Patents by Inventor Robert J. Schwartz
Robert J. Schwartz 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).
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Publication number: 20230304007Abstract: Provided here are compositions and methods of preventing or treating a muscle disorder in a subject, such as muscle wasting, cachexia, sarcopenia and heart failure. The compositions include inhibitors targeting one or more of the H19X-encoded non-coding RNAs. The inhibitors can inhibit expression of one or more of the H19X-encoded non-coding RNAs or inhibit interaction between one or more of the H19X-encoded non-coding RNAs and their natural target mRNA. Also, provided are methods of preventing or treating a muscle disorder in a subject by inducing specific mutations to decrease levels of one or more of the H19X-encoded non-coding RNAs utilizing gene editing tools such as, but not limited to, integrases, CRISPR/Cas nucleases, TALAN nucleases, zinc finger Nucleases, triplex forming oligonucleotides, or combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Yu Liu, Robert J. Schwartz, Xiaopeng Shen, Rui Liang, Shreesti Shrestha
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Publication number: 20230263771Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to anti-viral compounds suitable for use in blocking virus entry into cells. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of blocking virus entry into cells by associating the cells with at least one anti-viral compound of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the associating occurs in vitro. In some embodiments, the associating occurs in vivo in a subject through administration of the at least one anti-viral compound to the subject. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of treating or preventing a viral infection in a subject by administering to the subject at least one anti-viral compound of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the subject is a human being suffering from or vulnerable to the viral infection. In some embodiments, the virus includes a coronavirus, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEMInventors: Bradley K. McConnell, Arfaxad Reyes Alcaraz, John W. Craft, Robert J. Schwartz
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Patent number: 11295387Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing a financial instrument that includes determining an initial account balance associated with a financial instrument, establishing a first guarantee of a protected value, the protected value including at least an amount based upon the initial account balance growing at a minimum positive growth rate, establishing a second guarantee that a beneficiary may receive a transfer of an amount of money, and establishing an agreement to allow at least a portion of the account balance to be transferred from one or more selected investments to one or more alternative investments in response to a triggering event.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICAInventors: Jacob M. Herschler, Daniel O. Kane, N. David Kuperstock, Robert Francis O'Donnell, Steven Lee Putterman, Dain Eric Runestad, Robert J. Schwartz, Nicholas Berardis, Jr., John L. Grucza, Michael Albert Guido, J. Scott Dunn
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Publication number: 20210069294Abstract: Loss of cardiomyocytes underlies most causes of heart failure, and normal repair processes are inadequate to deal with extensive myocardial damage. The inventors have identified mutations of the N-terminus of serum respose factor (SRF)'s MADS box, termed STEMINs, that block cardiac differentiation, but also powerfully activate the stem cell marker genes Nanog and Octomer 4, as well as cyclins, which promotes adult myocyte replication. SRF Stemin mutations are not cardiac-specific, and also propel mammalian fibroblasts into a proliferative state. Thus, STEMINs may be useful for regeneration of all tissue and organ types, by activating partial pluripotency programs and enhancing repair by increased cell replication. Following withdrawal of STEMINs, the cells then return to normal cell identity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2018Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: University of Houston SystemInventors: Robert J. SCHWARTZ, Dinakar IYER
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Patent number: 10335449Abstract: The present disclosure describes peptide inhibitors of Rho-associtated-kinase (ROCK) and their use in treating disorders including heart failure, the leading cause of combined morbidity and mortality in the United States. An inhibitory polypeptide blocks ROCK1 activity in the presence of 1 mM ATP. The binding epitope on ROCK1 was mapped using chemical cross-linking to the Activation Loop, a novel locus identifying a new class of inhibitory drugs. The peptides described will be useful against a number of important diseases such as heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, arterial hypertension, glaucoma management, insulin resistance, kidney disease, hemolytic anemia, stroke, ischemia reperfusion injury, or acute myeloid leukemia.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: University of Houston SystemInventors: Robert J. Schwartz, Hua Zhang, John W. Craft, Scott Gilbertson, Kevin MacKenzie, Reza Abbasgholizadeh, Steven Bark, James M. Briggs, Robert Fox
