patent filed by Amgen in Jan. 2004 and published Sept. 9, 2004. This was for Amgen's GDNF gene.
Glial derived neurotrophic factor


Abstract A novel neurotrophic factor referred to as glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been identified and isolated from serum free growth conditioned medium of B49 glioblastoma cells. Rat and human genes encoding GDNF have been cloned and sequenced. A gene encoding GDNF has been subcloned into a vector, and the vector has been used to transform a host cell in order to produce biologically active GDNF in a recombinant DNA process.
Inventors: Lin, Leu-Fen H.; (Boulder, CO) ; Collins, Franklin D.; (Agoura Hills, CA) ; Doherty, Daniel H.; (Boulder, CO) ; Lile, Jack; (Nederland, CO) ; Bektesh, Susan; (Boulder, CO) Correspondence Name and Address: AMGEN INCORPORATED
MAIL STOP 27-4-A
ONE AMGEN CENTER DRIVE
THOUSAND OAKS
CA
91320-1799
US
Assignee Name and Adress: Amgen Inc.


Assignee Name and Adress: Amgen Inc.

Serial No.: 758622 Series Code: 10 Filed: January 14, 2004
http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...gdnf+AND+amgen



"FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to neurotrophic factors and glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in particular. Also included within this invention are processes for purification of GDNF from natural sources and processes for cloning rat and human genes encoding GDNF, as well as the nucleic acid sequence of the rat and human genes that encode GDNF. The GDNF gene has been subcloned into an expression vector, and the vector used to express biologically active GDNF. In addition, this invention includes the use of GDNF for preventing and treating nerve damage and nerve related diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

[0002] Antibodies to GDNF are disclosed, as well as methods for identifying members of the GDNF family of neurotrophic factors. And finally, methods are described for preventing or treating nerve damage by implanting into patients cells that secrete GDNF. "