Neurochem Inc., of Saint-Laurent, Quebec, was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,329,356 covering the use of phosphonocarboxylate compounds in order to inhibit the deposition of toxic amyloid fibrils that cause amyloidosis. The patent was issued to Neurochem’s researchers and to collaborators at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

ProtoTech Inc., of Kirkland, Wash., said U.S. Patent No. 6,340,783 titled “Rodent Models of Human Amyloidosis” was issued to the University of Washington. The patent is licensed exclusively to ProteoTech. U.S. Patent No. 6,346,280 titled “Composition and Methods for Inhibiting the Formation of Brain Amyloid Deposits” also was issued the University of Washington and is licensed exclusively to ProteoTech.

Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Boulder, Colo., was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,346,398 with broad claims covering ribozymes and antisense nucleic acid molecules that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor receptor gene expression. This patent, in addition to other RPI patents, is expected to provide a strong position for the anti-flt-1 ribozyme, Angiozyme, which is designed to inhibit the growth of new vasculature that supplies blood to tumors and prevents tumor growth and metastasis.

Structural Bioinformatics Inc., of San Diego, received a notice of allowance of claims from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a family of drug-like molecules that inhibit the activity of anthrax lethal factor.