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Publication number: 20170296617Abstract: The present disclosure describes peptide inhibitors of Rho-associtated-kinase (ROCK) and their use in treating disorders including heart failure, the leading cause of combined morbidity and mortality in the United States. An inhibitory polypeptide blocks ROCK1 activity in the presence of 1 mM ATP. The binding epitope on ROCK1 was mapped using chemical cross-linking to the Activation Loop, a novel locus identifying a new class of inhibitory drugs. The peptides described will be useful against a number of important diseases such as heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, arterial hypertension, gluacoma management, insulin resistance, kidney disease, hemolytic anemia, stroke, ischemia reperfusion injury, or acute mycloid leukemia.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2015Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEMInventors: Robert J. SCHWARTZ, Hua ZHANG, John W. CRAFT, Scott GILBERTSON, Kevin MACKENZIE, Reza ABBASGHOLIZADEH, Steven BARK, James M. BRIGGS, Robert FOX
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Patent number: 9439924Abstract: The present disclosure describes the role for miR-322(424)/503 in the differentiation of cardiac precursor cells. Thus, the use of these molecules in the programming of resident stem/progenitor cells into cardiomyocytes, both in vitro and in vivo. Such methods find particular use in the treatment of patients post-myocardial infarction to prevent or limit scarring and to promote myocardial repair.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTONInventors: Yu Liu, Robert J Schwartz, Xiaopeng Shen
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Publication number: 20150290237Abstract: The present disclosure describes the role for miR-322(424)/503 in the differentiation of cardiac precursor cells. Thus, the use of these molecules in the programming of resident stem/progenitor cells into cardiomyocytes, both in vitro and in vivo. Such methods find particular use in the treatment of patients post-myocardial infarction to prevent or limit scarring and to promote myocardial repair.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTONInventors: Yu LIU, Robert J SCHWARTZ, Xiaopeng SHEN
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Patent number: 9109232Abstract: A method for modulating cell differentiation capabilities using heterologous gene expression. Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for inducing a cardiac progenitor cell by delivering a reprogramming factor to the cell, wherein the reprogramming factor comprises ETS2 or a combination of ETS2 and Mesp1.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignees: University of Houston, Texas Heart Institute, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Robert J. Schwartz, Vladimir N. Potaman, Jose Francisco Islas
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Publication number: 20140004604Abstract: A method for modulating cell differentiation capabilities using heterologous gene expression. Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for inducing a cardiac progenitor cell by delivering a reprogramming factor to the cell, wherein the reprogramming factor comprises ETS2 or a combination of ETS2 and Mesp1.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicants: University of Houston, The Texas A&M University System, Texas Heart InstituteInventors: Robert J. Schwartz, Vladimir N. Potaman, Jose Francisco Islas
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Patent number: 8504460Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing a financial instrument including determining a current account balance for a financial account, calculating a liability ratio for the financial account, and determining whether to transfer at least a portion of the account balance from a variable sub-account to a low-risk sub-account based on the liability ratio.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: The Prudential Insurance Company of AmericaInventors: Jacob M. Herschler, Daniel O. Kane, N. David Kuperstock, Robert F. O'Donnell, Steven L. Putterman, Dain E. Runestad, Robert J. Schwartz, Nicholas Berardis, Jr., John L. Grucza, Michael A. Guido, J. Scott Dunn
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Patent number: 8486701Abstract: A method for modulating cell differentiation capabilities using heterologous gene expression. Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for inducing a cardiac progenitor cell by delivering a reprogramming factor to the cell, wherein the reprogramming factor comprises ETS2 or a combination of ETS2 and Mesp1.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignees: University of Houston, Texas Heart Institute, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Robert J. Schwartz, Vladimir N. Potaman, Jose Francisco Islas
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Patent number: 8396774Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing a financial instrument including determining a current account balance for a financial account and on a first periodic basis: determining a specified percentage of the value of the financial account, determine the greater of a particular limit and the highest value of the financial account multiplied by the specified percentage on a second periodic basis, and in response to a determination that the highest value of the financial account multiplied by the specified percentage on the second periodic basis is greater than the particular limit, stepping-up the particular limit to equal the highest value of the financial account multiplied by the specified percentage on the second periodic basis.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: The Prudential Insurance Company of AmericaInventors: Jacob M. Herschler, Daniel O. Kane, N. David Kuperstock, Robert Francis O'Donnell, Steven Lee Putterman, Dain Eric Runestad, Robert J. Schwartz, Nicholas Berardis, Jr., John L. Grucza, Michael Albert Guido, J. Scott Dunn
