Patents by Inventor Keith Alan Foster

Keith Alan Foster 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: 8012479
    Abstract: Antigenic compositions are provided comprising a single chain polypeptide comprising first and second domains, wherein said first domain is a clostridial neurotoxin light chain or a fragment or a variant thereof and is capable of cleaving one or more vesicle or plasma membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis; and said second domain is a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain HN portion or a fragment or a variant thereof, wherein said second domain is capable of (i) translocating the polypeptide into a cell or (ii) increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own or (iii) both translocating the polypeptide into a cell and increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own; and wherein the second domain lacks a functional C-terminal part of a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain designated HC thereby rendering the polypeptide incapable of binding to cell surface receptors that are the natural cell sur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Health Protection Agency, Syntaxin Limited
    Inventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
  • Patent number: 8012491
    Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Syntaxin, Ltd., Health Protection Agency
    Inventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
  • Publication number: 20110152174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment of disease by inhibition of cellular secretory processes, to agents and compositions therefor, and to manufacture of those agents and compositions. The present invention relates particularly, to treatment of disease dependent upon the exocytotic activity of endocrine cells, exocrine cells, inflammatory cells, cells of the immune system, cells of the cardiovascular system and bone cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SYNTAXIN LIMITED
    Inventors: Keith Alan FOSTER, John Andrew CHADDOCK, Conrad Padraig QUINN, John Robert PURKISS
  • Patent number: 7897158
    Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Syntaxin, Ltd
    Inventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
  • Patent number: 7892560
    Abstract: This invention describes a novel agent for the targeted control of a mammalian cell activity, in particular the agent is used to control the interaction of particular cell types with their external environment. The agent has applications as a pharmaceutical for the treatment of a variety of disorders. An agent according to the invention comprises three Domains B, T and E linked together in the following manner: Domain B-Domain T-Domain E where Domain B is the Binding Domain which binds the agent to a Binding Site on the cell which undergoes endocytosis to produce an endosome, Domain T is the Translocation Domain which translocates the agent (with or without the Binding Site) from within the endosome across the endosomal membrane into the cytosol of the cell, Domain E is the Effector Domain which inhibits the ability of the Recyclable Membrane Vesicles to transport the Integral Membrane Proteins to the surface of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Syntaxin, Ltd
    Inventors: Keith Alan Foster, Michael John Duggan, Clifford Charles Shone
  • Patent number: 7887810
    Abstract: This invention describes a novel agent for the targeted control of a mammalian cell activity, in particular the agent is used to control the interaction of particular cell types with their external environment. The agent has applications as a pharmaceutical for the treatment of a variety of disorders. An agent according to the invention comprises three Domains B, T and E linked together in the following manner: Domain B-Domain T-Domain E where Domain B is the Binding Domain which binds the agent to a Binding Site on the cell which undergoes endocytosis to produce an endosome, Domain T is the Translocation Domain which translocates the agent (with or without the Binding Site) from within the endosome across the endosomal membrane into the cytosol of the cell, Domain E is the Effector Domain which inhibits the ability of the Recyclable Membrane Vesicles to transport the Integral Membrane Proteins to the surface of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Syntaxin, Ltd
    Inventors: Keith Alan Foster, Michael John Duggan, Clifford Charles Shone
  • Publication number: 20110028691
    Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide, is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: THE HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY
    Inventors: Clifford Charles SHONE, Keith Alan FOSTER, John CHADDOCK, Philip MARKS, J. Mark SUTTON, Patrick STANCOMBE, Jonathan WAYNE
  • Patent number: 7727538
    Abstract: A method of treating mucus hypersecretion, the causative factor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and other clinical conditions involving COPD, comprises administering a compound that inhibits exocytosis in mucus secreting cells or neurones that control or direct mucus secretion. Also described is a compound, for use in the treatment of hypersecretion of mucus, which inhibits mucus secretion by inhibiting mucus secretion by mucus secreting cells, and/or inhibiting neurotransmitter release from neuronal cells controlling or directing mucus secretion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Syntaxin Ltd.
