucleotide sequence comprising an addition of at least one histidine codon or a substitution of at least one endogenous non-histidine codon with a histidine codon. Compositions and methods for making the genetically modified non-human animals as described herein are provided. Non-human animals capable of expressing an antigen-binding protein characterized by pH-dependent antigen binding, enhanced recyclability and/or enhanced serum half-life are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: John MCWHIRTER, Lynn MACDONALD, Andrew J. MURPHY
  • Publication number: 20130198879
    Abstract: Mice, tissues, cells, and genetic material are provided that comprise a humanized heavy chain immunoglobulin locus, a humanized light chain locus that expresses a universal light chain, and a gene encoding an ADAM6 or ortholog or homolog or functional fragment thereof. Mice are provided that express humanized heavy chains comprising human variable domains, and that express humanized light chains comprising human variable domains wherein the light chains are derived from no more than one, or no more than two, light chain V and J or rearranged V/J sequences. Fertile male mice that express antibodies with universal light chains and humanized heavy chains are provided. Methods and compositions for making bispecific binding proteins are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, Lynn MacDonald, Sean Stevens, Samuel Davis, David R. Buckler, Karolina A. Hosiawa, Andrew J. Murphy