Patents by Inventor Michael J. Volles

Michael J. Volles 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: 20240191239
    Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotide constructs for the regulation of gene expression by aptamer-based modulation of U1 snRNP-mediated suppression of polyadenylation and methods of using the constructs to regulate gene expression in response to the presence or absence of a ligand that binds the aptamer. The polynucleotide construct contains a U1 binding site in the context of a riboswitch comprising an effector region and an aptamer such that when the aptamer binds a ligand, target gene expression occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Michael J. Volles, Olivier F. Danos, Xuecui Guo
  • Publication number: 20230303665
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a virus infection, such as a coronavirus infection, by delivering to a subject in need a binding agent, wherein the binding agent comprising (i) at least one binding domain that binds to a viral protein expressed on the surface of a virus, and (ii) a modified Fc domain that exhibits either (a) reduced binding to an Fc activating receptor or (b) increased binding to an Fc inhibitory receptor compared to a wild-type Fc domain. The binding agent may be delivered as a polynucleotide (e.g. mRNA) or as a protein, and may be contained in a vehicle for delivery, such as a viral or non-viral vector. The present disclosure also relates to the polynucleotides, proteins, and vehicles (e.g. viral and non-viral vector) and composition thereof, including for use in the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Sana Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. MULLIGAN, Michael J. VOLLES
  • Publication number: 20230220382
    Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotide constructs for the regulation of gene expression by aptamer-based modulation of self-cleaving ribozymes and methods of using the constructs to regulate gene expression in response to the presence or absence of a ligand that binds the aptamer. The invention further provides methods for making and using riboswitches that decrease target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand as well as riboswitches that increase target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Volles, Olivier F. Danos, Alex R. Boyne, Veronique Zennou, Xuecui Guo
  • Patent number: 11697815
    Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotide constructs for the regulation of gene expression by aptamer-based modulation of U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP)-mediated suppression of polyadenylation and methods of using the constructs to regulate gene expression in response to the presence or absence of a ligand that binds the aptamer. The polynucleotide construct contains a U1 binding site in the context of a riboswitch comprising an effector region and an aptamer such that when the aptamer binds a ligand, target gene expression occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: MEIRAGTX UK II LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael J. Volles, Olivier F. Danos, Xuecui Guo
  • Publication number: 20230190871
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating or reducing the likelihood of a virus infection, such as a coronavirus infection, by delivering to a subject in need a Chromosome 19 Open Reading Frame 66 (C19orf66) or a regulatory factor that increases expression of the gene encoding C19ord66 in a cell in a subject. The C19orf66 or regulatory factor may be delivered as a polynucleotide (e.g. mRNA or DNA) or as a protein, and may be contained in a vehicle for delivery, such as a viral or non-viral vector. Also provided are polynucleotides, proteins, and vehicles (e.g. viral and non-viral vector) and composition thereof, including for use in the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Sana Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. MULLIGAN, Michael J. VOLLES
  • Patent number: 11512310
    Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotide constructs for the regulation of gene expression by aptamer-based modulation of self-cleaving ribozymes and methods of using the constructs to regulate gene expression in response to the presence or absence of a ligand that binds the aptamer. The invention further provides methods for making and using riboswitches that decrease target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand as well as riboswitches that increase target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: MEIRAGTX UK II LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael J. Volles, Olivier F. Danos, Alex R. Boyne, Veronique Zennou, Xuecui Guo
  • Publication number: 20220282278
    Abstract: The invention provides a platform and methods of using the platform for the regulation of the expression of a target gene using exposure to an aptamer ligand (for example, a small molecule). The platform features a polynucleotide gene regulation cassette that is placed in the target gene and includes a synthetic riboswitch positioned in the context of a 5? intron-alternative exon-3? intron. The riboswitch comprises an effector region and a sensor region (e.g., an aptamer that binds a small molecule ligand) such that the alternative exon is spliced into the target gene mRNA when the ligand is not present thereby preventing expression of the target gene. When the ligand is present, the alternative exon is not spliced into the target gene mRNA thereby providing expression of the target gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Alex R. Boyne, Olivier F. Danos, Michael J. Volles, Xuecui Guo
