Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jack L. Tribble
  • Method for improving culture medium for recombinant yeast
    Patent number: 6232111
    Abstract: Yields in yeast recombinant expression systems are improved by identifying bad lots and supplementing them with the appropriate combination of adenine, trehalose and/or lactate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jinyou Zhang, Randolph L. Greasham
  • Immunization against Streptococcus pneumoniae using conjugated and unconjugated pneumoccocal polysaccharide vaccines
    Patent number: 6224880
    Abstract: A method of immunizing against disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is provided in which children are immunized at age 2 and again at age 4 months with a conjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. These immunizations are followed by an immunization at 6 months with an unconjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Optionally, a fourth immunization at 12 months with unconjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is given.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Christina Y. Chan, Jerald C. Sadoff
  • Method for preventing zoster or alleviating varicella related post-herpetic neuralgia
    Patent number: 6214354
    Abstract: Herpes Zoster, or varicella related post herpetic neuralgia is alleviated by immunizing people at risk of developing herpes zoster with varicella zoster virus (VZV) antigen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gary B. Calandra, Philip J. Provost, Myron J. Levin, C. Jo White
  • Method of identifying modulators of protein tyrosine phosphatase activity
    Patent number: 6214564
    Abstract: A human protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) has been identified and its cDNA has been isolated. This PTP, denoted PTP-OB, has a receptor-like three dimensional structure and is present in osteoblasts. PTP-OB is involved in osteoblast differentiation, and modulators of PTP-OB activity in turn modulate osteoblast differentiation, osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gideon A. Rodan, Su Jane Rutledge, Azriel Schmidt
  • DNA encoding prostaglandin receptor DP
    Patent number: 6214972
    Abstract: A novel human DP prostaglandin receptor has been identified and DNA encoding the receptor has been isolated, purified, sequenced and expressed in host cells. This DNA encoding the novel prostaglandin receptor and host cells expressing the receptor are used to identify modulators of the prostaglandin receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Merck Frosst Canada & Co.
    Inventors: Mark Abramovitz, Yves Boie, Kathleen Metters, Nicole Sawyer, Deborah M. Slipetz
  • Stabilizers containing recombinant human serum albumin for live virus vaccines
    Patent number: 6210683
    Abstract: Compositions are provided for improving the stability of live virus vaccines containing, e.g., live varicella zoster, measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. Such improved stabilizers are aqueous solutions containing recombinant human serum albumin (rHA) as a component at from 1-100 g/l. Live virus vaccines as well as methods of preparing live virus vaccines containing the stabilizers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Burke, David Volkin
  • Transgenic mouse expressing a familial form of human amyloid precursor protein
    Patent number: 6211428
    Abstract: Transgenic non-human mammals which express in their brains a nucleic acid construct comprising a DNA sequence encoding a human amyloid precursor protein FAD variant where at amino acid position 717 valine is substituted by isoleucine. These transgenic non-human mammals can be assays systems for determining compounds which are effective in modulating production of human amyloid precursor protein in brain and in isolated neuronal cells. Specifically exemplified are transgenic mice whose genome comprises a DNA sequence encoding a human amyloid precursor protein FAD variant where at amino acid position 717 valine is substituted by isoleucine operably linked to a Thy-1 promoter. The mice are shown to produce the APP-FAD variant in their brains by mRNA and protein assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gurparlash Singh, Howard Y. Chen, Robert P. Heavens, Dalip J. S. Sirinathsinghji, David W. Smith, Myrna E. Trumbauer, Leonardus H. T. Van Der Ploeg, Aurawan Vongs, Hui Zheng
  • Human receptor tyrosine kinase, KDR
    Patent number: 6204011
    Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a novel human receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR, is disclosed. The isolation of this KDR cDNA sequence results in disclosure of purified forms of human KDR protein, recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which express human KDR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Kendall, Xianzhi Mao, Kenneth A. Thomas, Andrew Tebben
  • Bioprocess for production of dipeptide based compounds
    Patent number: 6204008
    Abstract: Bioprocesses are disclosed for the production of compounds which can be produced from a dipeptide intermediate. The process comprises production of a recombinant polypeptide which contains the dipeptide intermediate. The dipeptide intermediate is further processed to ultimately provide the finished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: W. Scott Borneman, Anil Goyal, Michael J. Conder, Victor A. Vinci
  • Method for large scale plasmid purification
    Patent number: 6197553
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the large scale isolation and purification of plasmid DNA from large scale microbial fermentations. The process exploits a rapid heating method to induce cell lysis and precipitate genomic DNA, proteins and other debris while keeping the plasmid in solution. Suspending the microbial cells in buffer and then heating the suspension to about 70-100° C. in a flow-through heat exchanger results in excellent lysis. Continuous flow or batch-wise centrifugation of the lysate effects a pellet that contains the cell debris, protein and most of the genomic DNA while the plasmid remains in the supernatant. This invention offers a number of advantages including higher product recovery than by chemical lyses, inactivation of Dnases, operational simplicity and scaleability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ann L Lee, Sangeetha Sagar
  • Hepatitis A virus culture process
    Patent number: 6194210
    Abstract: A microcarrier based process to produce viral vaccines, of which one example is hepatitis A virus (HAV), is composed of an aggregated microcarrier system of glass coated polystyrene microcarriers and MRC-5 cells which creates a stable environment for the propagation of the virus over even extended infection periods. The microcarrier aggregates formed according to this process eliminate the sloughing of cells from the beads during long cultivations seen in other systems, allowing high virus productivity in microcarrier culture. The methodology is applicable where virus production can be enhanced by creating a stable culture during an extended infection period. Scalable stirred bioreactors are used instead of multiple parallel stationary surface bioreactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Leu, Douglas B. Seifert
  • Transgenic mouse having a disrupted amyloid precursor protein gene
    Patent number: 6187992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic nonhuman animal lacking native amyloid precursor protein. The transgenic mouse of the invention may be used in the study of Alzheimer's Disease and disorders involving the central nervous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignees: Merck & co., Inc., Merck Frosst Canada & Co.
