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Intellectual Property

Our patented technology for carbohydrate attachment is wholly owned by Design-Zyme LLC.  We are actively pursuing intellectual property protection of our discoveries and products.  The company has already submitted multiple patent applications to the USPTO and PCT and maintains in-house patent counsel to oversee maintenance and prosecution of its patent estate. 

Issued Patents

In Vitro Glycosylation of Proteins and Enzymes - The present invention comprises a glycosylated protein wherein the starting protein has an amino sidechain with a nucleophilic moiety which reacts with a carbohydrate having an oxazoline moiety on the reducing end to covalently bond the amino sidechain of the starting protein with the oxazoline moiety.  The glycosylated protein substantially retains the structure and function of the starting protein. 

In Vitro Glycosylation of Proteins and Enzymes - The present invention is broadly concerned with new in vitro glycosylation methods that provide rational approaches for producing glycosylated proteins, and the use of glycosylated proteins. In more detail, the present invention comprises methods of glycosylating a starting protein having an amino sidechain with a nucleophilic moiety, comprising the step of reacting the protein with a carbohydrate having an oxazoline moiety on the reducing end thereof, to covalently bond the amino sidechain of the starting protein with the oxazoline moiety, wherein the glycosylated protein substantially retains the structure and function of the starting protein. Target proteins include oxidase, oxidoreductase and dehydrogenase enzymes. The glycosylated proteins advantageously have molecular weights  of at least ∼7500 Da. In a further embodiment, the present invention concerns the use of glycosylated proteins, fabricated by the methods disclosed herein, in the assembly of amperometric biosensors.

In Vitro Glycosylation of Proteins and Enzymes - The present invention comprises methods of glycosylating a starting protein having an amino sidechain with a nucleophilic moiety, comprising the step of reacting the protein with a carbohydrate having an oxazoline moiety on the reducing end thereof, to covalently bond the amino sidechain of the starting protein with the oxazoline moiety.  The glycosylated protein substantially retains the structure and function of the starting protein.  This is the parent application for the in vitro glycosylation platform.  

Published Patent Applications - Pending

U.S. Pat. Appl.  18/196,214 

Universal Adjuvant for Nasal, Oral, and Intramuscular Delivery of Vaccines - The present invention is broadly concerned with a vaccine composition comprising at least one immunogen modified by in vitro glycosylation methods.  In particular, this method generates glycosylated versions of immunogens via the reducing end of a linear carbohydrate with a reducing end containing an N-acyl-2-amino moiety.  This invention allows for the custom control of placement and amounts of a linear carbohydrate on the immunogen.  The immunogen may be singular or attached to a nanoparticle.  The glycosylated immunogen of the vaccine composition may be self-adjuvanting for enteral, parenteral, topical, intravaginal, and intranasal delivery.

PCT Appl. No. PCT/US23/
23550

Universal Adjuvant for Nasal, Oral, and Intramuscular Delivery of Vaccines - The present invention is broadly concerned with a vaccine composition comprising at least one immunogen modified by in vitro glycosylation methods.  In particular, this method generates glycosylated versions of immunogens via the reducing end of a linear carbohydrate with a reducing end containing an N-acyl-2-amino moiety.  This invention allows for the custom control of placement and amounts of a linear carbohydrate on the immunogen.  The immunogen may be singular or attached to a nanoparticle.  The glycosylated immunogen of the vaccine composition may be self-adjuvanting for enteral, parenteral, topical, intravaginal, and intranasal delivery.

Patent Applications Pending

U.S. Pat. Appl.  18/499,765

Self-Adjuvanting Multi-Protein Complexes for Modular Vaccine Production - The present invention is broadly concerned with a vaccine composition comprising a central carrier, at least one linear carbohydrate molecule, and at least one immunogen molecule, wherein each of the at least one linear carbohydrate molecule and at least one immunogen molecule are covalently bound to the carrier via respective covalent linkages. Vaccine compositions comprising multivalent carriers and related methods may find various therapeutic and prophylactic applications for inducing an immune response against, treating, or preventing a bacterial, viral, fungal, or protozoan infection, including, but are not limited to, coronaviruses, Lyme Disease, Chlamydia, and the related diseases thereof.

PCT Appl. No. PCT/US23/
78438

Self-Adjuvanting Multi-Protein Complexes for Modular Vaccine Production - The present invention is broadly concerned with a vaccine composition comprising a central carrier, at least one linear carbohydrate molecule, and at least one immunogen molecule, wherein each of the at least one linear carbohydrate molecule and at least one immunogen molecule are covalently bound to the carrier via respective covalent linkages. Vaccine compositions comprising multivalent carriers and related methods may find various therapeutic and prophylactic applications for inducing an immune response against, treating, or preventing a bacterial, viral, fungal, or protozoan infection, including, but are not limited to, coronaviruses, Lyme Disease, Chlamydia, and the related diseases thereof.

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