Patents by Inventor Merja Helminen

Merja Helminen 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: 5759813
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to selected antigenic proteins obtained from the outer membranes of Moraxella catarrhalis, that are found to have a variety of useful properties. These proteins, termed OMPs ("Outer Membrane Proteins"), are characterized as having molecular weights of about 30 kD, 80 kD and between about 200 and 700 kD, respectively. Studies set forth herein demonstrated that monoclonal antibodies directed against these proteins confer a protective effect against infection by Moraxella catarrhalis organisms in animal models, demonstrating the potential usefulness of such antibodies in conferring passive immunity as well as the potential usefulness of these OMPs, or variants thereof, in the preparation of vaccines. Also disclosed are DNA segments encoding these OMPs, methods for preparing the antigens or variants, through the application of recombinant DNA techniques, as well as diagnostic methods and embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Eric J. Hansen, Isobel Maciver, Merja Helminen
  • Patent number: 5599693
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to selected antigenic proteins obtained from the outer membranes of Moraxella catarrhalis, that have been found by the inventors to have a variety of useful properties. These proteins, termed OMPs ("Outer Membrane Proteins"), are characterized as having molecular weights of 30, 80 and 100 kD, respectively. Studies set forth herein demonstrate that monoclonal antibodies directed against these proteins confer a protective effect against infection by Moraxella catarrhalis organisms in animal models, demonstrating the potential usefulness of such antibodies in conferring passive immunity as well as the potential usefulness of these OMPs, or variants thereof, in the preparation of vaccines. Also disclosed are DNA segments encoding these OMPs, methods for preparing the antigens, or variants, through the application of recombinant DNA techniques, as well as diagnostic methods and embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Hansen, Merja Helminen, Isobel Maciver
  • Patent number: 5552146
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to selected antigenic proteins obtained from the outer membranes of Moraxella catarrhalis, that have been found by the inventors to have a variety of useful properties. These proteins, termed OMPs ("Outer Membrane Proteins"), are characterized as having molecular weights of 30, 80 and 100 kD, respectively. Studies set forth herein demonstrate that monoclonal antibodies directed against these proteins confer a protective effect against infection by Moraxella catarrhalis organisms in animal models, demonstrating the potential usefulness of such antibodies in conferring passive immunity as well as the potential usefulness of these OMPs, or variants thereof, in the preparation of vaccines. Also disclosed are DNA segments encoding these OMPs, methods for preparing the antigens, or variants, through the application of recombinant DNA techniques, as well as diagnostic methods and embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Eric J. Hansen, Merja Helminen, Isobel Maciver