Patents by Inventor Thomas Blankenstein

Thomas Blankenstein 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: 20250098651
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-human mammal comprising in its genome at least two human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles, wherein said at least two human HLA alleles are functionally expressed in that the corresponding MHC I polypeptides are expressed on the surface of cells of said mammal and present MHC antigens to which the non-human mammal provides an antigen-specific CD8+ T cell response and optionally wherein said at least two human HLA class I alleles comprise; and optionally wherein said at least two human HLA class I alleles comprise: a) at least one human HLA-A allele, and/or b) at least one human HLA-B allele, and/or c) at least one human HLA-C allele, and/or d) (a) and (b); and/or e) (a) and (c); and/or f) (b) and (c); and/or g) (a), (b) and (c). The present invention further relates to uses of such a transgenic mammal for generating one or more T cell receptors that are capable of binding to an antigen of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Arunraj DHAMODARAN, Thomas BLANKENSTEIN, Lorenz KNACKSTEDT, Lucia PONCETTE, Elisa KIEBACK
  • Publication number: 20250101078
    Abstract: The present invention inter alia relates to an antigen recognizing construct that binds to a specific peptide with determinable affinity, a T cell receptor having antigenic specificity for KRAS, a nucleic acid sequence encoding said antigen recognizing construct or T cell receptor, a vector comprising said nucleic acid sequence, and a host cell comprising said antigen recognizing construct or T cell receptor. The invention also relates to the antigen recognizing construct or T cell receptor, the nucleic acid sequence, the vector or the host cell for use in medicine or for use in the prevention and/or treatment of a disease. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of treating a disease as well as a pharmaceutical composition and a kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Lucia PONCETTE, Elisa KIEBACK, Jennifer ODURO, Arunraj DHAMODARAN, Lorenz KNACKSTEDT, Alexei LELIAVSKI, Thomas BLANKENSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20240189352
    Abstract: The invention is based on antigen binding proteins (ABPs) such as T-cell receptors (TCR) expressed on T-cells, which have a specificity to bind to MIC presented Rac2 and Rac1 derived neo-epitopes. Hence, such MHC presented peptides are derived from mutated versions of Rac1 and Rac2, such as preferably RAC2P29L and/or RAC1P29S. Provided are isolated ABPs as well as genetic constructs expressing the ABPs, recombinant host cells harboring the ABP of the invention and methods for producing such ABPs and host cells. Moreover, provided are medical applications involving the TCR of the invention, for example in context of an adoptive T-cell therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicants: MAX-DELBRÜCK-CENTRUM FÜR MOLEKULARE MEDIZIN in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
    Inventors: Thomas BLANKENSTEIN, Gerald WILLIMSKY
  • Publication number: 20230025572
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel high avidity antigen recognizing constructs, such as antibodies or T cell receptors, which specifically bind to the melanoma associated antigen (MAGE) A1. The constructs of the invention are particularly useful for the diagnosis, prevention or therapy of tumorous diseases which are characterized by the specific expression of the MAGE-A1 antigen. Furthermore provided are nucleic acids, vectors and host cells—such as CD4 or CD8 positive T cells—which encode, comprise or present the antigen recognizing constructs of the invention. The invention thus provides new approaches for immune therapy, specifically adoptive T cell therapy, for treating cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: THOMAS BLANKENSTEIN, MATTHIAS OBENAUS, CATARINA LEITÃO
  • Publication number: 20220363732
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of immunotherapy, in particular, adoptive T cell therapy or T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy of cancer. The invention provides nucleic acids encoding at least one TCR alpha or beta chain construct of a TCR construct capable of specifically binding to a peptide from the T-cell lineage specific antigen CD5, preferably SEQ ID NO: 1 or 33, in the context of a human MHC I such as HLA-A*02, in particular HLA-A*02:01. The invention also provides corresponding proteins and host cells, preferably, CD8+ T cells, expressing said TCR construct. Treatment optionally is in the context of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, in particular, mismatch-transplantation, or haploidentical transplantation, or in combination with an agent capable of inhibiting expression of HLA-A*02 in the TCR-transgenic T cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Antonio PEZZUTTO, Thomas BLANKENSTEIN, Nese CAKMAK-GÖRÜR, Elmehdi BELBARAKA
  • Patent number: 11447536
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel high avidity antigen recognizing constructs, such as antibodies or T cell receptors, which specifically bind to the melanoma associated antigen (MAGE) A1. The constructs of the invention are particularly useful for the diagnosis, prevention or therapy of tumorous diseases which are characterized by the specific expression of the MAGE-A1 antigen. Furthermore provided are nucleic acids, vectors and host cells—such as CD4 or CD8 positive T cells—which encode, comprise or present the antigen recognizing constructs of the invention. The invention thus provides new approaches for immune therapy, specifically adoptive T cell therapy, for treating cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: MAX-DELBRÜCK-CENTRUM FÜR MOLEKULARE MEDIZIN (MDC) BERLIN-BUCH
    Inventors: Thomas Blankenstein, Matthias Obenaus, Catarina Leitâo
  • Patent number: 11401316
