Albany, N.Y., July 16, 2003 - State University of New York Chancellor Robert L. King today announced that a newly awarded patent for therapeutic antibodies invented by a Stony Brook University researcher is helping a Long Island startup company develop a therapy that fights cancer cells without the side effects associated with other treatments now in use.
"Dr. Wen-Tien Chen has linked several molecular and cellular events with the spread of cancer cells to distant areas of the body through the bloodstream. His discoveries are building the scientific knowledge that will some day help pharmaceutical companies develop novel therapies that attack only cancer cells without harming normal cells," said King.
The patent, 6,573,096 - Compositions and methods for inhibition of cancer invasion and angiogenesis, was issued in June 2003. It covers novel technology that is the basis of a pre-clinical development program at Vitatex Inc., a Long Island-based start-up company that is developing technology and products to detect cancer and treat patients with metastatic cancer without toxic side-effects.
In May and June 2003 SUNY received six new patents; patents also were awarded for three other inventions at Stony Brook University and inventions by researchers at the University at Buffalo and at the SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale. SUNY holds more than 600 patents and is ranked 8th in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's ranking of patents to U.S. universities.
As the inventor of this newly patented technology, Chen is widely recognized for his expertise in the ultra structure and function of cancer cells during the invasive process. His main scientific contribution is in the field of cell adhesion, migration and invasion.
"We have developed monoclonal antibodies that inhibit specific protein digesting enzymes and stop tumors from developing new blood vessels," said Chen, a professor of Research Oncology and director of the Metastasis Research Laboratory at Stony Brook University. "Vitatex scientists now are using this science to explore novel antiangiogenesis therapies that can restrict tumor growth."
Antiangiogenesis therapy is a promising new cancer treatment that uses synthetic compounds or natural substances such as proteins and monoclonal antibodies to stop tumors from developing new blood vessels. Without a blood supply, tumors can't grow much larger than the eye of a needle.
Most antiangiogenic drugs work by preventing the growth of the endothelial cells that form the inner lining of the blood vessels. Without this first step, new blood vessels can't be made. One class of antiangiogenic drugs are proteins made in a lab, which slow the growth of endothelial cells. Another antiangiogenesis drug involves monoclonal antibodies that are similar to antibodies normally made by the body's immune system to fight disease. Still other antiangiogenesis drugs stop the signals sent to a cell's control center that would tell the cell to produce more growth-promoting substances.
"Our goal is to develop drugs that fight cancer cells while causing far fewer side effects than other treatments now in use," Chen said. "We believe we can develop novel drugs that are safe for humans."
Chen's research was funded by grants from the U.S. Public Health Service, National Cancer Institute and
The National Institute of Aging.
U.S. patents for SUNY inventions are awarded to The Research Foundation of SUNY, which is responsible for protecting SUNY intellectual property and commercializing these technologies for public benefit through its Technology Transfer central office in Albany and through offices at State University campuses in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo and Stony Brook. In 2002 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded 55 patents to SUNY, placing in the top 10 of U.S. universities receiving the most patents for inventions.
The following patents were awarded to Stony Brook University:
6,561,991 - Non-invasive method and system of quantifying human postural stability
Inventors: Drs. Kenneth J. McLeod; former professor, Stony Brook University, and now professor and chair, Department of Bioengineering, Binghamton University; and Clinton T. Rubin; professor and chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University.
Issued: May 13, 2003
Filed: Dec. 19, 2000
Summary: The latest of nine patents involving Stony Brook University research in mechanical vibration to control osteoporosis and other illness brought on by a weakening of the bones, this invention covers a less expensive system to determine a patient's stability or balance. The device evaluates the musculoskeletal system by forcing patients to control their posture while on a moving platform, and the vibrational response is analyzed to determine the postural stability.
For the past 15 years, Stony Brook University research has demonstrated that patients standing on a gently vibrating platform can build and strengthen bone and prevent osteoporosis and other related illnesses. Researchers have developed a device that sends low-level vibrations into the body to stimulate II A muscle fiber development, enhance fluid flow through the bones, and stimulate bone growth.
6,576,861 - Method and apparatus for fine feature spray deposition
Inventors: Drs. Sanjay Sampath, director, Center for Thermal Spray Research/National Science Foundation Materials Research Science and Engineering Center; Herbert Herman; director, National Science Foundation Center for Thermal Spray Research; and Robert Greenlaw; former graduate student.
Issued: June 10, 2003
Filed: May 23, 2001
Summary: Licensed to MesoScribe Technologies Inc., a Stony Brook University based spin-off company at the Long Island High Technology Incubator, this invention enables the manufacture of new electrical components for circuits or sensor systems using a system that allows fine electronic features to be printed directly on a circuit board without the need of a predefined mask. These components can be formed by sequentially depositing features with various electrical properties using a low temperature spray deposition processes on a variety of substrate. The automated assembly process and the absence of solder joints helps reduce manufacturing costs and increases the reliability of rugged electronic components.
MesoScribe, founded in 2002 by Material Science and Engineering professor Richard Gambino, is developing the technical capability for direct writing and direct fabrication of sensors and circuits with research grants from the Department of Energy and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under the Mesoscopic Integrated Conformal Electronics (MICE) Initiative. The aim of the MICE program is to make a global positioning satellite antenna that is robust, easily integrated with conventional electronics, and can be put on a soldier's helmet.
6,569,932 - Blends of organic silicon compounds with ethylene-based polymers
Inventors: Drs. Benjamin S. Hsiao, associate professor, and Benjamin Chu, distinguished professor; Department of Chemistry; Stony Brook University; Xuan Fu; formerly of Stony Brook University; and Drs. Rusty L. Blanski and Shawn H. Phillips, chemical engineers at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Issued: May 27, 2003
Filed: July 6, 2001
Summary: This invention involves the synthesis and incorporation of nanoparticle/polymer blends that can enhance the performance characteristics of polymers, yielding a hybrid material that bridges the performance gap between ceramics and organic polymers. The research was funded by grants from the National Science Foundation.
The synthesis of these blends has expanded greatly in recent years. Many new research efforts have focused on studying how nanofillers such as clay sheets, silica particles, activated carbon, carbon fibers, and many others enhance properties once incorporated into the polymer matrix. When the nanoparticles are inorganic, the resulting material may have the combined high temperature properties of ceramics and the toughness of organic polymers.
The Stony Brook University and Air Force Research Laboratory team have shown that altering the organic functionality around the polyhedral oligo silsesquioxanes (POSS) molecule can enhance a wide array of polymers, including increases in surface hardness and use temperature, as well as decreases in flammability and wear rates.
Established in 1957, Stony Brook University is one of the leading public research institutions in the nation. Its renowned graduate and undergraduate programs include the humanities, arts and sciences, and engineering and applied sciences. Internationally known faculty members teach courses in more than 100 programs to 22,000 students. Stony Brook's Health Sciences Center trains undergraduate and graduate students for careers in healthcare and Stony Brook University Hospital is the tertiary care facility for Suffolk County's 1.7 million residents. Last year, Stony Brook University expanded into New York City with a new state-of-the-art Manhattan facility. Stony Brook University is a NCAA Division I school and a member of the invitation-only organization of top research universities, the Association of American Universities (AAU).