    Inventors: Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock
  • Patent number: 7674470
    Abstract: Antigenic compositions are provided comprising a single chain polypeptide comprising first and second domains, wherein said first domain is a clostridial neurotoxin light chain or a fragment or a variant thereof and is capable of cleaving one or more vesicle or plasma membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis; and said second domain is a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain HN portion or a fragment or a variant thereof, wherein said second domain is capable of (i) translocating the polypeptide into a cell or (ii) increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own or (iii) both translocating the polypeptide into a cell and increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own; and wherein the second domain lacks a functional C-terminal part of a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain designated HC thereby rendering the polypeptide incapable of binding to cell surface receptors that are the natural cell sur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignees: Health Protection Agency, Syntaxin Limited
    Inventors: Charles Clifford Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
  • Publication number: 20100022751
    Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicants: SYNTAXIN LIMITED, THE HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY
    Inventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
  • Publication number: 20090280066
    Abstract: A method of treating mucus hypersecretion, the causative factor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and other clinical conditions involving COPD, comprises administering a compound that inhibits exocytosis in mucus secreting cells or neurones that control or direct mucus secretion. Also described is a compound, for use in the treatment of hypersecretion of mucus, which inhibits mucus secretion by inhibiting mucus secretion by mucus secreting cells, and/or inhibiting neurotransmitter release from neuronal cells controlling or directing mucus secretion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock
  • Publication number: 20090274708
    Abstract: Antigenic compositions are provided comprising a single chain polypeptide comprising first and second domains, wherein said first domain is a clostridial neurotoxin light chain or a fragment or a variant thereof and is capable of cleaving one or more vesicle or plasma membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis; and said second domain is a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain HN portion or a fragment or a variant thereof, wherein said second domain is capable of (i) translocating the polypeptide into a cell or (ii) increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own or (iii) both translocating the polypeptide into a cell and increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own; and wherein the second domain lacks a functional C-terminal part of a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain designated HC thereby rendering the polypeptide incapable of binding to cell surface receptors that are the natural cell sur
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicants: Health Protection Agency, Syntaxin Limited
    Inventors: Charles Clifford SHONE, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
  • Publication number: 20090246827
    Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicants: SYNTAXIN LIMITED, THE HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY
    Inventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
  • Publication number: 20090148888
    Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicants: SYNTAXIN LIMITED, THE HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY
    Inventors: Clifford Charles Shone, Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, J. Mark Sutton, Patrick Stancombe, Jonathan Wayne
  • Publication number: 20090131645
    Abstract: This invention describes a novel agent for the targeted control of a mammalian cell activity, in particular the agent is used to control the interaction of particular cell types with their external environment. The agent has applications as a pharmaceutical for the treatment of a variety of disorders. An agent according to the invention comprises three Domains B, T and E linked together in the following manner: Domain B-Domain T-Domain E where Domain B is the Binding Domain which binds the agent to a Binding Site on the cell which undergoes endocytosis to produce an endosome, Domain T is the Translocation Domain which translocates the agent (with or without the Binding Site) from within the endosome across the endosomal membrane into the cytosol of the cell, Domain E is the Effector Domain which inhibits the ability of the Recyclable Membrane Vesicles to transport the Integral Membrane Proteins to the surface of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Keith Alan Foster, Michael John Duggan, Clifford Charles Shone
  • Publication number: 20090004174
    Abstract: The invention provides a single chain, polypeptide fusion protein, comprising: a non-cytotoxic protease, or a fragment thereof, which protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of a target cell; a Targeting Moiety that is capable of binding to a Binding Site on the target cell, which Binding Site is capable of undergoing endocytosis to be incorporated into an endocome within the target cell; a protease cleaving site at which site the fusion protein is cleavable by the protease, wherein the protease cleavage site is located between the non-cytotoxic protease or fragment thereof and the Targeting Moiety; and the translocation domain that is capable of translocating the protease or protease fragment from within an endosome, across the endosomal membrane and into the cytosol of the target cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: SYNTAXIN LIMITED
    Inventors: Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock, Philip Marks, Patrick Stancombe, Lyndsey Durose
  • Publication number: 20080319167
    Abstract: This invention describes a novel agent for the targeted control of a mammalian cell activity, in particular the agent is used to control the interaction of particular cell types with their external environment. The agent has applications as a pharmaceutical for the treatment of a variety of disorders. An agent according to the invention comprises three Domains B, T and E linked together in the following manner: Domain B-Domain T-Domain E where Domain B is the Binding Domain which binds the agent to a Binding Site on the cell which undergoes endocytosis to produce an endosome, Domain T is the Translocation Domain which translocates the agent (with or without the Binding Site) from within the endosome across the endosomal membrane into the cytosol of the cell, Domain E is the Effector Domain which inhibits the ability of the Recyclable Membrane Vesicles to transport the Integral Membrane Proteins to the surface of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Keith Alan Foster, Michael John Duggan, Clifford Charles Shone
  • Publication number: 20080249019
    Abstract: A polypeptide and a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide are described. The polypeptide includes a cytotoxic toxin, a targeting domain that selectively binds to a target cell that is a mucus-secreting cell and a translocating domain that translocates the cytotoxic toxin into the target cell. A nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide is also described. Also described is a pharmaceutical composition for topical administration to a patient suffering from mucus hypersecretion which includes the polypeptide and a formulation component selected from the group consisting of an excipient, an adjuvant and a propellant. Methods of treating hypersecretion of mucus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma are also described. These methods include administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: SYNTAXIN, LTD.
    Inventors: Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock
  • Publication number: 20080152667
    Abstract: A method of treating mucus hypersecretion, the causative factor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and other clinical conditions involving COPD, comprises administering a compound that inhibits exocytosis in mucus secreting cells or neurones that control or direct mucus secretion. Also described is a compound, for use in the treatment of hypersecretion of mucus, which inhibits mucus secretion by inhibiting mucus secretion by mucus secreting cells, and/or inhibiting neurotransmitter release from neuronal cells controlling or directing mucus secretion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Conrad Padraig Quinn, Keith Alan Foster, John Chaddock
  • Patent number: 7384645
    Abstract: A composition is prepared from a mixture of different vesicles, such as outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and vaccines are based thereon. Another composition comprises in a single vesicle a combination of antigens and/or other vesicle components deriving from separate vesicles; again vaccines are prepared therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Health Protection Agency
    Inventors: Keith Alan Foster, Andrew Richard Gorringe, Michael John Hudson, Karen Margaret Reddin, Andrew Robinson