Patents by Inventor Timothy A. Springer

Timothy A. Springer 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: 9580482
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against a parasite of the genus Plasmodium in a mammal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Children's Medical Center Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Chafen Lu, Gaojie Song, Adem Koksal
  • Publication number: 20160084825
    Abstract: The methods and compositions described herein are based, in part, on the discovery that the introduction of a disulfide bond into an integrin polypeptide by the substitution of at least one cysteine residue in the polypeptide permits stabilization of the integrin in a “closed/inactive” state. This stabilizing disulfide bond permits integrins to be screened for a candidate molecule that can bind to the closed state. In particular, this approach can be used to screen for agents that bind to the closed state of an integrin polypeptide, and are useful as therapeutic treatments to prevent integrin activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Bing Hao Luo
  • Publication number: 20150147349
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against a parasite of the genus Plasmodium in a mammal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Chafen Lu, Gaojie Song, Adem Koksal
  • Publication number: 20150044779
    Abstract: The methods and compositions described herein are based, in part, on the discovery that the introduction of a disulfide bond into an integrin polypeptide by the substitution of at least one cysteine residue in the polypeptide permits stabilization of the integrin in a “closed/inactive” state. This stabilizing disulfide bond permits integrins to be screened for a candidate molecule that can bind to the closed state. In particular, this approach can be used to screen for agents that bind to the closed state of an integrin polypeptide, and are useful as therapeutic treatments to prevent integrin activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Bing Hao Luo
  • Patent number: 8877893
    Abstract: The methods and compositions described herein are based, in part, on the discovery that the introduction of a disulfide bond into an integrin polypeptide by the substitution of at least one cysteine residue in the polypeptide permits stabilization of the integrin in a “closed/inactive” state. This stabilizing disulfide bond permits integrins to be screened for a candidate molecule that can bind to the closed state. In particular, this approach can be used to screen for agents that bind to the closed state of an integrin polypeptide, and are useful as therapeutic treatments to prevent integrin activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Children's Medical Center Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Bing Hao Luo
  • Publication number: 20130040845
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention herein relate to methods of studying binding interactions between two entities and methods for screening of modulators of such binding interactions, in particular, the protein-protein interaction observed in receptor-ligand interactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: IMMUNE DISEASE INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Jongseong Kim
  • Patent number: 8247185
    Abstract: The disclosure provides, inter alia, binding proteins (e.g., antibodies) that bind to an integrin in an activated conformation, e.g., activated LFA-1 (“aLFA-1 ”), e.g., relative to a non-activated conformation of LFA-1. In one embodiment, the binding proteins inhibit at least one function of an aLFA-1, e.g., inhibit a binding interaction between aLFA-1 and a cognate ligand of aLFA-1, e.g., an ICAM protein. The binding proteins can be used to treat or prevent an inflammatory disorder or other disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: DYAX Corp., The CBR Institute for Biomedical Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cohen, Isaac J. Rondon, Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka
  • Patent number: 8241627
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where crysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Publication number: 20110305691
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where crysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: THE CENTER FOR BLOOD RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Publication number: 20110212112
    Abstract: The disclosure provides, inter alia, binding proteins (e.g., antibodies) that bind to an integrin in an activated conformation, e.g., activated LFA-1 (“aLFA-1”), e.g., relative to a non-activated conformation of LFA-1. In one embodiment, the binding proteins inhibit at least one function of an aLFA-1, e.g., inhibit a binding interaction between aLFA-1 and a cognate ligand of aLFA-1, e.g., an ICAM protein. The binding proteins can be used to treat or prevent an inflammatory disorder or other disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: CBR INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cohen, Isaac J. Rondon, Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka
  • Patent number: 7968284
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: The Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Publication number: 20110111528
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: THE CENTER FOR BLOOD RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Patent number: 7927591
    Abstract: The disclosure provides, inter alia, binding proteins (e.g., antibodies) that bind to an integrin in an activated conformation, e.g., activated LFA-1 (“aLFA-1”), e.g., relative to a non-activated conformation of LFA-1. In one embodiment, the binding proteins inhibit at least one function of an aLFA-1, e.g., inhibit a binding interaction between aLFA-1 and a cognate ligand of aLFA-1, e.g., an ICAM protein. The binding proteins can be used to treat or prevent an inflammatory disorder or other disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: The CBR Institute for Biomedical Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Cohen, Isaac J. Rondon, Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka
  • Patent number: 7879577
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Publication number: 20100167418
    Abstract: The methods and compositions described herein are based, in part, on the discovery that the introduction of a disulfide bond into an integrin polypeptide by the substitution of at least one cysteine residue in the polypeptide permits stabilization of the integrin in a “closed/inactive” state. This stabilizing disulfide bond permits integrins to be screened for a candidate molecule that can bind to the closed state. In particular, this approach can be used to screen for agents that bind to the closed state of an integrin polypeptide, and are useful as therapeutic treatments to prevent integrin activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: IMMUNE DISEASE INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Bing Hao Luo
  • Publication number: 20100113742
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. The invention also provides modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation. The invention further provides screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: The Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Patent number: 7674604
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. Modified integrin I-domain polypeptides stabilized in a desired conformation are also provided, as well as screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domain polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: The Center for Blood Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka, Chafen Lu
  • Publication number: 20090035321
    Abstract: The present invention relates to intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) which are involved in the process through which lymphocytes recognize and migrate to sites of inflammation as well as attach to cellular substrates during inflammation. The invention is directed toward such molecules, screening assays for identifying such molecules and antibodies capable of binding such molecules. The invention also includes uses for adhesion molecules and for the antibodies that are capable of binding them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Robert Rothlein, Steven D. Marlin, Michael L. Dustin
  • Patent number: 7354588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) which are involved in the process through which lymphocytes recognize and migrate to sites of inflammation as well as attach to cellular substrates during inflammation. The invention is directed toward such molecules, screening assays for identifying such molecules and antibodies capable of binding such molecules. The invention also includes uses for adhesion molecules and for the antibodies that are capable of binding them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
    Inventors: Timothy A. Springer, Robert Rothlein, Steven D. Marlin, Michael L. Dustin
  • Publication number: 20080069777
    Abstract: The disclosure provides, inter alia, binding proteins (e.g., antibodies) that bind to an integrin in an activated conformation, e.g., activated LFA-1 (“aLFA-1”), e.g., relative to a non-activated conformation of LFA-1. In one embodiment, the binding proteins inhibit at least one function of an aLFA-1, e.g., inhibit a binding interaction between aLFA-1 and a cognate ligand of aLFA-1, e.g., an ICAM protein. The binding proteins can be used to treat or prevent an inflammatory disorder or other disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Edward H. Cohen, Isaac J. Rondon, Timothy A. Springer, Motomu Shimaoka