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel high avidity antigen recognizing constructs against Human Papilloma Virus antigens. The invention provides novel T cell receptor (TCR) based molecules which are selective and specific for HPV 16/18 proteins E5, E6 and E7. The TCR of the invention, and HPV antigen-binding fragments derived therefrom, are of use for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HPV infection, as well as for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HPV infection mediated secondary diseases as HPV infection caused cancers, such as cervical, nasopharyngeal or head and neck cancer. Further provided are nucleic acids encoding the proteins of the invention, and recombinant cells expressing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: MAX-DELBRUECK-CENTRUM FUER MOLEKULARE MEDIZIN IN DER HELMHOLTZ-GEMEINSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Blankenstein, Gerald Willimsky
  • Publication number: 20220064256
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of immunotherapy, in particular, adoptive T cell therapy or T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy of cancer, in particular, of B cell lymphoma or B cell leukemia. The invention provides a nucleic acid encoding TCR alpha or beta chain constructs of TCR constructs capable of specifically binding to a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 1, derived from the lineage specific antigen CD22, in the context of HLA-A2 and to subsequently lyse CD22-positive cells. The invention further provides a corresponding protein and host cell, e.g., a CD8+ T cell, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and therapeutic use for treatment of B cell lymphoma or B cell leukemia, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas BLANKENSTEIN, Antonio PEZZUTTO, Simone RHEIN
  • Publication number: 20210061876
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to antigen recognizing constructs against tumor specific proteasome splicing variants. The invention in particular provides novel T cell receptor (TCR) based molecules which are selective and specific for tumor cells carrying antigenic epitopes generated by proteasome peptide splicing of tumor specific antigens. The TCRs of the invention, and antigen binding fragments derived therefrom, are of use for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of proliferative diseases, preferably for the treatment of cancer. Further provided are nucleic acids encoding the antigen recognizing constructs of the invention, vectors comprising these nucleic acids, recombinant cells expressing the antigen recognizing constructs and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicants: Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts, Imperial College Innovations Limited, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
    Inventors: Thomas BLANKENSTEIN, Gerald WILLIMSKY, Juliane LIEPE, Peter Michael KLOETZEL, Michele MISHTO, Christin BEIER
  • Patent number: 10781243
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of immunotherapy, in particular adoptive T cell therapy or T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy of cancer. The invention provides a nucleic acid encoding at least one T cell receptor alpha chain construct and/or TCR beta chain construct of a TCR construct capable of specifically binding to an epitope from NY-ESO-1 (also designated CTAG-1) in complex with a human MHC, wherein the TCR alpha chain construct and/or the TCR beta chain construct comprises a complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) having at least 90% sequence identity to an amino acid selected from SEQ ID NO: 1-20. The invention provides TCR constructs restricted to an epitope from NY-ESO-1 presented on MHC I, and, for the first time, TCR constructs restricted to an epitope from NY-ESO-1 presented on MHC II molecules, and thus enables a combined adoptive T cell therapy with both recombinant CD4+ and re-combinant CD8+ T cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: MAX-DELBRÜCK-CENTRUM FÜR MOLEKULARE MEDIZIN IN DER HELMHOLTZ-GEMEINSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Blankenstein, Lucia Poncette, Xiaojing Chen
  • Patent number: 10683336
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of novel T-cell receptors (TCR) which provide a reduced risk of adverse events in immune therapy, specifically in adoptive T cell transfer. The TCRs produced according to the method of the invention are specific for tumor cells and do not react with healthy tissue. Furthermore provided are nucleic acids encoding the TCR of the invention, vectors and host cells comprising the TCRs of the invention as well as their use is the treatment of tumorous diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Max-Delbrüeck-Centrum Für Molekulare Medizin (MDC) Berlin-Buch
    Inventors: Thomas Blankenstein, Gerald Willimsky
  • Publication number: 20190375816
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel high avidity antigen recognizing constructs, such as antibodies or T cell receptors, which specifically bind to the melanoma associated antigen (MAGE) A1. The constructs of the invention are particularly useful for the diagnosis, prevention or therapy of tumorous diseases which are characterized by the specific expression of the MAGE-A1 antigen. Furthermore provided are nucleic acids, vectors and host cells—such as CD4 or CD8 positive T cells—which encode, comprise or present the antigen recognizing constructs of the invention. The invention thus provides new means for immune therapy, specifically adoptive T cell therapy, for treating cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Blankenstein, Matthias Obenaus, Catarina Leitão
  • Publication number: 20190359677
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to antigen recognizing constructs against antigens of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV). The invention in particular provides novel T cell receptor (TCR) based molecules which are selective and specific for the infected host cells and tumor cell expressed MCV derived antigens. The TCR of the invention, and antigen binding fragments derived therefrom, are of use for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancerous diseases. Further provided are nucleic acids encoding the antigen recognizing constructs of the invention, vectors comprising these nucleic acids, recombinant cells expressing the antigen recognizing constructs and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas BLANKENSTEIN, Ioannis GAVVOVIDIS
