Abstract: Antagonists of human proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (“PCSK9”) are disclosed. The disclosed antagonists are effective in the inhibition of PCSK9 function and, accordingly, present desirable antagonists for use in the treatment of conditions associated with PCSK9 activity. The present invention also discloses nucleic acid encoding said antagonists, vectors, host cells, and compositions comprising the antagonists. Methods of making PCSK9-specific antagonists as well as methods of using the antagonists for inhibiting or antagonizing PCSK9 function are also disclosed and form important additional aspects of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides expression vectors and helper display vectors which can be used in various combinations as vector sets for display of polypeptides on the outer surface of eukaryotic host cells. The expression vector of the invention can be used alone for soluble expression without having to change or reengineer the display vectors. The display systems of the invention are particularly useful for displaying a genetically diverse repertoire or library of polypeptides on the surface of yeast cells, and mammalian cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides expression vectors and helper display vectors which can be used in various combinations as vector sets for display of polypeptides on the outer surface of eukaryotic host cells. The expression vector of the invention can be used alone for soluble expression without having to change or reengineer the display vectors. The display systems of the invention are particularly useful for displaying a genetically diverse repertoire or library of polypeptides on the surface of yeast cells, and mammalian cells.

Abstract: Antagonists of human proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (“PCSK9”) are disclosed. The disclosed antagonists are effective in the inhibition of PCSK9 function and, accordingly, present desirable antagonists for use in the treatment of conditions associated with PCSK9 activity. The present invention also discloses nucleic acid encoding said antagonists, vectors, host cells, and compositions comprising the antagonists. Methods of making PCSK9-specific antagonists as well as methods of using the antagonists for inhibiting or antagonizing PCSK9 function are also disclosed and form important additional aspects of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Antagonists of human proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (“PCSK9”) are disclosed. The disclosed antagonists are effective in the inhibition of PCSK9 function and, accordingly, present desirable antagonists for use in the treatment of conditions associated with PCSK9 activity. The present invention also discloses nucleic acid encoding said antagonists, vectors, host cells, and compositions comprising the antagonists. Methods of making PCSK9-specific antagonists as well as methods of using the antagonists for inhibiting or antagonizing PCSK9 function are also disclosed and form important additional aspects of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure-based methodology for efficiently generating and screening a library of recombinant antibodies for optimized antibodies with desirable functions, such as higher binding affinity or low immunogenicity. In one embodiment, a method is provided for constructing a library of antibody sequences based on a three dimensional structure of a lead antibody. The method comprises: providing a lead structural template comprising the amino acid sequence of the variable region of the heavy chain (VH) or light chain (VL) of a lead antibody, comparing the lead template sequence with a plurality of tester protein sequences; selecting a hit library from the tester protein sequences; determining if a member of the hit library is structurally compatible with the lead structural template using a scoring function; selecting members for the hit library that score equal to or better than the lead sequence and screening members for improved function(s).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for constructing recombinant antibody libraries based on three-dimensional structures of antibodies from various species including human. In one aspect, a library of antibodies with diverse sequences is efficiently constructed in silico to represent the structural repertoire of the vertebrate antibodies. Such a functionally representative library provides a structurally diverse and yet functionally more relevant source of antibody candidates which can then be screened for high affinity binding to a wide variety of target molecules, including but not limited to biomacromolecules such as protein, peptide, and nucleic acids, and small molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel anti-CD26 antibodies and other, related polypeptides, as well as novel polynucleotides encoding the antibodies and polypeptides. The invention also provides methods of making the antibodies and polypeptides. Compositions and cells comprising the antibodies or polypeptides are further provided. Methods of using the antibodies and/or polypeptides, such as to inhibit cell proliferation and in the treatment of conditions associated with CD26, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a methodology for efficiently generating and screening protein libraries for optimized proteins with desirable biological functions, such as improved binding affinity towards biologically and/or therapeutically important target molecules. The process is carried out computationally in a high throughput manner by mining the ever-expanding databases of protein sequences of all organisms, especially human.

