Patents by Inventor Sean M. Kerwin

Sean M. Kerwin 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: 7294643
    Abstract: The present invention includes a number of structural analogues of UK-1. A comparision of the anticancer activity of the UK-1 analogues with their ability to inhibit the growth of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus demonstrates that a structurally simplified analogue of UK-1 retains the natural product's selective activity against cancer cells. Structurally conservative changes to UK-1 that diminish Mg2+-binding ability may result in a dramatic decrease in cancer cell cytotoxicity. The results may establish a minimum structural pharmacophore as well as a functional role for Mg2+-binding in the selective cytotoxicity of UK-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Sean M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 6908948
    Abstract: A chemical composition and method of use of the composition is described. The chemical composition includes an aza-enediynes, aza-enyne allenes, or an aza-diallenes. These compound are preferably non-hydrolyzable, cationic compounds that bind to nucleic acids. In addition it is believed that these compounds may undergo chemical reactions in the presence of a nucleic acid to generate reactive intermediates that cleave nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Research Development Foundation
    Inventors: Sean M. Kerwin, Wendi M. David
  • Publication number: 20040229894
    Abstract: Certain non-nucleoside compounds that will selectively inhibit telomerase by targeting the nucleic add structures, such as G-quadruplexes, that may be associated with human telomeres or telomerase have been identified. Inhibition of human telomerase by two perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimides and a carbocyanine has been demonstrated. 1H-NMR studies have evidenced the stabilization of a G-quadruplex by the perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide compounds and provided evidence that these and structurally related compounds inhibit the telomerase enzyme by a mechanism consistent with interaction with G-quadruplex structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Sean M. Kerwin, Oleg Y. Fedoroff, Miguel Salazar, Laurence H. Hurley
  • Patent number: 6720344
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for stimulating osteoblast proliferation and methods for selecting pharmacologically active compounds useful for stimulating osteoblast proliferation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Sean M. Kerwin, Laurence H. Hurley, Mark R. DeLuca, Bob M. Moore, III, Gregory R. Mundy
  • Patent number: 6689887
    Abstract: Certain non-nucleoside compounds that will selectively inhibit telomerase by targeting the nucleic add structures, such as G-quadruplexes, that may be associated with human telomeres or telomerase have been identified. Inhibition of human telomerase by two perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimides and a carbocyanine has been demonstrated. 1H-NMR studies have evidenced the stabilization of a G-quadruplex by the perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide compounds and provided evidence that these and structurally related compounds inhibit the telomerase enzyme by a mechanism consistent with interaction with G-quadruplex structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Sean M. Kerwin, Oleg Y. Fedoroff, Miguel Salazar, Laurence H. Hurley
  • Patent number: 6649631
    Abstract: Compounds containing two aromatic systems covalently linked through a linker containing one or more atoms, or “linker” defined as including a covalent bond per se so as to space the aromatic systems at a distance 1.5-15 Å, are effective in treating conditions associated with bone deficits. The compounds can be administered to vertebrate subjects alone or in combination with additional agents that promote bone growth or that inhibit bone resorption. They can be screened for activity prior to administration by assessing their ability to effect the transcription of a reporter gene coupled to a promoter associated with a bone morphogenetic protein and/or their ability to stimulate calvarial growth in model animal systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignees: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System, ZymoGenetics Corporation, OsteoScreen
    Inventors: Mark W. Orme, Nand Baindur, Kirk G. Robbins, Scott M. Harris, Maria Kontoyianni, Laurence H. Hurley, Sean M. Kerwin, Gregory Mundy, Charles Petrie
  • Patent number: 6623930
    Abstract: Certain non-nucleoside compounds that will selectively inhibit telomerase by targeting the nucleic add structures, such as G-quadruplexes, that may be associated with human telomeres or telomerase have been identified. Inhibition of human telomerase by two perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimides and a carbocyanine has been demonstrated. 1H-NMR studies have evidenced the stabilization of a G-quadruplex by the perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide compounds and provided evidence that these and structurally related compounds inhibit the telomerase enzyme by a mechanism consistent with interaction with G-quadruplex structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Sean M. Kerwin, Oleg Y. Fedoroff, Miguel Salazar, Laurence H. Hurley
  • Patent number: 6593306
    Abstract: It was found that normal human stem cells produce a regulated non-processive telomerase activity, while cancer cells produce a processive telomerase activity. Nucleotide analogs, such as 7-deaza-2′-deoxyquanosine-5′-triphosphate (7-deaza-dGTP) were found to be substrates for processive telomerase and incorporated into telomeric sequence. The incorporation of this nucleotide subsequently affected the processivity of telomerase, converting processive telomerase to non-processive telomerase. The incorporation of this nucleotide analogs was also found to inhibit formation of G-quartets by telomeric sequence. Other methods for converting cancer processive telomerase to the more benign non-processive telomerase include partially cleaving the telomerase RNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas Systems, CTRC Research Foundation
    Inventors: Shih-Fong Chen, Ira Maine, Sean M. Kerwin, Terace M. Fletcher, Miquel Salazar, Blain Mamiya, Makoto Wajima, Bradford E. Windle
  • Publication number: 20030119791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmacologically active compounds which are capable of binding to nuclear hormone receptors and are useful for the stimulation of osteoblast proliferation and ultimately bone growth. This invention also relates to the use of such compounds for the treatment or prevention of diseases and/or disorders associated with nuclear hormone receptor families.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Sean M. Kerwin, Laurence H. Hurley, Mark R. DeLuca, Bob M. Moore, Gregory R. Mundy
  • Patent number: 6528517
