Patents by Inventor Wei-Qin Zhao

Wei-Qin Zhao 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: 20160305961
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in a patient comprises determining whether the phosphorylation level of an indicator protein in cells of the patient after stimulus with an activator compound is abnormally elevated as compared to a basal phosphorylation level, the indicator protein being e.g. Erk1/2 and the activator compound being e.g. bradykinin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Wei-Qin Zhao, Daniel Alkon
  • Patent number: 9320793
    Abstract: This invention is a method and kit for treating a disease associated with, or resulting from, the accumulation of soluble oligomer amyloid beta 1-42 using an antibody, or antibody fragment thereof, that has a higher affinity for amyloid beta 1-42 oligomers than for amyloid beta 1-42 monomer, amyloid beta 1-40 monomer, plaques and amyloid beta fibrils and, optionally, a tau therapeutic or an inhibitor of amyloid beta production or aggregation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignees: Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: William F. Goure, Franz F. Hefti, Renee C. Gaspar, Paul J. Shughrue, Fubao Wang, Weirong Wang, Ningyan Zhang, Wei-Qin Zhao, Alexander McCampbell, Min Xu
  • Patent number: 9309309
    Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies that bind amyloid ?-derived diffusible ligands, also known as ADDLs. The antibodies of the invention are selective for ADDLs, can penetrate the brain, and are useful in methods of detecting ADDLs and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. The present antibodies also block binding of ADDLs to neurons, assembly of ADDLS, and tau phosphorylation and are there useful in methods for the preventing and treating diseases associated with ADDLs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Renee C. Gaspar, Paul J. Shughrue, Fubao Wang, Weirong Wang, Ningyan Zhang, Wei-Qin Zhao, Min Xu, Alexander McCampbell
  • Patent number: 9310383
    Abstract: This invention is a selective A? oligomer kit and immunoassay method capable of reliably and sensitively detecting A? oligomers in a biological sample of a patient. In one embodiment the inventive assay uses a pair of anti-A? oligomer antibodies, as capture and detection antibodies, to detect and quantify A? oligomers. The method can be used to differentiate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients from non-AD patients and/or to stratify AD patients according to the severity of their disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignees: Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: William F. Goure, Renee C. Gaspar, Alexander McCampbell, Mary J. Savage, Paul J. Shughrue, Fubao Wang, Weirong Wang, Abigail L. Wolfe, Ningyan Zhang, Wei-Qin Zhao, Min Xu
  • Patent number: 9188595
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in a patient comprises determining whether the phosphorylation level of an indicator protein in cells of the patient after stimulus with an activator compound is abnormally elevated as compared to a basal phosphorylation level, the indicator protein being e.g. Erk1/2 and the activator compound being e.g. bradykinin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Blanchett Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute
    Inventors: Wei-Qin Zhao, Daniel L. Alkon
  • Publication number: 20150320860
    Abstract: This invention is a method and kit for treating a disease associated with, or resulting from, the accumulation of soluble oligomer amyloid beta 1-42 using an antibody, or antibody fragment thereof, that has a higher affinity for amyloid beta 1-42 oligomers than for amyloid beta 1-42 monomer, amyloid beta 1-40 monomer, plaques and amyloid beta fibrils, wherein the antibody is in combination with a tau therapeutic or an inhibitor of amyloid beta production or aggregation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: William F. Goure, Franz F. Hefti, Renee C. Gaspar, Paul J. Shughrue, Fubao Wang, Weirong Wang, Ningyan Zhang, Wei-Qin Zhao
  • Patent number: 9176151
    Abstract: This invention is a selective A? oligomer kit and immunoassay method capable of reliably and sensitively detecting A? oligomers in a biological sample of a patient. In one embodiment the inventive assay uses a pair of anti-A? oligomer antibodies, as capture and detection antibodies, to detect and quantify A? oligomers. The method can be used to differentiate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients from non-AD patients and/or to stratify AD patients according to the severity of their disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Goure, Renee C. Gaspar, Alexander McCampbell, Mary J. Savage, Paul J. Shughrue, Fubao Wang, Weirong Wang, Abigail L. Wolfe, Nigyan Zhang, Wei-Qin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20150260731
    Abstract: This invention is a selective A? oligomer kit and immunoassay method capable of reliably and sensitively detecting A? oligomers in a biological sample of a patient. In one embodiment the inventive assay uses a pair of anti-A? oligomer antibodies, as capture and detection antibodies, to detect and quantify A? oligomers. The method can be used to differentiate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients from non-AD patients and/or to stratify AD patients according to the severity of their disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: William F. Goure, Renee C. Gaspar, Alexander McCampbell, Mary J. Savage, Paul J. Shughrue, Fubao Wang, Weirong Wang, Abigail L. Wolfe, Nigyan Zhang, Wei-Qin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20150023952
    Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies that bind amyloid ?-derived diffusible ligands, also known as ADDLs. The antibodies of the invention are selective for ADDLs, can penetrate the brain, and are useful in methods of detecting ADDLs and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. The present antibodies also block binding of ADDLs to neurons, assembly of ADDLS, and tau phosphorylation and are there useful in methods for the preventing and treating diseases associated with ADDLs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Renee C. Gaspar, Paul J. Shughrue, Fubao Wang, Weirong Wang, Ningyan Zhang, Wei-Qin Zhao, Min Xu, Alexander McCampbell
  • Publication number: 20140106380
    Abstract: The invention herein is directed to immunoassays for the detection of A?42 oligomers. The inventive assays are based on the observations herein that the presence of A?42 oligomers in a preparation is directly related to a decrease in a C-terminal (CT) immunosignal and a correlated increase in an N-terminal (NT) immunosignal, relative to the immunosignal generated in the absence of A?42 oligomers, in an A?42 CT and NT ELISA assay and an A?42 CT AlphaLISA assay. The invention herein involves the use of these assays alone or in combination to screen for inhibitors of A?42 oligomerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Crop.