Abstract: Methods are provided for designing and selecting antibodies against human antigens with high affinity and specificity in silico and in vitro. In some particular embodiments, methods are provided for designing and selecting humanized or fully human antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with high affinity and specificity. In another aspect of the invention, monoclonal antibodies against VEGF are provided. In particular, humanized or human anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies are provided with ability to bind to human VEGF with high affinity, inhibit VEGF-induced proliferation of endothelial cells in vitro and inhibit VEGF-induced angiogenesis in vivo. These antibodies and their derivative can be used in a wide variety of applications such as diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases such as cancer, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and other diseases derived from pathological angiogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides expression vectors and helper display vectors which can be used in various combinations as vector sets for display of polypeptides on the outer surface of eukaryotic host cells. The expression vector of the invention can be used alone for soluble expression without having to change or reengineer the display vectors. The display systems of the invention are particularly useful for displaying a genetically diverse repertoire or library of polypeptides on the surface of yeast cells, and mammalian cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel anti-CD26 antibodies and other, related polypeptides, as well as novel polynucleotides encoding the antibodies and polypeptides. The invention also provides methods of making the antibodies and polypeptides. Compositions and cells comprising the antibodies or polypeptides are further provided. Methods of using the antibodies and/or polypeptides, such as to inhibit cell proliferation and in the treatment of conditions associated with CD26, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides expression vectors and helper display vectors which can be used in various combinations as vector sets for multi-species and cross-species display of polypeptides on the outer surface of prokaryotic genetic packages and/or eukaryotic host cells. The multi-species and cross-species display systems can be practiced using the vector sets of the invention without having to change or reengineer the display vectors. The display systems of the invention are particularly useful for displaying a genetically diverse repertoire or library of polypeptides on the surface of phage, bacterial host cells, yeast cells, and mammalian cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel anti-CD26 antibodies and other, related polypeptides, as well as novel polynucleotides encoding the antibodies and polypeptides. The invention also provides methods of making the antibodies and polypeptides. Compositions and cells comprising the antibodies or polypeptides are further provided. Methods of using the antibodies and/or polypeptides, such as to inhibit cell proliferation and in the treatment of conditions associated with CD26, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for specific assembly of monomeric polypeptides to form a heteromultimer. This technique is particularly useful for generating a genetically diverse repertoire of heteromultimers such as antigen-binding units. The invention also provides both non-single-chain and single-chain antigen-binding units that are assembled by the technique described herein. The present invention also provides recombinant polynucleotides, vectors, host cells, and kits for producing the subject antigen-binding units. Further provided by the invention are methods of using the subject antigen-binding units.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel granulopoietic activity (GPA) proteins and nucleic acids. The invention further relates to the use of the GPA proteins in the treatment of G-CSF related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure-based methodology for efficiently generating and screening protein libraries for optimized proteins with desirable biological functions, such as antibodies with high binding affinity and low immunogenicity in humans. In one embodiment, a method is provided for constructing a library of antibody sequences based on a three dimensional structure of a lead antibody.

Abstract: The present invention provides a methodology for efficiently generating and screening protein libraries for optimized proteins with desirable biological functions, such as improved binding affinity towards biologically and/or therapeutically important target molecules. The process is carried out computationally in a high throughput manner by mining the ever-expanding databases of protein sequences of all organisms, especially human.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel proteins with TNF-receptor antagonist activity and nucleic acids encoding these proteins. The invention further relates to TNF-receptor proteins with reduced immunogenicity and the use of these novel proteins in the treatment of TNF related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure-based methodology for efficiently generating and screening protein libraries for optimized proteins with desirable biological functions, such as antibodies with high binding affinity and low immunogenicity in humans. In one embodiment, a method is provided for constructing a library of antibody sequences based on a three dimensional structure of a lead antibody.