    Inventors: Hui Zheng, Howard Y. Chen, Myrna E. Trumbauer, Leonardus H. T. van der Ploeg, Guy Seabrook, Dalip Sirinathsinghji
  • Vascular endothelial cell growth factor II
    Patent number: 6180107
    Abstract: Vascular endothelial cell growth factor II is purified from the culture media used to maintain mammalian glioma cells. The protein is a heterodimer, stimulates mitogenesis of mammalian vascular endothelial cells and is useful for the promotion of vascular development and repair. This unique growth factor is also useful in the promotion of tissue repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin L. Bayne, Gregory L. Conn, Kenneth A. Thomas, Jr.
  • DNA encoding triol polyketide synthase
    Patent number: 6174706
    Abstract: DNA encoding triol polyketide synthase (TPKS) has been isolated, purified and sequenced. Expression vectors comprising TPKS, cells transformed with the expression vectors, and processes employing the transformed cells are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Victor A. Vinci, Michael J. Conder, Phyllis C. McAda, Christopher D. Reeves, John Rambosek, Charles Ray Davis, Lee E. Hendrickson
  • Synthetic HPV6/11 hybrid L1 DNA encoding human papillomavirus type 11 L1 protein
    Patent number: 6159729
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic DNA molecule encoding purified human papillomavirus type 11 L1 protein and derivatives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Hofmann, Kathrin U. Jansen, Michael P. Neeper, Joseph G. Joyce, Hugh A. George, E. Dale Lehman
  • Human NMDA R2A receptor subunit and isoforms of the human NMDA-R1 receptor subunit and encoding cDNAs
    Patent number: 6130058
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stably co-transfected eukaryotic cell line that expresses an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, particularly a human NMDA receptor, which receptor comprises at least one R1 subunit isoform, or at least one R1 subunit isoform and one or two R2 subunits. Additionally, the cell line can be used to design and develop NMDA receptor subtype-selective compounds. The invention also relates to cloning of novel cDNA sequences encoding the human NMDAR 2A subunit and various isoforms of the human NMDA R1 subunit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Merck Sharpe & Dohme Ltd.
    Inventors: Beatrice Le Bourdelles, Janice Ann Myers, Paul John Whiting
  • Assay for marker of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase activity
    Patent number: 6124107
    Abstract: A immunoassay based on the detection of leukocyte-elastase produced fibrinogen cleavage peptides which allows the evaluation of the potency of compounds that inhibit formation of cleavage peptides in a variety of in vitro cell biological situations is provided. The assay may be employed to detect an endogenous leukocyte-elastase produced fibrinogen cleavage peptide signal in normal human plasma and at elevated levels in cystic fibrosis plasma and in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluid samples. The assay procedure can be a single step assay which allows for the rapid and reproducible detection of specific cleavage peptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Humes, Richard Allen Mumford, D. T. Philip Davies, Mary Ellen Dahlgren, Joshua Schafer Boger
  • Human N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits, nucleic acids encoding same and uses therefore
    Patent number: 6111091
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided nucleic acids encoding human NMDA receptor protein subunits and the proteins encoded thereby. The NMDA receptor subunits of the invention comprise components of NMDA receptors that have cation-selective channels and bind glutamate and NMDA. In one aspect of the invention, the nucleic acids encode NMDAR1 and NMDAR2 subunits of human NMDA receptors. In a preferred embodiment, the invention nucleic acids encode NMDAR1, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B, NMDAR2C and NMDAR2D subunits of human NMDA receptors. In addition to being useful for the production of NMDA receptor subunit proteins, these nucleic acids are also useful as probes, thus enabling those skilled in the art, without undue experimentation, to identify and isolate related human receptor subunits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lorrie P. Daggett, Chin-Chun Lu
  • Capped synthetic RNA, analogs, and aptamers
    Patent number: 6111095
    Abstract: A method is provided for making synthetic capped RNAs. These compounds serve as substrates for the virally encoded endonuclease associated with influenza virus. We are able to assay for this unique and specific viral activity of cleavage of a capped RNA in vitro. Therefore, screening of inhibitors of this activity is possible. In addition, short non-extendible (due to their length or because of the modification of the 3'-end of the oligo, i.e. 3'-dA) RNAs are potent inhibitors of the cleavage of capped RNAs by influenza endonuclease. Finally, these compounds may be used to investigate viral and cellular mechanisms of transcription/translation or mRNA maturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Fritz Benseler, James L. Cole, David B. Olsen, Lawrence C. Kuo
  • DNA encoding precursor of interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme--related cysteine proteinase II (ICE.sub.rel -II)
    Patent number: 6110701
    Abstract: A complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding full length form of ICE.sub.rel -II is identified, sequenced and isolated. The cDNA is cloned into expression vectors for expression in recombinant hosts. The cDNA is useful to produce recombinant full length ICE.sub.rel -II. The cDNA and the recombinant ICE.sub.rel -II protein derived therefrom are useful in diagnostic kits, laboratory reagents and assays. The cDNA and the recombinant ICE.sub.rel -II protein may be used to identify compounds that affect ICE.sub.rel -II function, inflammation and cell apoptosis. ICE.sub.rel -II function, inflammation and cell apoptosis may also be modulated by ICE.sub.rel -II antisense or gene therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Merck Frosst Canada & Co.
    Inventors: Donald W. Nicholson, Ambereen Ali, Neil A. Munday, John P. Vaillancourt