Patents by Inventor Todd C. Zion

Todd C. Zion 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: 8940690
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cross-linked material comprising conjugates which include two or more separate affinity ligands bound to a non-polymeric framework, wherein the molecular weight of the non-polymeric framework is less than 10,000 Da; and multivalent cross-linking agents that non-covalently bind the affinity ligands of the conjugates and thereby cross-link the conjugates to form a cross-linked material, wherein the non-covalent bonds between the multivalent cross-linking agents and the affinity ligands are competitively dissociated in the presence of excess amounts of a target molecule. The present disclosure also provides methods of making and methods of using these materials. In other aspects, the present disclosure provides exemplary conjugates including conjugates for use in glucose responsive cross-linked materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: National Institutes of Health (NIH), The United States of America Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS), The United States of America as represented by NIH Division of Extramural Inventions and Technology Resources (DEITR)
    Inventors: Todd C. Zion, Thomas M. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 8933207
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for synthesizing compounds of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: I wherein each of X, Alk1, Alk2, and W are as defined and described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: SmartCells, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiyu Chen, Thomas M. Lancaster, Todd C. Zion
  • Patent number: 8906850
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides crystalline insulin-conjugates. The present disclosure also provides formulations, methods of treatment, methods of administering, and methods of making that encompass these crystalline insulin-conjugates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Smartcells, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd C. Zion, Thomas M. Lancaster
  • Publication number: 20140342980
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure provides cross-linked materials that include multivalent lectins with at least two binding sites for glucose, wherein the lectins include at least one covalently linked affinity ligand which is capable of competing with glucose for binding with at least one of said binding sites; and conjugates that include two or more separate affinity ligands bound to a conjugate framework, wherein the two or more affinity ligands compete with glucose for binding with the lectins at said binding sites and wherein conjugates are cross-linked within the material as a result of non-covalent interactions between lectins and affinity ligands on different conjugates. These materials are designed to release amounts of conjugate in response to desired concentrations of glucose. Depending on the end application, in various embodiments, the conjugates may also include a drug and/or a detectable label.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Todd C. Zion, Thomas M. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 8846103
    Abstract: The disclosure provides cross-linked materials that include multivalent cross-linking agents that bind an exogenous target molecule; and conjugates that include two or more separate affinity ligands bound to a conjugate framework, wherein the two or more affinity ligands compete with the exogenous target molecule for binding with the cross-linking agents and wherein conjugates are cross-linked within the material as a result of non-covalent interactions between cross-linking agents and affinity ligands on different conjugates. The conjugates also include a drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: SmartCells, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd C. Zion, Thomas M. Lancaster
  • Publication number: 20140275476
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides crystalline insulin-conjugates. The present disclosure also provides formulations, methods of treatment, methods of administering, and methods of making that encompass these crystalline insulin-conjugates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SmartCells, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Lancaster, Todd C. Zion
  • Publication number: 20140274888
    Abstract: Conjugates which comprise a drug and a ligand which includes a first saccharide; wherein the conjugate is characterized in that, when the conjugate is administered to a mammal, at least one pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic property of the conjugate is sensitive to serum concentration of a second saccharide. Exemplary conjugates and sustained release formulations are provided in addition to methods of use and preparation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SmartCells, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd C. Zion, Thomas M. Lancaster
  • Publication number: 20140256622
    Abstract: The disclosure provides cross-linked materials that include multivalent cross-linking agents that bind an exogenous target molecule; and conjugates that include two or more separate affinity ligands bound to a conjugate framework, wherein the two or more affinity ligands compete with the exogenous target molecule for binding with the cross-linking agents and wherein conjugates are cross-linked within the material as a result of non-covalent interactions between cross-linking agents and affinity ligands on different conjugates. The conjugates also include a drug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SmartCells, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd C. Zion, Thomas M. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 8729242
    Abstract: Methods for reducing the T-cell mitogenicity of lectin compositions are provided. In one aspect this is achieved by chemically modifying mitogenic lectin compositions under optimized conditions. Additionally or alternatively, the reduction in T-cell mitogenicity is achieved by removing unmodified subunits chemically modified mixtures. Modified lectin compositions with reduced T-cell mitogenicity are also provided as are uses of the inventive compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Smartcells, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Lancaster, Wenyi Cai, Ryan Faucette, Matthew Pecukonis, Todd C. Zion
  • Publication number: 20140121159
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides inter alia conjugates of formula (I): wherein n, R1, R2, Rx, Z, X, Y and Z are as defined herein. A conjugate of formula (I) can also be converted to a conjugate of formulae (II) or (III) as described herein. Without limitation, the conjugates can be used to make controlled release materials and chemical sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: SmartCells, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd C. Zion, Thomas M. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 8697643
    Abstract: A conjugate that includes a drug covalently linked to a polymer. Upon administration, the conjugate is digested by an enzyme that is present at the site of administration thereby releasing a therapeutic agent. The conjugate may demonstrate substantially the same pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior as the drug itself. A material for controllably releasing a conjugate in response to the local concentration of a molecular indicator. The material includes a plurality of conjugates and a plurality of multivalent cross-linking agents. The polymers of the conjugates include an analog of the indicator within their covalent structure. The multivalent cross-linking agents include cross-link receptors that interact with the indicator analog and thereby cross-link the conjugates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: SmartCells, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Lancaster, Matthew Nalewanski, Todd C. Zion
