Steven R Little

US Patent:

7943179, May 17, 2011

Filed:

Dec 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/002542

Inventors:

Steven R. Little - Somerville MA, US
David M. Lynn - Middleton WI, US
Daniel G. Anderson - Framingham MA, US
Robert S. Langer - Newton MA, US

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

A61K 9/16

US Classification:

424490

Abstract:

A drug delivery system comprising pH triggerable particles is described. The pH triggerable particles comprise and agent(s) to be delivered, which is encapsulated in a matrix comprising a pH trigger agent and a polymer. Agents including nucleic acids may be delivered intracellularly using the inventive pH triggerable particles. Upon exposure to an acidic environment such as the endosome or phagosome of a cell, the particles dissolve or disrupt due to protonation or an increase in solubility of the pH triggering agent. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of preparing and administering these particles are also described. These particles may be particularly useful in genetic vaccination.

US Patent:

20050197873, Sep 8, 2005

Filed:

Feb 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/057733

Inventors:

Steven Little - Pittsburgh PA, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705007000

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for creating Guiding Principles and Leverage Points for aligning Stakeholder Interests of an Organizational Group diffuses individual Stakeholder interests and biases. The individual Stakeholder interests are eliminated, or at least minimized, through customized Stakeholder questions presented to representative Stakeholders in an ordered fashion. The ordered fashion positions questions relating to matters external to the Organizational Group before questions relating to matters internal to the Organizational Group. An Affinity Analysis on Stakeholder interview responses provides the analysis needed for creating Guiding Principles and Leverage Points for aligning Stakeholder Interests that are approved by the Stakeholder leaders and presented to the Stakeholders. The apparatus includes i) a graphical representation of a Stakeholder Network; ii) an ordered customized Stakeholder Interview Worksheet; iii) a computer database of individual Stakeholder responses the Stakeholder Interview Worksheet; and iv) at least one graphical Affinity Analysis diagram of separated responses from the computer database.

US Patent:

20090136553, May 28, 2009

Filed:

Sep 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/237835

Inventors:

Jorg C. Gerlach - Pittsburg PA, US
Jianjun Guan - Dublin OH, US
Steven R. Little - Allison Park PA, US
Alan J. Russell - Gibsonia PA, US
Jillian Tengood - Pittsburgh PA, US
William R. Wagner - Wexford PA, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/04
C07H 3/00
C08G 63/44
A61K 38/18
C12M 3/00
C08L 89/00
C12N 5/06

US Classification:

424422, 5361231, 536 69, 528363, 525 541, 435400, 514 12, 435325, 4352931

Abstract:

Provided are tubular structures of a biocompatible, triggerably-dissolvable material such as cellulose or a copolymer having an LCST below physiological temperatures. The structures may be embedded within a cell growth scaffold. The tubular structures are useful in growing 3-dimensional tissue structures because nutrients, cytokines or other cell growth and/or differentiation compounds, as well as drugs, such as antibiotics and steroids, can be administered over time, and the tubular structures can be dissolved non-invasively.

US Patent:

20110163469, Jul 7, 2011

Filed:

Dec 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

12/094098

Inventors:

Steven Little - Allison Park PA, US
Daniel G. Anderson - Sudbury MA, US
Robert S. Langer - Newton MA, US

Assignee:

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

B29B 9/00

US Classification:

264 9, 264 5, 425 10, 425 8

Abstract:

The high-throughput fabrication of microparticles based on the double emulsion/solvent evaporation technique for screening and optimizing microparticle formulations for particular characteristics allows for the preparation of multiple microparticle formulations in parallel. The system involves the formation of an emulsion containing aqueous bubbles with the payload in an organic phase containing the polymer or polymer blend being used for the microparticles. This first emulsion is then transferred to a larger aqueous phase, and a second waterin-oil-in water emulsion is formed. The organic solvent is then removed, and the resulting particles are optionally washed and/or freeze dried. The resulting microparticles are similar or better than microparticles prepared using the traditional one formulation at a time approach. The high-throughput fabrication of microparticles is particularly useful in optimizing microparticles formulations for drug delivery.

US Patent:

20120148676, Jun 14, 2012

Filed:

Jul 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

13/383122

Inventors:

Steven R. Little - Allison Park PA, US

International Classification:

A61K 39/395
A61K 9/14
A61K 38/20
A61P 35/00
A61K 9/00
A61P 37/02
A61P 31/00
A61K 38/02
A61K 38/18

US Classification:

424489, 514 11, 424 852, 514 89, 424400, 4241441, 4241721

Abstract:

The present invention contemplates induction of immunological tolerance thereby providing permanent allogcaft acceptance. This method obviates the need for a lifelong regimen of immunosuppressive agents which can increase the risk of infection, autoimmunity, and cancer. Immunological tolerance is thought to be mediated by regulatory T lymphocytes (Tcells) with immunosuppressive capabilities. A therapeutically relevant platform comprising artificial constructs are contemplated comprising numerous soluble and surface bound Tcell stimulating factors that may induce tolerance following allograft transplantation. Such artificial constructs, being the size of a cell, have surface bound monoclonal antibodies specific to regulatory T-cell surface moieties and encapsulated soluble regulatory T-cell modulating factors.

US Patent:

20120172456, Jul 5, 2012

Filed:

Sep 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

13/395245

Inventors:

Steven R. Little - Allison Park PA, US
Sam Rothstein - Pittsburg PA, US

International Classification:

A61K 47/34

US Classification:

5147723

Abstract:

A method for making a modified release composition, comprising:

US Patent:

20120214001, Aug 23, 2012

Filed:

Oct 7, 2010

Appl. No.:

13/500890

Inventors:

Steven R. Little - Allison Park PA, US
Kaladhar Kamalasanan - Pittsburgh PA, US

International Classification:

B32B 9/00
B05D 5/00
B32B 5/16
B05D 7/00

US Classification:

428403, 427212, 428402

Abstract:

A method for making microparticles having an exterior surface that includes preparing a self-assembled arrangement of microparticles; contacting the self-assembled microparticles with a patch-forming agent resulting in a microparticle/patch-forming agent assembly having proximal regions between adjacent microparticles and/or proximal regions between a microparticle and another substrate, wherein the patch-forming agent is present in the proximal region; and condensing the patch-forming agent such that a pattern of a plurality of discrete patches of patch-forming agent are formed on the exterior surfaces of the microparticles at the proximal regions. A synthetic microsphere having an exterior spherical surface, wherein the exterior spherical surface comprises a first material and a plurality of discrete, uniformly-dimensioned, patches of a second bioactive material arranged in an orderly array over more than one hemisphere of the microsphere.

US Patent:

20220211632, Jul 7, 2022

Filed:

Jan 21, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/580988

Inventors:

- Pittsburgh PA, US
Steven R. Little - Allison Park PA, US
Joel S. Schuman - Pittsburgh PA, US
Anthony Cugini - Pittsburgh PA, US

International Classification:

A61K 9/50
A61K 31/498
A61K 9/06
A61K 9/00
A61K 9/10
A61K 47/34

Abstract:

A method for sustained delivery of an agent to an ocular organ in a subject, comprising topically delivering to the ocular surface a liquid thermoresponsive hydrogel comprising agent-loaded polymer microparticles, wherein the agent is sustainably released for a period of at least five days.