Intracellular delivery vehicles

US6599502B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Daniel A. Portnoy · Albany, US
• Darren E. Higgins · Berkeley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 7, 2001
• Grant date: Jul 29, 2003
• Expiry date: Sep 7, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61K39/00
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to intracellular delivering of agents to eukaryotic cells. The compositions include microbial delivery vehicles such as nonvirulent bacteria comprising a first gene encoding a nonsecreted foreign cytolysin operably linked to a heterologous promoter and a second gene encoding a different foreign agent. The foreign agent may be a nucleic acid or protein, and is frequently bioactive in and therapeutic to the target eukaryote. In addition, the invention provides eukaryotic cells comprising the subject nonvirulent bacteria and nonhuman eukaryotic host organisms comprising such cells.