Patents by Inventor Kirk Ekena

Kirk Ekena 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).

  • Reversibly masked polymers
    Patent number: 10022456
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to reversibly inactivated membrane active polymers useful for cellular delivery of compounds. Described are polyconjugate systems that incorporate targeting, anti-opsonization, anti-aggregation, and transfection activities into small biocompatible in vivo delivery conjugates. The use of multiple reversible linkages connecting component parts provides for physiologically responsive activity modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: David B Rozema, Jon A Wolff, James E Hagstrom, Kirk Ekena
  • Reversibly Masked Polymers
    Publication number: 20150273081
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to reversibly inactivated membrane active polymers useful for cellular delivery of compounds. Described are polyconjugate systems that incorporate targeting, anti-opsonization, anti-aggregation, and transfection activities into small biocompatible in vivo delivery conjugates. The use of multiple reversible linkages connecting component parts provides for physiologically responsive activity modulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: David B Rozema, Jon A Wolff, James E Hagstrom, Kirk Ekena
  • Endosomolytic polymers
    Patent number: 8211468
    Abstract: We describe pH-sensitive endosomolytic polymers, delivery particles containing pH-sensitive endosomolytic polymers. The described particles are capable of delivering polynucleotides to cells from the peripheral circulation with subsequent release from endosomes. The endosomolytic polymers are inactive outside the cell but disrupt membranes upon exposure to an acidified endosomal compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Arrowhead Madison Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Rozema, Darren H. Wakefield, Jon A. Wolff, James E. Hagstrom, Kirk Ekena
  • Reversible attachment of a membrane active polymer to a polynucleotide
    Patent number: 7816337
    Abstract: Described is a process for delivering a biologically active compound to a cell by reversibly linking the compound to a membrane active polymer. In particular, polymer-polynucleotide conjugates are described. Methods for reversibly modifying the polymers to decrease cellular toxicity and improve efficacy are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Roche Madison Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Rozema, Darren Wakefield, Jon A Wolff, Kirk Ekena, James E. Hagstrom
  • Protein and peptide delivery to mammalian cells in vitro
    Patent number: 7476401
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for delivery of proteins and peptides to mammalian cells in vitro are described. Specifically, polypeptide-surfactant complexes formed from noncovalent hydrophobation of polypeptides and reversible hydrophobic modification of polypeptides are described. The compositions can be used to delivery positively charged, negatively charged and charge neutral polypeptides to cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Mirus Bio LLC
    Inventors: Sean D. Monahan, Vladimir G. Budker, Kirk Ekena, Lisa Nader
  • Reversible modification of amine-containing compounds
    Patent number: 7442764
    Abstract: An process for the reversible modification of an amine-containing compound is described. Modification of the compound can be used to facilitate delivery of molecules to cells in vitro and in vivo or to alter interactions or activities the compounds. The described modifiers can also be utilized as cross-linkers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Mirns Bio Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Rozema, Darren Wakefield, Jon A. Wolff, Kirk Ekena, James E. Hagstrom
  • Reversible modification of amine-containing compounds
    Publication number: 20060122096
    Abstract: An process for the reversible modification of an amine-containing compound is described. Modification of the compound can be used to facilitate delivery of molecules to cells in vitro and in vivo or to alter interactions or activities the compounds. The described modifiers can also be utilized as cross-linkers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: David Rozema, Darren Wakefield, Jon Wolff, Kirk Ekena, James Hagstrom
  • Reversible modification of membrane interaction
    Patent number: 7019113
    Abstract: An process for the reversible modification of membrane interaction of a compound is described. Modification of membrane interaction can be used to facilitate delivery of molecules to cells in vitro and in vivo. The described modifiers, which are used to reversibly inactivate the membrane active compounds, can also be utilized as cross-linkers or to reverse the charge of a molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Mirus Bio Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Rozema, Darren Wakefield, Jon A. Wolff, Kirk Ekena, James E. Hagstrom
  • Protein and peptide delivery to mammalian cells in vitro
    Publication number: 20060034909
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for delivery of proteins and peptides to mammalian cells in vitro are described. Specifically, polypeptide-surfactant complexes formed from noncovalent hydrophobation of polypeptides and reversible hydrophobic modification of polypeptides are described. The compositions can be used to delivery positively charged, negatively charged and charge neutral polypeptides to cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Sean Monahan, Vladimir Budker, Kirk Ekena, Lisa Nader
  • Reversible modification of membrane interaction
    Publication number: 20050250683
    Abstract: An process for the reversible modification of membrane interaction of a compound is described. Modification of membrane interaction can be used to facilitate delivery of molecules to cells in vitro and in vivo. The described modifiers, which are used to reversibly inactivate the membrane active compounds, can also be utilized as cross-linkers or to reverse the charge of a molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: David Rozema, Darren Wakefield, Jon Wolff, Kirk Ekena, James Hagstrom
  • Protein and peptide delivery to mammalian cells in vitro
    Publication number: 20040151766
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for delivery of proteins and peptides to mammalian cells in vitro are described. Specifically, polypeptide-surfactant complexes formed from noncovalent hydrophobation of polypeptides and reversible hydrophobic modification of polypeptides are described. The compositions can be used to delivery positively charged, negatively charged and charge neutral polypeptides to cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Sean D. Monahan, Vladimir G. Budker, Kirk Ekena, Lisa Nader
  • Reversible modification of membrane interaction
    Publication number: 20030220264
    Abstract: An process for the reversible modification of membrane interaction of a compound is described. Modification of membrane interaction can be used to facilitate delivery of molecules to cells in vitro and in vivo. The described modifiers, which are used to reversibly inactivate the membrane active compounds, can also be utilized as cross-linkers or to reverse the charge of a molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: David B. Rozema, Darren Wakefield, Jon A. Wolff, Kirk Ekena, James E. Hagstrom