  • Publication number: 20140037699
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure provides a conjugate comprising an insulin molecule having an A-chain and a B-chain; an affinity ligand covalently bound to the A-chain; and a monovalent glucose binding agent covalently bound to the B-chain, wherein the affinity ligand competes with glucose for non-covalent binding with the monovalent glucose binding agent. In the absence of glucose, the monovalent glucose binding agent binds the affinity ligand to produce a “closed” inactive form of the insulin molecule. When free glucose is added, it competes with the affinity ligand for binding with the monovalent glucose binding agent to produce an “open” active form of the insulin molecule. The monovalent glucose binding agent and affinity ligand are covalently bound to the insulin molecule. The disclosure also provides methods of using these conjugates and methods of making these conjugates. In another aspect, the disclosure provides exemplary conjugates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SmartCells, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd C. Zion, Thomas M. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 8623345
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides inter alia conjugates of formula (I): wherein n, R1, R2, Rx, Z, X, Y and Z are as defined herein. A conjugate of formula (I) can also be converted to a conjugate of formulae (II) or (III) as described herein. Without limitation, the conjugates can be used to make controlled release materials and chemical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Smartcells
    Inventors: Todd C. Zion, Thomas M. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 8603529
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure provides cross-linked materials that include multivalent polynucleotide aptamers that bind a target molecule; and conjugates that include two or more separate affinity ligands bound to a conjugate framework, wherein the two or more affinity ligands compete with the target molecule for binding with the aptamers and wherein conjugates are cross-linked within the material as a result of non-covalent interactions between aptamers and affinity ligands on different conjugates. These materials are designed to release amounts of conjugate in response to desired concentrations of the target molecule. Depending on the end application, in various embodiments, the conjugates may also include a drug and/or a detectable label. The drug, detectable label and affinity ligands may be covalently or non-covalently bound to the conjugate framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Smartcells, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd C. Zion, Thomas M. Lancaster
  • Publication number: 20130324702
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure provides cross-linked materials that include multivalent lectins with at least two binding sites for glucose, wherein the lectins include at least one affinity ligand which is capable of competing with glucose for binding with at least one of said binding sites and is covalently linked to a cysteine residue of the lectins; and conjugates that include two or more separate affinity ligands bound to a conjugate framework, wherein the two or more affinity ligands compete with glucose for binding with the lectins at said binding sites and wherein conjugates are cross-linked within the material as a result of non-covalent interactions between lectins and affinity ligands on different conjugates. These materials are designed to release amounts of conjugate in response to desired concentrations of glucose. Depending on the end application, in various embodiments, the conjugates may also include a drug and/or a detectable label.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas M. Lancaster, Robert Butters, Naomi Choodnovskiy, Todd C. Zion
  • Publication number: 20130302825
    Abstract: Methods and associated compositions of matter (e.g., kits, cell lines, etc.) for screening compounds that bind to macrophase mannose receptor (MMR). Compounds identified by these methods and drug conjugates that includes these compounds are also encompassed as are their uses in the manufacture of medicaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Merck
    Inventors: Sylaja Murikipudi, Thomas M. Lancaster, Todd C. Zion
  • Patent number: 8569231
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure provides a conjugate comprising an insulin molecule having an A-chain and a B-chain; an affinity ligand covalently bound to the A-chain; and a monovalent glucose binding agent covalently bound to the B-chain, wherein the affinity ligand competes with glucose for non-covalent binding with the monovalent glucose binding agent. In the absence of glucose, the monovalent glucose binding agent binds the affinity ligand to produce a “closed” inactive form of the insulin molecule. When free glucose is added, it competes with the affinity ligand for binding with the monovalent glucose binding agent to produce an “open” active form of the insulin molecule. The monovalent glucose binding agent and affinity ligand are covalently bound to the insulin molecule. The disclosure also provides methods of using these conjugates and methods of making these conjugates. In another aspect, the disclosure provides exemplary conjugates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Smartcells, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd C. Zion, Thomas M. Lancaster
  • Publication number: 20130190476
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides recombinantly expressed insulin polypeptides that comprise an N-linked glycan motif. The N-linked glycan motif is not present in wild-type insulins and enables the recombinant expression of glycosylated insulin polypeptides (e.g., in yeast cells). Based on results obtained with synthetic glycosylated insulin conjugates we predict that when these recombinant glycosylated insulin polypeptides are administered to a mammal, at least one pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic property of the glycosylated insulin polypeptide will be sensitive to serum concentrations of glucose (or an exogenous saccharide such as alpha-methyl mannose). Exemplary insulin polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding these insulin polypeptides, glycosylated insulin polypeptides, pharmaceutical formulations and sustained release formulations are provided in addition to methods of use and preparation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas M. Lancaster, Sylaja Murikipudi, Rassol Laleau, Todd C. Zion
  • Publication number: 20130190475
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for synthesizing compounds of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: I wherein each of X, Alk1, Alk2, and W are as defined and described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: SMARTCELLS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhiyu Chen, Thomas M. Lancaster, Todd C. Zion
  • Publication number: 20130131310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for synthesizing compounds of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: (I) wherein each of X, Alk, and W are as defined and described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: John Kane, Thomas M. Lancaster, Todd C. Zion