    Inventors: Alexander McCampbell, William J. Ray, Dawn M. Toolan, Wei-Qin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20130273545
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and methods of screening for compounds for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease. The methods are based upon newly discovered differences in protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) function and related molecular events in Alzheimer's disease cells compared to control cells. In one embodiment, differences in basal PP2A gene expression in Alzheimer's cells are compared to controls. In another embodiment differences in PP2A protein and enzyme activity are compared in test and control cells. In another embodiment differences in response to substances that inhibit PP2A function are compared. Still another embodiment detects differences in the subcellular distribution of phosphorylated Erk1/2, a substrate of PP2A, in normal and Alzheimer's disease cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Wei-Qin Zhao, Daniel L. Alkon
  • Publication number: 20130115227
    Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that bind amyloid beta-derived diffusible ligands, also known as ADDLs. The antibodies are selective for ADDLs, can penetrate the brain, and are useful in methods of detecting ADDLs and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. The antibodies also block binding of ADDLs to neurons, assembly of ADDLS, and tau phosphorylation and are there useful in methods for the preventing and treating diseases associated with ADDLs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Renee C. Gaspar, Paul J. Shughrue, Fubao Wang, Weirong Wang, Ningyan Zhang, Wei-Qin Zhao, Min Xu, Alexander McCampbell
  • Patent number: 7964359
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for enhancing the cellular uptake and clearance of soluble oligomeric A? peptide assemblies from the environment surrounding both neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Oligomeric A? peptide assembly uptake and clearance is achieved via an agent that enhances insulin receptor signaling. Such ADDL uptake enhancers represent effective anti-ADDL therapeutics for use in the therapeutic treatment and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, and the like, in which compromised nerve cell function is linked to the formation and/or the activity of soluble oligomeric A? peptide assemblies, also known as ADDLs, and ADDL-related assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Northwestern University
    Inventors: Wei-Qin Zhao, Grant A. Krafft, William L. Klein
  • Publication number: 20100278803
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in a patient comprises determining whether the phosphorylation level of an indicator protein in cells of the patient after stimulus with an activator compound is abnormally elevated as compared to a basal phosphorylation level, the indicator protein being e.g. Erk1/2 and the activator compound being e.g. bradykinin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Wei-Qin Zhao, Daniel L. Alkon
  • Patent number: 7682807
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in a patient comprises determining whether the phosphorylation level of an indicator protein in cells of the patient after stimulus with an activator compound is abnormally elevated as compared to a basal phosphorylation level, the indicator protein being e.g. Erk1/2 and the activator compound being e.g. bradykinin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute
    Inventors: Wei-Qin Zhao, Daniel L. Alkon
  • Publication number: 20090029355
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and methods of screening for compounds for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease. The methods are based upon newly discovered differences in protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) function and related molecular events in Alzheimer's disease cells compared to control cells. In one embodiment, differences in basal PP2A gene expression in Alzheimer's cells are compared to controls. In another embodiment differences in PP2A protein and enzyme activity are compared in test and control cells. In another embodiment differences in response to substances that inhibit PP2A function are compared. Still another embodiment detects differences in the subcellular distribution of phosphorylated Erk1/2, a substrate of PP2A, in normal and Alzheimer's disease cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Wei-Qin Zhao, Daniel L. Alkon
  • Publication number: 20070264669
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for enhancing the cellular uptake and clearance of soluble oligomeric A? peptide assemblies from the environment surrounding both neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Oligomeric A? peptide assembly uptake and clearance is achieved via an agent that enhances insulin receptor signaling. Such ADDL uptake enhancers represent effective anti-ADDL therapeutics for use in the therapeutic treatment and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, and the like, in which compromised nerve cell function is linked to the formation and/or the activity of soluble oligomeric A? peptide assemblies, also known as ADDLs, and ADDL-related assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Wei-Qin Zhao, Grant Krafft, William Klein
  • Publication number: 20050059092
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in a patient comprises determining whether the phosphorylation level of an indicator protein in cells of the patient after stimulus with an activator compound is abnormally elevated as compared to a basal phosphorylation level, the indicator protein being e.g. Erk1/2 and the activator compound being e.g. bradykinin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: Blanchette Rockefeller Neursociences Institute
    Inventors: Wei-Qin Zhao, Daniel Alkon
  • Patent number: 6552053
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for modulating attentive cognition comprising administering a compound that alters intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity thereby affecting establishment of a theta rhythm. The metabolic pathway of the compound preferably involves bicarbonate-mediated GABAergic depolarization. The term “attentive cognition” is meant to encompass memory formation, learning, spatial memory, and attention. The modulating may be stimulating, or the compound may have the multiple effects of inhibiting intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity, establishment of a theta rhythm, and memory acquisition. The invention further provides a method of modulating memory and attention comprising switching theta rhythm on and off, the switching comprising potentiating or inhibiting intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Miao-Kun Sun, Daniel L. Alkon, Wei-Qin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20020107267
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for modulating attentive cognition comprising administering a compound that alters intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity thereby affecting establishment of a theta rhythm. The metabolic pathway of the compound preferably involves bicarbonate-mediated GABAergic depolarization. The term “attentive cognition” is meant to encompass memory formation, learning, spatial memory, and attention. The modulating may be stimulating, or the compound may have the multiple effects of inhibiting intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity, establishment of a theta rhythm, and memory acquisition. The invention further provides a method of modulating memory and attention comprising switching theta rhythm on and off, the switching comprising potentiating or inhibiting intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Miao-Kun Sun, Daniel L. Alkon, Wei-Qin Zhao