Patents by Inventor Steven L. Zeichner

Steven L. Zeichner 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: 20240309390
    Abstract: Provided are bacterial minicells derived from genome reduced (GR) having a reduced number of expressed genes and/or is a bacterium having one or more mutated min genes. In some embodiments, the minicell has a recombinant protein present in and/or on the surface of the minicell. In some embodiments, the recombinant protein is an antigen and in some embodiments, the minicell induces an enhanced immune response against the antigen when administered to a subject. In some embodiments, the bacterium has an autotransporter (AT) expression vector encoding the recombinant protein to express the recombinant protein on the surface of the bacterium and/or the minicell derived therefrom. Also provided are vaccine compositions that include bacterial minicells, methods for producing antibodies, methods for vaccinating subjects, and expression vectors encoding heterologous proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Steven L. Zeichner, Mark Kester
  • Publication number: 20240261394
    Abstract: Provided are modified bacteria and derivatives thereof that express nucleotide sequence encoding an antigen of a viral family selected from the group comprising Retroviridae (e.g., HIV, including a HIV Fusion Peptide antigen), Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Arenaviridae, 5 Filoviridae, and/or Coronaviridae (e.g., an SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 Fusion Peptide, and/or PEDV). In some embodiments, the bacterium has a reduced genome and induces an enhanced immune response against the viral antigen of interest when administered to a subject. In some embodiments, the viral (e.g., SARS-CoV, 10 SARS-CoV-2, PEDV, and/or HIV) antigen is expressed on a surface of a bacterium. Also provided are method for producing antibodies against viral antigens, vaccine compositions, methods for vaccinating subjects, methods for treating viral infections in subjects, and expression vectors for expressing viral antigens including but not limited to coronavirus (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Steven L. Zeichner, Xiang-Jin Meng, Debin Tian
  • Publication number: 20220362361
    Abstract: Provided are modified bacteria and derivatives thereof that express antigens of interest. In some embodiments, the bacterium has a reduced genome and induces an enhanced immune response against the antigen of interest when administered to a subject as compared to an immune response that would have been induced by a bacterium of the same strain that has a full complement of genes. In some embodiments, the antigen is expressed on a surface of a bacterium. Also provided are method for producing antibody against antigens of interest, vaccine compositions, methods for vaccinating subjects, methods for treating cancers in subjects, methods for modulating inappropriate and undesirable immune response, methods for targeting materials in or on a human or animal that may be the cause of disease or otherwise undesirable phenotypes, and expression vectors for expressing antigens on the surface of reduced genome bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventor: Steven L. Zeichner
  • Publication number: 20210393768
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are bacteria-based HIV MPER vaccine candidates, as well as bacteria-based candidates for other viruses and for bacteria. The HIV vaccine candidates express MPER-derived antigens on their surfaces using Gram autotransporters. The surface-expressed MPER antigens bind several different MPER-directed anti-HIV Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies. When the bacteria expressing the MPER-derived antigens on their surfaces are used to immunize mice they elicit the production of sera and vaginal wash material that bind the bacteria expressing the MPER antigens. At least one of the bacteria expressing MPER-derived antigens on their surfaces elicits the production of sera with anti-HIV neutralizing activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Steven L. Zeichner, Barbie Ganser-Pornillos, Owen Pornillos
  • Patent number: 10520503
    Abstract: A method for determining a likelihood of appendicitis in a subject is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (a) determining the relative abundance of microorganisms corresponding to one or more operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in a test biological sample obtained from the subject; (b) comparing the relative abundance of the microorganisms in each of the one or more OTUs to a corresponding reference value assigned to each of the one or more OTUs, and (c) determining a likelihood of appendicitis in the subject based on the result in step (b), wherein a significant increase in relative abundance of the microorganisms in the one or more OTUs indicates a high risk of appendicitis in the subject. Also disclosed is a kit for determining a likelihood of appendicitis in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE, CHILDREN'S NATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE
    Inventors: Steven L. Zeichner, Anthony Sandler, Claire Fraser, Katherine Davenport, Emmanuel Mongodin, Hope Jackson
  • Publication number: 20150225784
    Abstract: A method for determining a likelihood of appendicitis in a subject is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (a) determining the relative abundance of microorganisms corresponding to one or more operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in a test biological sample obtained from the subject; (b) comparing the relative abundance of the microorganisms in each of the one or more OTUs to a corresponding reference value assigned to each of the one or more OTUs, and (c) determining a likelihood of appendicitis in the subject based on the result in step (b), wherein a significant increase in relative abundance of the microorganisms in the one or more OTUs indicates a high risk of appendicitis in the subject. Also disclosed is a kit for determining a likelihood of appendicitis in a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: STEVEN L. ZEICHNER, Anthony Sandler, Claire Fraser, Katherine Davenport, Emmanuel Mongodin, Hope Jackson
  • Patent number: 9051665
    Abstract: A method for screening biomolecules molecules is disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes inoculating an expression library or a portion of the expression library into an animal, monitoring the relative abundance of individual members of the expression library; and analyzing molecules expressed by members that show significantly reduced relative abundance after inoculation into the animal. Also disclosed is an expression vector and an expression library employing the vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Steven L. Zeichner
  • Patent number: 9006202
    Abstract: A method for treating latent HIV infection is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-I?B? agent, an anti-I?B? agent or both; and administering to the subject an effective amount of an antiviral agent. A pharmaceutical composition for treating latent HIV infection is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Children's Research Institute, Children's National Medical Center
    Inventors: Steven L. Zeichner, Guerau Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20130337048
    Abstract: A method for treating latent HIV infection is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-I?B? agent, an anti-I?B? agent or both; and administering to the subject an effective amount of an antiviral agent. A pharmaceutical composition for treating latent HIV infection is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Steven L. ZEICHNER, Guerau Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8497251
    Abstract: A method for treating latent HIV infection is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-I?B? agent, an anti-I?B? agent or both; and administering to the subject an effective amount of an antiviral agent. A pharmaceutical composition for treating latent HIV infection is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Children's Research Institute, Children's National Medical Center
    Inventors: Steven L. Zeichner, Guerau Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20120263782
    Abstract: A method for treating latent HIV infection is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-I?B? agent, an anti-I?B? agent or both; and administering to the subject an effective amount of an antiviral agent. A pharmaceutical composition for treating latent HIV infection is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE, CHILDREN'S NATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
    Inventors: STEVEN L. ZEICHNER, GUERAU FERNANDEZ
  • Patent number: 8211866
    Abstract: A method for treating latent HIV infection is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-I?B? agent, an anti-I?B? agent or both; and administering to the subject an effective amount of an antiviral agent. A pharmaceutical composition for treating latent HIV infection is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Children's Research Institute, Children's National Medical Center
    Inventors: Steven L. Zeichner, Guerau Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20100183707
    Abstract: A method for treating latent HIV infection is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-I?B? agent, an anti-I?B? agent or both; and administering to the subject an effective amount of an antiviral agent. A pharmaceutical composition for treating latent HIV infection is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Children's Research Institute, Children's National Medical Center
    Inventors: Steven L. Zeichner, Guerau Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20100152059
    Abstract: A method for screening biomolecues molecules is disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes inoculating an expression library or a portion of the expression library into an animal, monitoring the relative abundance of individual members of the expression library; and analyzing molecules expressed by members that show significantly reduced relative abundance after inoculation into the animal. Also disclosed is an expression vector and an expression library employing the vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Steven L. Zeichner