Patents by Inventor Nthato Chirwa

Nthato Chirwa 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: 9220773
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for intraperitoneal delivery of an anti-neoplastic agent is provided for treating cancers associated with aberrant mucin expression, preferably ovarian cancer and pancreatic, prostate, metastatic breast, bladder and lung cancers. The composition comprises nanomicelles loaded with the anti-neoplastic agent, and antibodies such as anti-MUC16, anti-MUC1 or anti-MUC4 are conjugated to these nanomicelles. The antibody-bound nanomicelles are optionally embedded in a biodegradable pH- and thermo-responsive hydrogel capable of sol-gel transition at body temperature. The pharmaceutical composition is implantable in the peritoneum, where it transforms into a semi-solid gel at the body's core temperature. In response to pH, the hydrogel swells and releases the antibody-bound nanomicelles. The nanomicelles specifically target mucin antigens on cancer cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG
    Inventors: Nthato Chirwa, Viness Pillay, Yahya Essop Choonara, Pradeep Kumar, Lisa Claire Du Toit
  • Publication number: 20140004185
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for intraperitoneal delivery of an anti-neoplastic agent is provided for treating cancers associated with aberrant mucin expression, preferably ovarian cancer and pancreatic, prostate, metastatic breast, bladder and lung cancers. The composition comprises nanomicelles loaded with the anti-neoplastic agent, and antibodies such as anti-MUC16, anti-MUC1 or anti-MUC4 are conjugated to these nanomicelles. The antibody-bound nanomicelles are optionally embedded in a biodegradable pH- and thermo-responsive hydrogel capable of sol-gel transition at body temperature. The pharmaceutical composition is implantable in the peritoneum, where it transforms into a semi-solid gel at the body's core temperature. In response to pH, the hydrogel swells and releases the antibody-bound nanomicelles. The nanomicelles specifically target mucin antigens on cancer cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG
    Inventors: Nthato Chirwa, Viness Pillay, Yahya Essop Choonara, Pradeep Kumar, Lisa Claire Du Toit