Pepgen Corporation

University of Florida Research Foundation Inc

Lorelie H Villarete

Chih-Ping Liu

Jackeline Campos

Howard Marcellus Johnson

Carol H Pontzer

Wayne W Li

Stephen Kirnon

Prem S Subramaniam

Interferon-alpha (IFN&#x3b1;) analog proteins modified by chemical attachment of at least one hydrophilic polymer moiety, such as polyethylene glycol chain, are described for use in combination therapies with antiviral and/or antitumor agents. In one embodiment, the IFN&#x3b1; analog protein has an amino acid sequence that differs from a native human IFN&#x3b1; interferon-alpha by one or more amino acid residues in the N-terminal region, comprised of between about residues 1-27, inclusive, by one or more substitutions selected based on the amino acid residue at the corresponding position of a mature interferon-tau (IFN&#x3c4;) protein. Methods of combination therapy are also described.

Antitumor and antiviral combination therapies using low-toxicity, long-circulating human interferon-alpha analogs

Interferon-alpha (IFN&#x3b1;) analog proteins modified by chemical attachment of at least one hydrophilic polymer moiety, such as polyethylene glycol chain, are described. In one embodiment, the IFN&#x3b1; analog protein has an amino acid sequence that differs from a native human IFN&#x3b1; interferon-alpha by one or more amino acid residues in the N-terminal region, comprised of between about residues 1-27, inclusive, by one or more substitutions selected based on the amino acid residue at the corresponding position of a mature interferon-tau (IFN&#x3c4;) protein. Methods of treating viral diseases and other disorders with the polymer-modified IFN&#x3b1; analog protein are also described.

Low-toxicity, long-circulating human interferon-alpha PEGylated mutants

A method for treating an IL-10 deficiency in a human subject is described, where a person having an IL-10 deficiency is identified and treated with interferon-tau (IFN&#x3c4;) at a dose sufficient to increase the IL-10 level.

Method of treating IL-10 deficiency

The present invention relates to hybrid interferon fusion proteins formed of an interferon-&#x3b1; protein where the C-terminal region of the interferon-&#x3b1; protein is replaced by a C-terminal region of interferon-&#x3c4;. Also described are nucleic acid sequences encoding the interferon fusion proteins, expression vectors containing such sequences, and therapeutic applications of the interferon fusion proteins. The therapeutic applications include antiviral, anticellular proliferation, and anti-inflammatory applications. One advantage of the interferon fusion polypeptides of the present invention is that they have lower cytotoxic side effects when used to treat cells.

Hybrid interferon/interferon tau proteins, compositions and methods of use

Methods of treating an autoimmune condition, a viral infection, or a condition of cellular proliferation by administering IFN&#x3c4; are described. More specifically, a method of up-regulating the IL-10 level in patients afflicted with an autoimmune condition, a viral infection, or a condition of cellular proliferation by administering IFN&#x3c4; is described. IFN&#x3c4; is administered at a dose sufficient to achieve an up-regulation of IL-10 in the blood, relative to the IL-10 level in the absence of IFN&#x3c4;.

Method of treatment using interferon-tau

The invention describes a method of reducing the cytotoxicity of interferon-alpha by making defined amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal portion of the polypeptide sequence. Also described are human interferon-alpha analogs with low cytotoxicity, and therapeutic applications of the low toxicity interferon-alpha analogs.

Growing community of inventors

Alameda, CA, United States of America

Lorelie H Villarete