Novartis Ag

Ciba-geigy Corporation

Novartis Finance Corporation

Thomas Schupp

James Madison Ligon

Istvan Molnar

Ross Zirkle

Devon Dawn Cyr

J&ouml;rn G&ouml;rlach

John A Ryals

James Joseph Beck

Dwight Steven Hill

James M Ligon

Philip E Hammer

Scott Joseph Uknes

Peter Traxler

Michael Mutz

Stephen T Lam

Hans Hofmann

Jakob Nuesch

Frank Petersen

Snezana Neff

Klaus Memmert

Marion Mahnke

Thomas D Gaffney

Ernst K&uuml;sters

Nathalie Engel

Christiane Toupet

Jörn Görlach

Andreas Pospiech

J&uuml;rg Bietenhader

Samir Jaoua

The invention relates to a new process for concentrating epothilones in culture media, a new process for the production of epothilones, a new process for separating epothilones A and B and a new strain obtained by mutagenesis for the production of epothilones, as well as aspects related thereto. New crystal forms of epothilone B are also described.

Fermentative preparation process for and crystal forms of cytostatics

The present invention primarily relates to a DNA fragment which is obtainable from the gene cluster responsible for rifamycin biosynthesis within the genome ofand comprises at least one gene or a part of a gene which codes for a polypeptide which is directly or indirectly involved in the biosynthesis of rifamycin, and to a method for preparing said DNA fragment. The present invention furthermore relates to recombinant DNA molecules which comprise one of the DNA fragments according to the invention, and to the plasmids and vectors derived therefrom. Host organisms transformed with said plasmid or vector DNA are likewise embraced.

Rifamycin biosynthesis gene cluster

Nucleic acid molecules are isolated fromthat encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Genes for the biosynthesis of epothilones

Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Staurosporin biosynthesis gene clusters

Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

The present invention is directed to the production of a polyketide antibiotic such as soraphen in a host via recombinant expression of the polypeptides needed to biologically synthesize the polyketide antibiotic. Polyketide synthase (PKS) genes encoding polypeptides necessary to synthesize soraphen are provided, along with methods for identifying and isolating the PKS genes needed to recombinantly biosynthesize any desired polyketide antibiotic. The cloned PKS genes may be transformed and expressed in a desired host organisms to produce soraphen for a variety of purposes, including protecting the host from a pathogen, developing the host as a biocontrol agent, and producing large, uniform amounts of soraphen.

Genes for the biosynthesis of soraphen

The present invention is directed to the production of an antipathogenic substance (APS) in a host via recombinant expression of the polypeptides needed to biologically synthesize the APS. Genes encoding polypeptides necessary to produce particular antipathogenic substances are provided, along with methods for identifying and isolating genes needed to recombinantly biosynthesize any desired APS. The cloned genes may be transformed and expressed in a desired host organisms to produce the APS according to the invention for a variety of purposes, including protecting the host from a pathogen, developing the host as a biocontrol agent, and producing large, uniform amounts of the APS.

Method of protecting plants by transformation with genes for the

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Mohlin, Switzerland

Thomas Schupp