Jeffrey C Way

US Patent:

7211253, May 1, 2007

Filed:

Nov 9, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/708506

Inventors:

Jeffrey Way - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

Merck Patentgesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung - Darmstadt

International Classification:

A61K 39/00
A61K 39/395
A61K 38/00
C07K 14/505

US Classification:

4241341, 530397, 514 2

Abstract:

The invention relates to novel modified erythropoietin (EPO) forms such as fusion proteins comprising a Fc portion of an Ig molecule and a target molecule having the biological activity of EPO. By selective altering of the amino acid sequences of the erythropoietin moiety as well as of the immunoglobulin moiety and the glycosylation pattern of erythropoietin fusion proteins with enhanced biological activity can be obtained. The invention relates also to novel nun-fused EPO molecules which have a pattern of cysteines or disulfide bonding which is distinct from human or animal EPO.

US Patent:

7589179, Sep 15, 2009

Filed:

Dec 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/297166

Inventors:

Stephen D. Gillies - Carlisle MA, US
Jeffrey Way - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

Merck Patent GmbH - Darmstadt

International Classification:

C07K 16/00
C12P 21/08
C07K 17/00
A61K 39/00

US Classification:

5303871, 5303873, 530351, 4241341, 4241781, 4241921

Abstract:

Modified interleukin-7 (IL-7) polypeptides are disclosed. The modified IL-7 polypeptides have alterations to one or more potential T-cell epitopes, thereby to reduce a T-cell response.

US Patent:

7601814, Oct 13, 2009

Filed:

Sep 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/233683

Inventors:

Stephen D. Gillies - Carlisle MA, US
Jeffrey Way - Cambridge MA, US
Anita A. Hamilton - Aberdeen, GB

Assignee:

Merck Patent GmbH - Darmstadt

International Classification:

C12P 21/08

US Classification:

5303873, 4241341, 4241781, 4241851, 4241921, 530350, 5303881

Abstract:

Disclosed are compositions and methods for producing fusion proteins with reduced immunogenicity. Fusion proteins of the invention include a junction region having an amino acid change that reduces the ability of a junctional epitope to bind to MHC Class II, thereby reducing its interaction with a T-cell receptor. Methods of the invention involve analyzing, changing, or modifying one or more amino acids in the junction region of a fusion protein in order to identify a T-cell epitope and reduce its ability to interact with a T cell receptor. Compositions and methods of the invention are useful in therapy.

US Patent:

7615217, Nov 10, 2009

Filed:

Mar 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/716878

Inventors:

Stephen Gillies - Carlisle MA, US
Francis J. Carr - Balmedie, GB
Jones Tim - Babraham, GB
Graham Carter - By Newmachar, GB
Anita Hamilton - Aberdeen, GB
Stephen Williams - Insch, GB
Marian Hanlon - Cambridge, GB
John Watkins - Girton, GB
Matthew Baker - Ely, GB
Jeffrey C. Way - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

Merck Patent GmbH - Darmstadt

International Classification:

A61K 39/395

US Classification:

4241341, 4241331, 424 851, 424 852, 5303873

Abstract:

The invention relates to artificial modified proteins, preferably fusion proteins, having a reduced immunogenicity compared to the parent non-modified molecule when exposed to a species in vivo. The invention relates, above all, to novel immunoglobulin fusion proteins which essentially consist of an immunoglobulin molecule or a fragment thereof covalently fused via its C-terminus to the N-terminus of a biologically active non-immunoglobulin molecule, preferably a polypeptide or protein or a biologically active fragment thereof. In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to fusion proteins consisting of an Fc portion of an antibody which is fused as mentioned to the non-immunological target molecule which elicits biological or pharmacological efficacy. The molecules of the invention have amino acid sequences which are altered in one or more amino acid residue positions but have in principal the same biological activity as compared with the non-altered molecules. The changes are made in regions of the molecules which are identified as T-cell epitopes, which contribute to an immune reaction in a living host.

US Patent:

7820155, Oct 26, 2010

Filed:

Dec 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/647992

Inventors:

Jeffrey Way - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

Merck Patent GmbH - Darmstadt

International Classification:

A61K 16/24

US Classification:

424 852, 4241411, 4241451

Abstract:

The present invention provides an isolated IL-6 antagonist including an antibody variable region that prevents IL-6 from binding to gp130. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for treating IL-6 related diseases based on the IL-6 antagonists of the invention.

US Patent:

7973150, Jul 5, 2011

Filed:

Sep 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/552076

Inventors:

Stephen D. Gillies - Carlisle MA, US
Jeffrey Way - Cambridge MA, US
Anita A. Hamilton - Aberdeen, GB

Assignee:

Merck Patent GmbH - Darmstadt

International Classification:

C07H 21/04

US Classification:

536 234, 536 2353, 5303873, 5303905

Abstract:

Disclosed are compositions and methods for producing fusion proteins with reduced immunogenicity. Fusion proteins of the invention include a junction region having an amino acid change that reduces the ability of a junctional epitope to bind to MHC Class II, thereby reducing its interaction with a T-cell receptor. Methods of the invention involve analyzing, changing, or modifying one or more amino acids in the junction region of a fusion protein in order to identify a T-cell epitope and reduce its ability to interact with a T cell receptor. Compositions and methods of the invention are useful in therapy.

US Patent:

8066994, Nov 29, 2011

Filed:

Jul 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/489653

Inventors:

Stephen D. Gillies - Carlisle MA, US
Jeffrey Way - Cambridge MA, US
Kin-Ming Lo - Lexington MA, US

Assignee:

Merck Patent GmbH - Darmstadt

International Classification:

C07K 16/46
C07H 21/04
C12N 5/07
C12P 21/04

US Classification:

4241331, 435 697, 5303911

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods and compositions for efficiently expressing antibody fusion proteins. Antibody fusion proteins of the invention include a hybrid antibody moiety containing sequences from more than one type of antibody and/or mutant antibody sequences. Hybrid antibody fusion proteins of the invention may be produced at high levels and may combine functional properties characteristic of different antibody types in addition to functional properties of a non-antibody moiety.

US Patent:

8536308, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

Jul 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/834546

Inventors:

Jeffrey Way - Cambridge MA, US
Yuan Liu - Billerica MA, US

Assignee:

Merck Patent GmbH - Darmstadt

International Classification:

C07K 16/24
C07K 16/28

US Classification:

5303871, 5303881, 53038822, 53038823

Abstract:

The present invention provides an isolated IL-6 antagonist including an antibody variable region that prevents IL-6 from binding to gp130. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for treating IL-6 related diseases based on the IL-6 antagonists of the invention.