  • Patent number: 10377808
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel high avidity antigen recognizing constructs, such as antibodies or T cell receptors, which specifically bind to the melanoma associated antigen (MAGE) A1. The constructs of the invention are particularly useful for the diagnosis, prevention or therapy of tumorous diseases which are characterized by the specific expression of the MAGE-A1 antigen. Furthermore provided are nucleic acids, vectors and host cells—such as CD4 or CD8 positive T cells—which encode, comprise or present the antigen recognizing constructs of the invention. The invention thus provides new means for immune therapy, specifically adoptive T cell therapy, for treating cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Max-Delbrück-Centrum Für Molekulare Medizin (MDC) Berlin-Buch
    Inventors: Thomas Blankenstein, Matthias Obenaus, Catarina Leitão
  • Publication number: 20190062398
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel high avidity antigen recognizing constructs against Human Papilloma Virus antigens. The invention provides novel T cell receptor (TCR) based molecules which are selective and specific for HPV 16/18 proteins E5, E6 and E7. The TCR of the invention, and HPV antigen-binding fragments derived therefrom, are of use for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HPV infection, as well as for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HPV infection mediated secondary diseases as HPV infection caused cancers, such as cervical, nasopharyngeal or head and neck cancer. Further provided are nucleic acids encoding the proteins of the invention, and recombinant cells expressing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas BLANKENSTEIN, Gerald WILLIMSKY
  • Publication number: 20180057560
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of immunotherapy, in particular adoptive T cell therapy or T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy of cancer. The invention provides a nucleic acid encoding at least one T cell receptor alpha chain construct and/or TCR beta chain construct of a TCR construct capable of specifically binding to an epitope from NY-ESO-1 (also designated CTAG-1) in complex with a human MHC, wherein the TCR alpha chain construct and/or the TCR beta chain construct comprises a complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) having at least 90% sequence identity to an amino acid selected from SEQ ID NO: 1-20. The invention provides TCR constructs restricted to an epitope from NY-ESO-1 presented on MHC I, and, for the first time, TCR constructs restricted to an epitope from NY-ESO-1 presented on MHC II molecules, and thus enables a combined adoptive T cell therapy with both recombinant CD4+ and re-combinant CD8+ T cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas BLANKENSTEIN, Lucia PONCETTE, Xiaojing CHEN
  • Publication number: 20160222080
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a functional T cell receptor (TCR) fusion protein (TFP) recognizing and binding to at least one MHC-presented epitope, and containing at least one amino acid sequence recognizing and binding an antigen. The present invention is further directed to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the same, a T cell expressing said TFP, and a pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of diseases involving malignant cells expressing said tumor-associated antigen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Elisa KIEBACK, Jehad CHARO, Thomas BLANKENSTEIN, Wolfgang UCKERT, Cynthia PEREZ
  • Publication number: 20150353622
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel high avidity antigen recognizing constructs, such as antibodies or T cell receptors, which specifically bind to the melanoma associated antigen (MAGE) A1. The constructs of the invention are particularly useful for the diagnosis, prevention or therapy of tumorous diseases which are characterized by the specific expression of the MAGE-A1 antigen. Furthermore provided are nucleic acids, vectors and host cells—such as CD4 or CD8 positive T cells—which encode, comprise or present the antigen recognizing constructs of the invention. The invention thus provides new means for immune therapy, specifically adoptive T cell therapy, for treating cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas BLANKENSTEIN, Matthias OBENAUS, Catarina LEITAO
  • Publication number: 20150307585
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of novel T-cell receptors (TCR) which provide a reduced risk of adverse events in immune therapy, specifically in adoptive T cell transfer. The TCRs produced according to the method of the invention are specific for tumor cells and do not react with healthy tissue. Furthermore provided are nucleic acids encoding the TCR of the invention, vectors and host cells comprising the TCRs of the invention as well as their use is the treatment of tumorous diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas BLANKENSTEIN, Gerald WILLIMSKY
  • Patent number: 9133264
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selecting a host cell population expressing a functional fusion protein comprising at least one epitope-providing amino acid sequence (epitope-tag) and the amino acid sequence of a protein that is expressed on the surface of said host cell. Preferably, the amino acid sequence comprises an alpha or beta chain of a T-cell receptor. The present invention further relates to uses of said functional T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha or beta chain fusion protein in medicine, in particular in adoptive transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: MAX-DELBRUCK-CENTRUM FUR MOLEKULARE MEDIZIN (MDC) BERLIN-BUCH
    Inventors: Thomas Blankenstein, Wolfgang Uckert, Elisa Kieback, Jehad Charo