Vgx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

University of Pennsylvania

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Baylor College of Medicine

Building Materials Investment Corporation

Advisys, Inc.

Amir S Khan

Ruxandra Draghia-Akli

David B Weiner

Jian Yan

Krystle A Lang

Robert Hunt Carpenter

Patricia A Brown

Louis C Smith

Jeff Darnell

Krystle A Lang Kuhs

Krystle A Lang-Kuhs

Marta L Fiorroto

Krystle Lang

Michael De Souto

Melissa A Pope

Aspects of the present invention relate to electroporation devices and methods of using same to effectively facilitate the introduction of a biomolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body, in particular skin such as intradermic or subcutaneous tissue. In some aspects, the present invention is a skin EP device, which produces a pulse of energy and delivers same to the skin tissue using a skin electrode array and maintains a constant current in the same skin tissue based on user input, including a preset current, and allows the storage and acquisition of current waveform data.

Electroporation devices and methods of using same for electroporation of cells in mammals

Improved anti-HCV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed. Immunogens disclosed include those having consensus HCV genotype 1a/1b NS3 and NS4A. Pharmaceutical composition, recombinant vaccines comprising and live attenuated vaccines are disclosed as well methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against HCV are disclosed.

HCV vaccines and methods for using the same

Improved anti-HCV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed. Immunogens disclosed include those having consensus HCV genotype 1a, including for example, NS4B, NS5A and NS5B. Pharmaceutical composition, recombinant vaccines comprising and live attenuated vaccines are disclosed as well methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against HCV are disclosed.

Vaccines and methods for using the same

Compositions and kits comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes GHRH and a nucleotide sequence that encodes GnRH and compositions and kits comprising a GHRH protein and GnRH protein are disclosed. Use of such compositions and kits in methods of enhancing fertility in mammals comprising the step of administering said compositions to the mammal are disclosed.

Compositions comprising GHRH and GnRH and methods of using the same

There are provided methods of generating antibodies in a mammal against recombinant antigens using DNA plasmids capable of expressing said antigens in cells of said mammal, comprising: injecting into tissue of said mammal a DNA plasmid comprising an encoding sequence operably linked to a promoter, electroporating said tissue with an electroporation device capable of delivering an electrical pulse effective to electroporate cells of said tissue to allow entry of said DNA plasmid and expression of said antigen, and allowing said mammal to respond to said expressed antigen in order to generate antibodies to said antigen. Furthermore, there are provided methods of isolating antibodies specific against desired antigens wherein said antibodies are generated in a mammal using DNA plasmids capable of expressing said antigens.

Antibody production elicited by a DNA vaccine delivered by electroporation

Improved anti-HCV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed. Immunogens disclosed include those having consensus HCV genotype 1 a/1 b NS3 and NS4A. Pharmaceutical composition, recombinant vaccines comprising and live attenuated vaccines are disclosed as well methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against HCV are disclosed.

An electroporation device which may be used to effectively facilitate the introduction of a macromolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body or plant. The electroporation device comprises an electro-kinetic device ('EKD') whose operation is specified by software or firmware. The EKD produces a series of programmable constant-current pulse patterns between electrodes in an array based on user control and input of the pulse parameters and allows the storage and acquisition of current waveform data. The electroporation device also comprises a replaceable electrode disk having an array of needle electrodes, a central injection channel for an injection needle, and a removable guide disk.

Constant current electroporation device and methods of use

This invention is related to compositions and methods for decreasing cholesterol levels in a subject. The method utilizes a nucleic acid expression construct that encodes a growth-hormone-releasing-hormone ('GHRH') that is delivered into a tissue of the subject, wherein, GHRH is expressed in vivo in the subject.

Growth hormone releasing hormone treatment to decrease cholesterol levels

The intramuscular electroporated injection of a protease-resistant growth hormone-releasing hormone ('GHRH') cDNA into rat dams at 16 days of gestation resulted in the enhanced long-term growth of the F1 offspring. The offspring were significantly heavier by one week of age and the difference was sustained to 10 weeks of age. Consistent with their augmented growth, plasma IGF-I concentration of the F1 progeny was increased significantly. The pituitary gland of the offspring was significantly heavier, and contained an increased number of somatotropes (cells producing GH) and lactotrophs (prolactin-secreting cells), and is indicative of an alteration in cell lineages. These unique findings demonstrate that enhanced GHRH expression in pregnant dams can result in intergenerational growth promotion, by altering development of the pituitary gland in the offspring.

Growing community of inventors

The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

Amir S Khan