  • Patent number: 11248239
    Abstract: The invention provides a platform and methods of using the platform for the regulation of the expression of a target gene using exposure to an aptamer ligand (for example, a small molecule). The platform features a polynucleotide gene regulation cassette that is placed in the target gene and includes a synthetic riboswitch positioned in the context of a 5? intron-alternative exon-3? intron. The riboswitch comprises an effector region and a sensor region (e.g., an aptamer that binds a small molecule ligand) such that the alternative exon is spliced into the target gene mRNA when the ligand is not present thereby preventing expression of the target gene. When the ligand is present, the alternative exon is not spliced into the target gene mRNA thereby providing expression of the target gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MEIRAGTX UK II LIMITED
    Inventors: Alex R. Boyne, Olivier F. Danos, Michael J. Volles, Xuecui Guo
  • Publication number: 20200087683
    Abstract: The invention provides a platform and methods of using the platform for the regulation of the expression of a target gene using exposure to an aptamer ligand (for example, a small molecule). The platform features a polynucleotide gene regulation cassette that is placed in the target gene and includes a synthetic riboswitch positioned in the context of a 5? intron-alternative exon-3? intron. The riboswitch comprises an effector region and a sensor region (e.g., an aptamer that binds a small molecule ligand) such that the alternative exon is spliced into the target gene mRNA when the ligand is not present thereby preventing expression of the target gene. When the ligand is present, the alternative exon is not spliced into the target gene mRNA thereby providing expression of the target gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Alex R. Boyne, Olivier F. Danos, Michael J. Volles, Xuecui Guo
  • Publication number: 20200032253
    Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotide constructs for the regulation of gene expression by aptamer-based modulation of self-cleaving ribozymes and methods of using the constructs to regulate gene expression in response to the presence or absence of a ligand that binds the aptamer. The invention further provides methods for making and using riboswitches that decrease target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand as well as riboswitches that increase target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Volles, Olivier F. Danos, Alex R. Boyne, Veronique Zennou, Xuecui Guo
  • Publication number: 20200017858
    Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotide constructs for the regulation of gene expression by aptamer-based modulation of U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP)-mediated suppression of polyadenylation and methods of using the constructs to regulate gene expression in response to the presence or absence of a ligand that binds the aptamer. The polynucleotide construct contains a U1 binding site in the context of a riboswitch comprising an effector region and an aptamer such that when the aptamer binds a ligand, target gene expression occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Volles, Olivier F. Danos, Xuecui Guo
  • Patent number: 10494646
    Abstract: The invention provides a platform and methods of using the platform for the regulation of the expression of a target gene using exposure to an aptamer ligand (for example, a small molecule). The platform features a polynucleotide gene regulation cassette that is placed in the target gene and includes a synthetic riboswitch positioned in the context of a 5? intron-alternative exon-3? intron. The riboswitch comprises an effector region and a sensor region (e.g., an aptamer that binds a small molecule ligand) such that the alternative exon is spliced into the target gene mRNA when the ligand is not present thereby preventing expression of the target gene. When the ligand is present, the alternative exon is not spliced into the target gene mRNA thereby providing expression of the target gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: MEIRAGTX UK II LIMITED
    Inventors: Alex R. Boyne, Olivier F. Danos, Michael J. Volles, Xuecui Guo
  • Publication number: 20180010146
    Abstract: The invention provides a platform and methods of using the platform for the regulation of the expression of a target gene using exposure to an aptamer ligand (for example, a small molecule). The platform features a polynucleotide gene regulation cassette that is placed in the target gene and includes a synthetic riboswitch positioned in the context of a 5? intron-alternative exon-3? intron. The riboswitch comprises an effector region and a sensor region (e.g., an aptamer that binds a small molecule ligand) such that the alternative exon is spliced into the target gene mRNA when the ligand is not present thereby preventing expression of the target gene. When the ligand is present, the alternative exon is not spliced into the target gene mRNA thereby providing expression of the target gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Alex K. Boyne, Olivier F. Danos, Michael J. Volles, Xuecui Guo