Patents by Inventor Michael Downs

Michael Downs 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: 20180305403
    Abstract: Provided herein are deuterated compounds and compositions useful in increasing PPAR? activity. The compounds have a formula where L5 comprises at least one deuterium. Exemplary species include The compounds and compositions provided herein are useful for the treatment of PPAR? related diseases (e.g., muscular diseases, vascular disease, demyelinating disease, and metabolic diseases).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Ronald M. Evans, Michael Downes
  • Patent number: 10077268
    Abstract: Novel FXR agonists are disclosed, embodiments of a method of making the same, and of a composition comprising them are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method of treating or preventing a metabolic disorder in a subject, comprising administering to a subject (e.g., via the gastrointestinal tract) a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the disclosed compounds, thereby activating FXR receptors in the intestines, and treating or preventing a metabolic disorder in the subject. Additionally disclosed are embodiments of a method of treating or preventing inflammation in an intestinal region of a subject, comprising administering to the subject (e.g., via the gastrointestinal tract) a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the disclosed compounds, thereby activating FXR receptors in the intestines, and thereby treating or preventing inflammation in the intestinal region of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Ronald M. Evans, Michael Downes, Thomas J. Baiga, John F.W. Keana, Christopher Liddle
  • Patent number: 10073460
    Abstract: Auto-guidance of a mobile machine is provided that does not require a graphical user interface display. Human interactions with the auto-guidance system of a mobile machine are performed solely with one or more electromechanical switches of the auto-guidance system while the mobile machine is operating. A first point for auto-guidance of a mobile machine is set by an auto-guidance system in response to a first electromechanical switch input. A second point for auto-guidance of the mobile machine is set by the auto-guidance system in response to a second electromechanical switch input after movement of the mobile machine from the first point. The auto-guidance system activates auto-guidance of the mobile machine along a path defined by the first point and the second point. The setting of the first point, the setting of the second point, and the activating are performed by one or more hardware processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Downing, John William Peake
  • Patent number: 10059359
    Abstract: The invention relates to a buggy comprising an upper sliding frame and a lower sliding frame to which the front wheels are attached. In the upright driving position of the buggy, viewed in the side view, the upper sliding frame and the lower sliding frame are approximately aligned with one another. There is also a rear frame to which the rear wheels are attached. In the driving position, the buggy, viewed from the side, is oriented at an angle to the sliding frames, and the buggy can be collapsed about joints from the driving position into a transport position. Joint units, to which the respective end of a strut of the upper sliding frame facing the joint units and the respective end of a strut of the rear frame facing the joint units, are attached so as to be pivotable about joint axes, which are parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Bumbleride Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Reichardt, Michael Downes, Chris Todter
  • Publication number: 20180228869
    Abstract: Methods of using FGF1 analogs, such as FGF1 mutant proteins having an N-terminal deletion, point mutation(s), or combinations thereof, to reduce blood glucose levels in subjects with steroid-induced diabetes, hypercortisolemia, or diabetes due to treatment with an antipsychotic agent, are provided. Such mutant FGF1 proteins can be part of a chimeric protein that includes a ?-Klotho-binding protein, an FGFR1-binding protein, a ?-Klotho-binding protein and a FGFR1-binding protein, a C-terminal region from FGF19 or FGF21.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Ronald M. Evans, Michael Downes, Annette Atkins, Ruth T. Yu
  • Patent number: 10048693
    Abstract: A path of travel used by an autopilot operation system for auto-guidance of a mobile machine is defined, transparently to a human operator, in response to the human operator engaging and disengaging operation of an implement coupled with the mobile machine. The auto-guidance of the mobile machine is activated, transparently to the human operator, in response to the human operator engaging the implement a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Downing, John William Peake
  • Patent number: 10035819
    Abstract: Provided herein are deuterated compounds and compositions useful in increasing PPAR? activity. The compounds have a formula where L5 comprises at least one deuterium. Exemplary species include The compounds and compositions provided herein are useful for the treatment of PPAR? related diseases (e.g., muscular diseases, vascular disease, demyelinating disease, and metabolic diseases).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Ronald M. Evans, Michael Downes
  • Publication number: 20180207114
    Abstract: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a role in keeping an organism warm in response to a cold environment. In response to cold, transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha (PGC1?), mediate the adaptive changes in the expression of oxidative and thermogenic genes in BAT. However, even without cold, BAT exhibits high expression of these genes relative to white adipose tissue (WAT). It is shown herein that estrogen related receptor gamma (ERR?) is a critical factor that controls the expression of key metabolic genes in BAT under basal conditions. ERR? is highly expressed in BAT versus WAT, yet is not transcriptionally induced by cold, suggesting it plays an important role in innate basal BAT function rather than in the adaptive response to cold. Based on these observations, methods of increasing thermogenesis in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more agents that increase ERR? activity are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Ronald M. Evans, Michael Downes, Annette Atkins, Ruth T. Yu, Maryam Ahmadian
  • Publication number: 20180200379
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in a mammalian subject. In some examples, such methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a VDR agonist (such as calcipotriol and/or paricalcitol) and administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more chemotherapeutic agents, wherein the one or more chemotherapeutic agents comprise gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, protein-bound paclitaxel, and a PD-1 monoclonal antibody and/or PDL-1 monoclonal antibody.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Mara Sherman, Michael Downes, Ronald M. Evans
