Biogen Idec Ma Inc.

Curis, Inc.

Paul Rayhorn

Kevin P Williams

Michele Sanicola-Nadel

Susan Gail Schiffer

R Blake Pepinsky

Ellen A Garber

Steven Donald Miklasz

Kevin Williams

Heather Adkins

Heather Adkins Huet

The invention provides Cripto blocking antibodies, or biologically functional fragments thereof, and uses thereof. Antibodies which bind Cripto and modulate Cripto signaling are provided. Antibodies which bind Cripto and block the interaction between Cripto and ALK4 are provided. Antibodies which bind Cripto and modulate tumor growth are also provided. Antibodies which bind Cripto, modulate signaling, and modulate tumor growth are also provided. Antibodies which bind Cripto, block the interaction between Cripto and ALK4 and modulate tumor growth are provided. The invention also provides methods of using these antibodies in therapeutic, diagnostic, and research applications.

Cripto blocking antibodies and uses thereof

Variants of hedgehog protein that contain N-terminal modifications are described that can block hedgehog function; thus allowing these variants to serve as functional antagonists. These peptides have a primary amino acid sequence lacking the ability to elicit a hedgehog-dependent response in C3H 10T1/2 cells but having the ability to bind to the hedgehog receptor, patched-1. Methods for producing such functional antagonists and methods of using the functional antagonists are also described.

Functional antagonists of hedgehog activity

The invention provides Cripto-specific antibodies, or biologically functional fragments thereof, and uses thereof. Antibodies which bind Cripto and inhibit Cripto activity are provided. Antibodies which bind Cripto and inhibit the interaction between Cripto and ALK4 and/or between Cripto and Activin B are provided. Antibodies which bind Cripto and inhibit tumor growth are also provided. Antibodies which bind Cripto, inhibit Cripto activity, and inhibit tumor growth are also provided. The invention also provides methods of using these antibodies in therapeutic, diagnostic, and research applications.

Cripto-specific antibodies

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Foxboro, MA, United States of America

Paul Rayhorn