Robert Heller Levy

US Patent:

6391538, May 21, 2002

Filed:

Feb 9, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/501331

Inventors:

Narendra Vyavahare - Erial NJ
Ivan Alferiev - Clementon NJ
Robert J. Levy - Merion Station PA

Assignee:

The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

A01N 100

US Classification:

435 11, 600 36

Abstract:

The invention relates to implantable bioprostheses (e. g. implantable biological tissues) and to compositions and methods for stabilizing them. Implantable bioprostheses stabilized as described herein exhibit improved mechanical properties and reduced post-implantation calcification. The implantable bioprosthesis is made by contacting a bioprosthesis (e. g. a tissue obtained from an animal or an article comprising a tissue and a synthetic material) with a polyepoxy amine compound.

US Patent:

6395029, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Jan 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/234011

Inventors:

Robert J. Levy - Merion Station PA

Assignee:

The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

A61F 200

US Classification:

623 1111, 623 2359, 623 142, 427 224, 427 231, 424450, 424484, 424490

Abstract:

The invention relates to compositions and methods for delivering a polyionic bioactive composition such as a nucleic acid to a tissue of an animal. The compositions of the invention include compositions which comprise a matrix comprising the polyionic bioactive agent and wherein at least most of the polyionic bioactive agent at the exterior portion of the matrix is present in a condensed form. The invention also includes methods of making such compositions, including particles, devices, bulk materials, and other objects which comprise, consist of, or are coated with such compositions. Methods of delivering a polyionic bioactive agent to an animal tissue are also described. The invention further includes a method of storing a nucleic acid.

US Patent:

6395253, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Apr 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/065892

Inventors:

Robert J. Levy - Merion PA
Vinod Labhasetwar - Omaha NE
Hagit Cohen - Jerusalem, IL

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

A61K 5100

US Classification:

424 125, 424497, 424 9322, 536 235

Abstract:

The invention describes improved methods for incorporating nucleic acids into polymeric microspheres and/or nanospheres through the use of a condensing agent.

US Patent:

6689861, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Nov 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/985316

Inventors:

Robert J. Levy - Merion Station PA
Ivan Alferiev - Clementon NJ

Assignee:

The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphi - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C08G 1883

US Classification:

528 72, 521 53, 525452, 525453, 525454

Abstract:

The invention relates to methods of making polyurethane derivatives which can be readily further derivatized using stabilizing agents such as anti-calcification agents, anti-thrombogenesis agents, and chemical and mechanical degradation-inhibiting agents. The invention also includes methods of making polyurethane derivatives so further derivatized and to polyurethanes derivatives made using such methods.

US Patent:

6814980, Nov 9, 2004

Filed:

Apr 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/116093

Inventors:

Robert J. Levy - Merion PA
Vinod Labhasetwar - Omaha NE
Hagit Cohen - Jerusalem, IL

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

A61K 950

US Classification:

424497, 424 9322, 536 231

Abstract:

The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising microspheres and/or nanospheres containing condensed polyanionic bioactive agents, such as DNA. The polyanionic bioactive agent in the microspheres and/or nanospheres is preferably condensed using a polycationic condensing agent, such as poly-L-lysine. The present invention further relates to methods for producing the microspheres and/or nanospheres containing condensed polyanionic bioactive agents.

US Patent:

6824970, Nov 30, 2004

Filed:

May 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/145038

Inventors:

Narendra Vyavahare - Erial NJ
Ivan Alferiev - Clementon NJ
Robert J. Levy - Merion Station PA

Assignee:

The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

A01N 100

US Classification:

435 11

Abstract:

The invention relates to implantable bioprostheses (e. g. implantable biological tissues) and to compositions and methods for stabilizing them. Implantable bioprostheses stabilized as described herein exhibit improved mechanical properties and reduced post-implantation calcification. The implantable bioprosthesis is made by contacting a bioprosthesis (e. g. a tissue obtained from an animal or an article comprising a tissue and a synthetic material) with a polyepoxy amine compound.

US Patent:

6852704, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

Jan 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/487851

Inventors:

Robert J. Levy - Merion Station PA, US
Scott Baldwin - West Chester PA, US

Assignee:

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

A61K048/00
C12P021/06
C12N015/74
A01N063/00
C07H021/04

US Classification:

514 44, 435 691, 4353201, 435325, 435455, 424 932, 424 936, 536 235

Abstract:

The invention relates to compositions and methods for reverse gene therapy, wherein a gene therapy vector encoding a gene product (e. g. a protein) which is usually only expressed in cells of an abnormal tissue is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with a disease or disorder to alleviate the disease or disorder. In one embodiment, a plasmid vector encoding HERG (A561V) protein is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with re-entrant atrial flutter-mediated cardiac arrhythmia.

US Patent:

6861211, Mar 1, 2005

Filed:

Aug 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/933680

Inventors:

Robert J. Levy - Merion Station PA, US
Narendra Vyavahare - Erial NJ, US

Assignee:

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

A01N001/00
A61F002/06
A61F002/08
A61F002/10
A61F002/24

US Classification:

435 11, 623 11, 623 213, 623 1311, 623 1512

Abstract:

The invention relates to methods of stabilizing glycosaminoglycans in a biological tissue (e. g. a bioprosthetic implant) in conjunction with cross-linking of protein in the tissue. The methods of the invention improve the mechanical integrity of the device and improves its stability in vivo. The invention also includes biological tissues having stabilized glycosaminoglycans and cross-linked proteins and kits for preparing such tissues.