  • Publication number: 20180200334
    Abstract: The method provides methods and compositions for treating metabolic disorders such as impaired glucose tolerance, elevated blood glucose, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, obesity, and fatty liver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Johan W. Jonker, Michael Downes, Ronald M. Evans, Jae Myoung Suh
  • Publication number: 20180193418
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides FGF1 mutant proteins, such as those having an N-terminal deletion, point mutation(s), or combinations thereof, which can reduce blood glucose in a mammal. Such mutant FGF1 proteins can be part of a chimeric protein that includes a ?-Klotho-binding protein, an FGFR1c-binding protein, a ?-Klotho-binding protein and a FGFR1c-binding protein, a C-terminal region from FGF19 or FGF21. In some examples, mutant FGF1 proteins have reduced mitogenic activity. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins, and vectors and cells that include such nucleic acids. Methods of using the disclosed molecules to reduce blood glucose levels are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Jae Myoung Suh, Michael Downes, Ronald M. Evans, Annette Atkins, Ruth T. Yu
  • Publication number: 20180170857
    Abstract: Provided herein are compounds and compositions useful in increasing PPAR? activity. The compounds and compositions provided herein are useful for the treatment of PPAR? related diseases (e.g., muscular diseases, vascular disease, demyelinating disease, and metabolic diseases).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicants: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Mitobridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Evans, Michael Downes, Thomas J. Baiga, Joseph P. Noel, Emi Kanakubo Embler, Weiwei Fan, John F.W. Keana, Mark G. Bock, Authur F. Kluge, Mike A. Patane
  • Patent number: 9938234
    Abstract: Provided herein are compounds and compositions useful in increasing PPAR? activity. The compounds and compositions provided herein are useful for the treatment of PPAR? related diseases (e.g., muscular diseases, vascular disease, demyelinating disease, and metabolic diseases).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignees: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Mitobridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Evans, Michael Downes, Thomas J. Baiga, Joseph P. Noel, Emi Kanakubo Embler, Weiwei Fan, John F. W. Keana, Mark G. Bock, Arthur F. Kluge, Mike A. Patane
  • Patent number: 9925243
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides chimeric proteins having an N-terminus coupled to a C-terminus, wherein the N-terminus comprises an N-terminal portion of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 and the C-terminus comprises a portion of an FGF1 protein, wherein the chimeric protein comprises at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins, and vectors and cells that include such nucleic acids. Methods of using the disclosed molecules to reduce blood glucose levels are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Jae Myoung Suh, Michael Downes, Ronald M. Evans, Annette Atkins, Senyon Choe, Witek Kwiatkowski
  • Patent number: 9925241
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides FGF1 mutant proteins, such as those having an N-terminal deletion, point mutation(s), or combinations thereof, which can reduce blood glucose in a mammal. Such mutant FGF1 proteins can be part of a chimeric protein that includes a ?-Klotho-binding protein, an FGFR1c-binding protein, a ?-Klotho-binding protein and a FGFR1c-binding protein, a C-terminal region from FGF19 or FGF21. In some examples, mutant FGF1 proteins have reduced mitogenic activity. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins, and vectors and cells that include such nucleic acids. Methods of using the disclosed molecules to reduce blood glucose levels are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Jae Myoung Suh, Michael Downes, Ronald M. Evans, Annette Atkins, Ruth T. Yu
  • Publication number: 20180071318
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions that include a nanoparticle and a compound that increases the biological activity of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) (e.g., a VDR agonist), and methods of using such compounds to increase retention or storage of vitamin A, vitamin D, and/or lipids by a cell, such as an epithelial or stellate cell. Such methods can be used to treat or prevent fibrosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicants: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, The University of Sydney
    Inventors: Ning Ding, Michael Downes, Christopher Liddle, Ronald M. Evans
  • Publication number: 20180057554
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides FGF1 mutant proteins, which include an N-terminal deletion, point mutation(s), or combinations thereof. In some examples, the mutant FGF1 proteins have reduced mitogenic activity. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins, and vectors and cells that include such nucleic acids. The disclosed FGF1 mutants can reduce blood glucose in a mammal, and in some examples are used to treat a metabolic disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Ronald M. Evans, Michael Downes, Annette Atkins, Ruth T. Yu
  • Publication number: 20180050087
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for treating lipodystrophy using fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicants: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Metacrine, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil McDonnell, Ronald M. Evans, Michael Downes
  • Patent number: 9895381
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating and preventing pancreatitis, such as pancreatitis induced by glucagon-like peptide (GLP) agonists (such as GLP-1 agonists, for example Byetta®), by administration of a vitamin D receptor agonist (such as vitamin D, vitamin D analogs, vitamin D precursors, and vitamin D receptor agonists precursors). In some examples the subject has diabetes, such as type 2 diabetes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Mara Sherman, Michael Downes, Ronald M. Evans
  • Publication number: 20180036377
    Abstract: The method provides methods and compositions for treating metabolic disorders such as impaired glucose tolerance, elevated blood glucose, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, obesity, and fatty liver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Johan W. Jonker, Michael Downes, Ronald M. Evans, Jae Myoung Suh