Ryogen LLC, of Suffern, N.Y., received U.S. Patent No. 7,588,915, titled "Isolated Genomic Polynucleotide Fragments from Chromosome 7." It covers isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments that encode human adipocyte enhancer binding protein 1, complementary polynucleotides, vectors and host cells containing those fragments and a method for obtaining AEBP1.

Savara Inc., of Austin, Texas, received a patent allowance for its NanoCluster technology. The patent covers its formulation of inhalation particles that are composed of drug nanoparticles agglomerated together.

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp., of Calgary, Alberta, was granted U.S. Patent No. 7,604,993, titled "Combined Regulation of Neural Cell Production," which covers the use of prolactin in combination with other biological agents for producing neuronal or glial precursor cells in vivo or in vitro. It also was awarded U.S. Patent No. 7,629,169, titled "Methods for the Production of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-Responsive Neural Precursor Cells." That patent covers methods of producing and self-renewing PDGF-responsive precursor cells in culture using PDGF and FGF-2.

Titan Pharmaceuticals Inc., of South San Francisco, received a notice of allowance for a patent application, titled "Implantable polymeric device for sustained release of buprenorphine." Claims include a method for treating patients diagnosed with opiate addiction using a small implantable rod-shaped polymeric matrix comprising buprenorphine blended with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

Transcept Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Point Richmond, Calif., received a notice of allowance for a patent covering the use of Intermezzo (zolpidem tartrate sublingual tablet). It also received a notice of allowance for a separate patent covering the composition and use of Intermezzo.

Vermillion Inc., of Fremont, Calif., received U.S. Patent No. 7,605,003, titled "Use of biomarkers for detecting ovarian cancer," which covers biomarker combinations for both the diagnosis and management of ovarian cancer and covers measurement of the markers by a variant of methods, including mass spectrometry and immunoassay approaches.