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Patent number: 8178504Abstract: The present invention pertains to compositions and methods useful for treating anemia and other effects that are commonly associated in cancer bearing animals. The invention is accomplished by delivering an effective amount of a nucleic acid expression construct that encodes a GHRH or functional biological equivalent thereof into a tissue of an animal and allowing expression of the encoded gene in the animal.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Robert H. Carpenter, Douglas R. Kern, Robert J. Schwartz, Glen King, Kevin Hahn, Malcolm K. Brenner
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Publication number: 20110223670Abstract: A method for modulating cell differentiation capabilities using heterologous gene expression. Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for inducing a cardiac progenitor cell by delivering a reprogramming factor to the cell, wherein the reprogramming factor comprises ETS2 or a combination of ETS2 and Mesp1.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicants: Texas Heart Institute, University of Houston, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Robert J. Schwartz, Vladimir N. Potaman, Jose Francisco Islas
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Publication number: 20110145169Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing a financial instrument including determining a current account balance for a financial account, calculating a liability ratio for the financial account, and determining whether to transfer at least a portion of the account balance from a variable sub-account to a low-risk sub-account based on the liability ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2011Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: The Prudential Insurance Company of AmericaInventors: Jacob M. Herschler, Daniel O. Kane, N. David Kuperstock, Robert Francis O'Donnell, Steven Lee Putterman, Dain Eric Runestad, Robert J. Schwartz, Nicholas Berardis, JR., John L. Grucza, Michael Albert Guido, J. Scott Dunn
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Patent number: 7960536Abstract: The invention concerns making and evaluating synthetic regulatory regions for controlling gene expression. The invention features a method for identifying transcription factor binding sites and a method for evaluating the regulatory functions of synthetic regulatory regions.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Genetronics, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Schwartz, Eric M. Eastman, Xuyang Li, Jeff Nordstrom
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Patent number: 7895109Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing a financial instrument including determining a current account balance for a financial account, calculating a liability ratio for the financial account, and determining whether to transfer at least a portion of the account balance from a variable sub-account to a low-risk sub-account based on the liability ratio.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: The Prudential Insurance Company of AmericaInventors: Jacob M. Herschler, Daniel O. Kane, N. David Kuperstock, Robert Francis O'Donnell, Steven Lee Putterman, Dain Eric Runestad, Robert J. Schwartz, Nicholas Berardis, Jr., John L. Grucza, Michael Albert Guido, J. Scott Dunn
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Publication number: 20100332365Abstract: A method for providing a financial instrument includes determining an initial account balance associated with a financial instrument based upon an initial deposit amount, wherein the financial instrument includes an account with an account balance that changes over time. The method further includes establishing a first guarantee of a protected value, the protected value including at least an amount based upon the initial account balance growing at a minimum growth rate for a defined period of time or until one or more defined events occur, whichever is sooner; and establishing a second guarantee that a beneficiary may periodically receive a transfer of an amount of money for the life of a designated party, wherein the amount comprises a percentage of the protected value at the time of a particular event, provided that the amount may vary based upon withdrawals from the account in excess of a first particular limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: The Prudential Insurance Company of AmericaInventors: Robert Francis O'Donnell, Marc Joseph Buzzelli, Robert Alan Fishbein, Jacob M. Herschler, Fiona Alexandra Jackman-Ward, Daniel O. Kane, N. David Kuperstock, Gary E. Phifer, III, Steven Lee Putterman, Polly Rae, Dain Eric Runestad, Robert J. Schwartz, Christopher Patrick Shecklev
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Patent number: 7831496Abstract: A method for providing a financial instrument includes determining an initial account balance associated with a financial instrument based upon an initial deposit amount, wherein the financial instrument includes an account with an account balance that changes over time. The method further includes establishing a first guarantee of a protected value, the protected value including at least an amount based upon the initial account balance growing at a minimum growth rate for a defined period of time or until one or more defined events occur, whichever is sooner; and establishing a second guarantee that a beneficiary may periodically receive a transfer of an amount of money for the life of a designated party, wherein the amount comprises a percentage of the protected value at the time of a particular event, provided that the amount may vary based upon withdrawals from the account in excess of a first particular limit.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Prudential Insurance Company of AmericaInventors: Robert Francis O'Donnell, Marc Joseph Buzzelli, Robert Alan Fishbein, Jacob M. Herschler, Fiona Alexandra Jackman-Ward, Daniel O. Kane, N. David Kuperstock, Gary E. Phifer, III, Steven Lee Putterman, Polly Rae, Dain Eric Runestad, Robert J. Schwartz, Christopher Patrick Shecklev