David Eric Weiner

US Patent:

6348449, Feb 19, 2002

Filed:

Dec 16, 1994

Appl. No.:

08/357398

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion PA
Bin Wang - Havertown PA
Kenneth E. Ugen - Philadelphia PA

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

A01N 4304

US Classification:

514 44, 4242091, 4241301, 4241841, 424325, 4352351, 4353201, 4352523, 4351723, 4352401, 4352402, 514 2, 514330

Abstract:

Methods of inducing mucosal immunity in individuals against proteins and peptides are disclosed. The methods comprise the step of administering topically or by lavage into mucosal tissue selected from the group consisting of rectal, vaginal, urethral, sublingual and buccal, a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein or peptide that comprises an epitope against which mucosal immunity is desired. The methods may be used to immunize an individual against a pathogen infection, hyperproliferative diseases or autoimmune diseases using nucleic acid molecules which encode proteins and peptides that share an epitope with a pathogen antigen or protein associated with cells involved in hyperproliferative diseases or autoimmune diseases, respectively.

US Patent:

6372884, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Nov 21, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/752816

Inventors:

Mark I. Greene - Penn Valley PA
William V. Williams - Havertown PA
David B. Weiner - Merion PA
Jeffrey A. Cohen - Solon OH
Thomas Kieber-Emmons - Newtown Square PA
Robert M. Williams - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C07K 700

US Classification:

530333, 530300, 530350, 5303872, 53038827, 5303883, 53038835, 4241851, 4241841, 4241931, 4242151, 435 71, 514 2, 514 12, 514 13, 514 14

Abstract:

A method of constructing biologically active compounds which mimic the biological activity of the biologically active protein block the activity of the biologically active protein is disclosed. A method of identifying specific and discrete portions of pathogen antigens which either serve as epitopes for neutralizing antibodies or which are involved in pathogen binding to host cell receptors is disclosed. A method of constructing biologically active compounds which compete with cellular receptors for binding to either biologically active proteins or pathogen antigens is disclosed.

US Patent:

6448078, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Oct 17, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/529245

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion Station PA
Velpandi Ayyavoo - Monroeville PA
Mamata Patel - Philadelphia PA

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C12N 506

US Classification:

4353391, 435 6, 435 691, 4351723, 514 44, 436 64, 4241741, 4242081, 53038835, 5303871, 536 235

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to substantially pure Human Vpr Interacting Protein (hVIP), and fragments thereof. Also disclosed are isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode hVIP, or a fragment thereof; nucleic acid probes and primers directed to nucleic acid molecules that encode hVIP, or a fragment thereof; oligonucleotide molecules that consist of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a portion of the nucleotide sequence that encodes hVIP; vectors comprising nucleic acid molecules encoding hVIP; recombinant expression vectors that comprise nucleic acid sequences that encode hVIP; host cells that comprise recombinant expression vectors which include nucleic acid sequences that encode hVIP; genetic therapy vectors comprising nucleic acid molecules encoding hVIP; isolated antibody which binds to an epitope on hVIP; pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and nucleic acid molecules complementary to a portion of hVIP; methods of making hVIP; and methods of inhibiting expression of hVIP oligonucleotides complementary to a portion of the nucleotide sequence that encodes hVIP.

US Patent:

6468982, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Jun 23, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/880576

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion PA
William V. Williams - Havertown PA
Bin Wang - Havertown PA

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA
The Wistar Institute - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

A61K 4800

US Classification:

514 44, 4353201, 536 231, 514615, 514818

Abstract:

Methods of prophylactic and therapeutic immunization of an individual against pathogen infection, diseases associated with hyperproliferative cells and autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The methods comprise the steps of administering to cells of an individual, a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein which comprises at least one epitope that is identical or substantially similar to an epitope of a pathogen antigen, a hyperproliferative cell associated protein or a protein associated with autoimmune disease respectively. In each case, nucleotide sequence is operably linked to regulatory sequences to enable expression in the cells. The nucleic acid molecule is free of viral particles and capable of being, expressed in said cells. The cells may be contacted cells with a cell stimulating agent. Methods of prophylactically and therapeutically immunizing an individual against HIV are disclosed.

US Patent:

6667157, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Jun 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/809186

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion PA
David N. Levy - Birmingham AL
Yosef Refaeli - Boston MA
William V. Williams - Havertown PA
Velpandi Ayyavoo - Havertown PA

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

G01N 33567

US Classification:

435 724

Abstract:

Method of inhibiting proliferation of cells using vpr protein or nucleotide sequences that encode vpr are disclosed. Method of preventing lymphocyte activation using vpr protein or nucleotide sequences that encode vpr are disclosed. Methods of treating an individual diagnosed with or suspected of suffering from autoimmune disease, diseases characterized by proliferating cells and graft versus host disease by administering vpr protein or a functional fragment thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes vpr protein or a functional fragment thereof are disclosed. Conjugated compositions for delivery of active agents to the nucleus of cells are disclosed.

US Patent:

6733994, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Oct 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/971806

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion Station PA
Joo-Sung Yang - Philadelphia PA

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C12P 2102

US Classification:

435 691, 536 231

Abstract:

The present invention provides methods of producing protein in a recombinant expression system that comprises translation of mRNA transcribed from a heterologous DNA sequence in the expression system, said method comprising the steps of predicting the secondary structure of mRNA transcribed from a native heterologous DNA sequence; modifying the native heterologous DNA sequence to produce a modified heterologous DNA sequence wherein mRNA transcribed from the modified heterologous DNA sequence has a secondary structure having increased free energy compared to that of the secondary structure of the mRNA transcribed from the native heterologous DNA sequence; and using the modified heterologous DNA sequence in the recombinant expression system for protein production. The invention also provides injectable pharmaceutical compositions comprising a nucleic acid molecule that includes a modified coding sequence. The invention also provides recombinant viral vectors comprising a nucleic acid molecule that includes a modified coding sequence.

US Patent:

6838236, Jan 4, 2005

Filed:

Dec 15, 1993

Appl. No.:

08/167608

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion PA, US
David Nathan Levy - Philadelphia PA, US
Yosef Refaeli - Philadelphia PA, US

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA
The Wistar Institute - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C12Q 170

US Classification:

435 5, 435 71, 435 792, 435 691, 435 693, 4241881, 4242081

Abstract:

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HIV protein vpr or nucleic acid molecule encoding vpr are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating patients suffering from diseases characterized by hyperproliferating undifferentiated cells such as cancer by administering such compositions. Methods of identifying compounds which have anti-HIV activity are disclosed, in particular, methods of identifying compounds which modulate the activity of vpr and of identifying compounds which inhibit vpr binding to the HIV protein gag.

US Patent:

6881558, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

Jun 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/888860

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion Station PA, US
Donghui Zhang - Philadelphia PA, US
Adam Cohen - Philadelphia PA, US

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C12P021/06
C12P021/04
C12N001/12
C12N015/00
C07H021/04

US Classification:

435 911, 4352521, 4352523, 4353201, 435325, 435348, 435455, 435 691, 536 231, 536 241, 536 242

Abstract:

Methods of cloning and/or amplifying toxic genes in bacteria using a vector which amplifies the toxic gene in bacteria and also allows subsequent expression in mammalian systems is provided. A vector having an origin of replication, a first promoter, a polylinker, a second promoter in reverse orientation with respect to the first promoter, a poly adenylation signal, and a gene encoding a selectable marker, and optionally an enhancer operably connected to the first promoter, and/or a nucleotide sequence encoding a toxic protein is also provided.