Patents by Inventor Reid J. Leonard

Reid J. Leonard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • DNA encoding the .beta. subunit of a mammalian maxi-K potassium channel
    Patent number: 5776734
    Abstract: This invention relates to a heteromultimer and its use in screening pharmaceutically active compounds for modulators of maxi-K channel activity. Such modulators are useful in treating asthma, pregnant human myometrium, hypertension and angina, cerebral ischemia and in conditions where stimulation of neurotransmitter release is desired such as Alzheimer's disease and stimulation of damaged nerves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kaczorowski, Maria L. Garcia, Reid J. Leonard, Owen B. McManus, Richard J. Swanson, Kimberly L. Folander
  • Screening array using cells expressing recombinant .alpha. and .beta. subunits of the mammalian large-conductance (maxi-K) potassium channel
    Patent number: 5637470
    Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the .beta. subunit of the mammalian large-conductance ("maxi-K") potassium channel, cells transformed with such nucleic acids, and .beta. subunit proteins produced by the transformed cells. Within the invention are recombinant host cells expressing .alpha..beta. heteromultimers. Such cells or preparations made from them may be used to screen for pharmacologically active modulators of maxi-K channel activity. Such modulators are potentially useful in treating asthma, pregnant human myometrium, hypertension and angina, cerebral ischemia, and conditions where stimulation of neurotransmitter release is desired, such as in Alzheimer's disease and stimulation of damaged nerves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kaczorowski, Maria L. Garcia, Reid J. Leonard, Owen B. McManus, Richard J. Swanson, Kimberly L. Folander
  • Scorpion peptide margatoxin with immunosuppressant activity
    Patent number: 5494895
    Abstract: A thirty-nine amino acid peptide, Margatoxin (MgTX), is purified to homogeneity from venom of the scorpion Centruroides margaritatus. The gene encoding MgTX is constructed and this gene is expressed in E. coli, to produce recombinant MgTX. MgTX is a potent and selective inhibitor of a voltage-dependent K.sup.+ channel present in human lymphocytes. MgTX exhibits immunosuppressant activity with human T-lymphocytes, and is useful as an immunosuppressant, in modeling nonpeptidyl K.sup.+ channel blockers, and in establishing biochemical assays based on ligand binding or other protocols with which to screen for other novel modulators of voltage dependent K.sup.+ channels in lymphocytes and other tissues including the brain. As an immunosuppressant, MgTX is useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, the prevention of rejection of foreign organ transplants and/or related afflictions, diseases and illnesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Maria L. Garcia, Gloria C. Koo, Reid J. Leonard, Chiu-Chuan S. Lin, Robert S. Slaughter, Scott P. Stevens, Joanne M. Williamson