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel quinobenzoxazine self-assembly complex on DNA and on the topoisomerase II-DNA complex. The related model is used to design a new series of quinobenzoxazines, pyridobenzophenoxazines, pyrridonaphthophenoxazines, and other related compounds that may exhibit anticancer or antibiotic activity. The anticancer activity of these compounds is thought to operate via stabilization of the topoisomerase II-DNA complex and/or interaction with G-quadruplexes, while the antibiotic activity of these compounds derives from their ability to inhibit gyrase, the bacterial type II topoisomerase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Laurence H. Hurley, Qingping Zeng, Yan Kwok, Jongsik Gam, Sean M. Kerwin
  • Publication number: 20030040525
    Abstract: Certain non-nucleoside compounds that will selectively inhibit telomerase by targeting the nucleic add structures, such as G-quadruplexes, that may be associated with human telomeres or telomerase have been identified. Inhibition of human telomerase by two perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimides and a carbocyanine has been demonstrated. 1H-NMR studies have evidenced the stabilization of a G-quadruplex by the perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide compounds and provided evidence that these and structurally related compounds inhibit the telomerase enzyme by a mechanism consistent with interaction with G-quadruplex structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Sean M. Kerwin, Oleg Y. Fedoroff, Miguel Salazar, Laurence H. Hurley
  • Publication number: 20020155443
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a novel DNA-interactive compound is formed by coupling an alkali metal ion binding moiety with a DNA interactive moiety. An alkali metal ion binding moiety is any group capable of binding alkali metal ions (e.g., lithium, sodium, potassium, etc.). The DNA-interactive moiety is a group of atoms or functionality capable of covalently modifying DNA, through, for example, alkylation, cleavage, metalation, hydrolysis, or crosslinking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Sean M. Kerwin, Mark M. McPhee
  • Publication number: 20020107258
    Abstract: Certain non-nucleoside compounds that will selectively inhibit telomerase by targeting the nucleic add structures, such as G-quadruplexes, that may be associated with human telomeres or telomerase have been identified. Inhibition of human telomerase by two perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimides and a carbocyanine has been demonstrated. 1H-NMR studies have evidenced the stabilization of a G-quadruplex by the perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide compounds and provided evidence that these and structurally related compounds inhibit the telomerase enzyme by a mechanism consistent with interaction with G-quadruplex structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The Universty of Texas System
    Inventors: Sean M. Kerwin, Oleg Y. Fedoroff, Miguel Salazar, Laurence H. Hurley
  • Patent number: 6156763
    Abstract: Certain non-nucleoside compounds that will selectively inhibit telomerase by targeting the nucleic add structures, such as G-quadruplexes, that may be associated with human telomeres or telomerase have been identified. Inhibition of human telomerase by two perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimides and a carbocyanine has been demonstrated. .sup.1 H-NMR studies have evidenced the stabilization of a G-quadruplex by the perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide compounds and provided evidence that these and structurally related compounds inhibit the telomerase enzyme by a mechanism consistent with interaction with G-quadruplex structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Sean M. Kerwin, Oleg Y. Fedoroff, Miguel Salazar, Laurence H. Hurley
  • Patent number: 6054442
    Abstract: It was found that normal human stem cells produce a regulated non-processive telomerase activity, while cancer cells produce a processive telomerase activity. Nucleotide analogs, such as 7-deaza-2'-deoxyquanosine-5'-triphosphate (7-deaza-dGTP) were found to be substrates for processive telomerase and incorporated into telomeric sequence. The incorporation of this nucleotide subsequently affected the processivity of telomerase, converting processive telomerase to non-processive telomerase. The incorporation of this nucleotide analogs was also found to inhibit formation of G-quartets by telomeric sequence. Other methods for converting cancer processive telomerase to the more benign non-processive telomerase include partially cleaving the telomerase RNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignees: Board of Regents, University of Texas System, CTRC Research Foundation
    Inventors: Shih-Fong Chen, Ira Maine, Sean M. Kerwin, Terace M. Fletcher, Miguel Salazar, Blain Mamiya, Bradford E. Windle, Makoto Wajima
  • Patent number: 6004939
    Abstract: It was found that normal human stem cells produce a regulated non-processive telomerase activity, while cancer cells produce a processive telomerase activity. Nucleotide analogs, such as 7-deaza-2'-deoxyquanosine-5'-triphosphate (7-deaza-dGTP) were found to be substrates for processive telomerase and incorporated into telomeric sequence. The incorporation of this nucleotide subsequently affected the processivity of telomerase, converting processive telomerase to non-processive telomerase. The incorporation of this nucleotide analogs was also found to inhibit formation of G-quartets by telomeric sequence. Other methods for converting cancer processive telomerase to the more benign non-processive telomerase include partially cleaving the telomerase RNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignees: CTRC Research Foundation Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Shih-Fong Chen, Ira Maine, Sean M. Kerwin, Terace M. Fletcher, Miquel Salazar, Blain Mamiya, Makoto Wajima, Bradford E. Windle
  • Patent number: 5922753
    Abstract: Compounds containing two aromatic systems covalently linked through a linker containing one or more atoms, or "linker" defined as including a covalent bond per se so as to space the aromatic systems at a distance 1.5-15 .ANG., are effective in treating conditions associated with bone deficits. The compounds can be administered to vertebrate subjects alone or in combination with additional agents that promote bone growth or that inhibit bone resorption. They can be screened for activity prior to administration by assessing their ability to effect the transcription of a reporter gene coupled to a promoter associated with a bone morphogenetic protein and/or their ability to stimulate calvarial growth in model animal systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignees: Zymogenetics, Inc., OsteoScreen, Inc., University of Texas at Austin
    Inventors: Charles Petrie, Mark W. Orme, Nand Baindur, Kirk G. Robbins, Laurence H. Hurley, Sean M. Kerwin, Gregory R. Mundy