Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jack L. Tribble
  • Synthetic HPV 16 virus-like particles
    Patent number: 5952216
    Abstract: A series of synthetic virus-like particles useful in the characterization of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) infection and assays employing the synthetic particles are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Ludmerer
  • Human steroid receptor
    Patent number: 5939322
    Abstract: Through the use of the novel receptor NER in a screening procedure, TOFA (5-tetradecyloxy)-2-furan-carboxylic acid) has been found to modulate other receptors and to be a potent potentiator of other drugs. TOFA activates the NER receptor. The NER receptor is a novel member of the steroid hormone receptor family and has been prepared by cDNA cloning from a human osteosarcoma SAOS-2/B10 cell library. Also disclosed is the complete sequence of human NER cDNA; a COS stable expression system; the expressed NER protein; and an assay using the COS expression system. In addition, the invention relates to a method for identifying functional ligands of the NER receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gideon A. Rodan, Su Jane Rutledge, Azriel Schmidt, Robert L. Vogel
  • Rotavirus vaccine formulations
    Patent number: 5932223
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel liquid and lyophilized formulations of vaccines against rotavirus infection and methods of their preparation. The formulations include buffering agents appropriate for oral administration of rotavirus vaccines. The formulations also include compounds to stabilize of the vaccine compositions against loss of potency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Burke, David B. Volkin
  • Method for measuring metaplastic changes of mucus secreting epithelial cells
    Patent number: 5932481
    Abstract: A method for the rapid estimation of hyperplastic and hypertrophic changes in animal airways is an assay which specifically measures acidic and neutral mucoproteins in a linear fashion from 0.5 to at least 10 .mu.g. The assay comprises exposure of a test animal to a suspected metaplastic inducer, removal of the lungs, homogenization in an appropriately buffered solution containing reducing agents and protease inhibitors; removal of particulate matter; and size-fractionation of the SDS treated soluble extract. The high molecular weight material is immobilized and stained for either acidic or neutral mucosubstances and the specific staining is quantitated. The changes observed are consistent with those seen in histological sections of the exposed tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Merck Frosst Canada & Co.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Pon, Louise Boulet, Carlo J. van Staden, Rejean Fortin
  • Synthetic HPV16 virus-like particles
    Patent number: 5922588
    Abstract: The invention is a series of synthetic virus-like particles useful in the characterization of human papillomavirus infection and assays employing the synthetic virus-like particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Ludmerer
  • Nucleic acids encoding a truncated mouse .beta. integrin subunit
    Patent number: 5895754
    Abstract: The full-length mouse .beta.3 integrin has been cloned and sequenced. A new form of .beta.3 integrin (.beta.3 trunc ) has also been cloned and sequenced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Le T. Duong, Gideon A. Rodan, Elka M. Nutt
  • Recombinant papillomavirus vaccines
    Patent number: 5888516
    Abstract: Recombinant expression vectors encoding the L1 and L2 proteins of papillomavirus, methods of making and using the recombinant proteins and purified virus-like particles comprised of the recombinant proteins are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Kathrin U. Jansen, James C. Cook, III, Hugh A. George, Kathryn J. Hofmann, Joseph G. Joyce, Ernest Dale Lehman, Henry Z. Markus, Mark Rosolowsky, Loren S. Schultz
  • Synthetic glucagon binding proteins
    Patent number: 5889167
    Abstract: A synthetic human glucagon (hGlu) binding protein designated hGlu.DELTA.252-259 binding protein is cloned, expressed and used in an in vitro assay to screen for compounds that bind to the synthetic binding protein, including compounds that specifically stimulate or inhibit the binding of glucagon to the synthetic receptor. The invention includes the assay, the synthetic binding protein used in the assay, DNA encoding the synthetic binding protein, cells expressing the synthetic binding protein, and compounds identified through the use of the synthetic binding protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret A. Cascieri, Gary A. Chicchi, Michael P. Graziano, Patricia J. Hey
  • DNA encoding prostaglandin receptor FP
    Patent number: 5869281
    Abstract: A novel 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: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Merck Frosst Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Abramovitz, Richard Grygorczyk, Kathleen Metters, Truyen Nguyen, Thomas H. Rushmore, Deborah Slipetz
  • Human protein tyrosine phosphatase OB protein
    Patent number: 5866397
    Abstract: A novel human protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) has been identified and its cDNA has been isolated. This novel 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: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gideon A. Rodan, Su Jane Rutledge, Azriel Schmidt
  • Polynucleotide vaccine for papillomavirus
    Patent number: 5866553
    Abstract: DNA constructs encoding papilloma virus gene products, capable of being expressed upon direct introduction into animal tissues, are novel prophylactic pharmaceuticals which can provide immune protection against infection by papilloma virus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Donnelly, Margaret A. Liu, Douglas Martinez, Donna L. Montgomery
  • Capped synthetic RNA, analogs, and aptamers
    Patent number: 5861501
    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: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Fritz Benseler, James L. Cole, David B. Olsen, Lawrence C. Kuo
  • Inhibitor of vascular endothelial cell growth factor
    Patent number: 5861484
    Abstract: The vascula endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors of the present invention are naturally occurring or recombinantly engineered soluble forms with or without a C-terminal transmembrane region of the receptor for VEGF, a very selective growth factor for endothelial cells. The soluble forms of the receptors will bind the growth factor with high affinity but do not result in signal transduction. These soluble forms of the receptor bind VEGF and inhibit its function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Kendall, Kenneth A. Thomas, Jr.
  • Method for producing a highly enriched population of osteoclast cells
    Patent number: 5856186
    Abstract: Methods of obtaining enriched populations of osteoclast precursor cells which can be released from tissue culture dishes and used for biochemical studies are described. Osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells are co-cultured. Next a .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 receptor ligand, such as echistatin is used for cell detachment. The result is an 75-95% pure enriched population of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP.sup.+) cells, in high yields (2-3.times.10.sup.6 cells per experiment) can be obtained. These cells are mostly mononucleated and based on their characteristics are considered to be pre-fusion osteoclasts (pOC cells). The precursor osteoclasts can be reseeded onto osteoblasts to obtain an enriched population of mature, multinucleated osteoclast cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Sevgi B. Rodan, Gregg Wesolowski, Gideon A. Rodan
  • DNA encoding triol polyketide synthase
    Patent number: 5849541
    Abstract: DNA encoding triol polyketide synthase (TPKS) from Aspergillus terreus has been isolated, purified and sequenced. Expression vectors comprising said DNA, cells transformed with the expression vectors, and processes employing the transformed cells are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    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
  • Process for making capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae
    Patent number: 5847112
    Abstract: Type-specific capsular polysaccharide preparations from Streptococcus pneumoniae, having on average less than about 1000 oligosaccharide repeat units per molecule, polydispersities between 1.0 and 1.4, intrinsic viscosities between 0.6 and 3.0 dL/g, and less than 3% contamination of type-specific polysaccharide by group-specific C-polysaccharide, are produced by a novel process. The novel type specific polysaccharide products are useful in the preparation of vaccines, especially covalent conjugates comprising the novel polysaccharide linked to a T-cell stimulatory carrier protein. Vaccines comprising the novel polysaccharides are useful in the prevention of infection and of diseases associated with infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Kniskern, William J. Miller, Arpi Hagopian, Charlotte C. Ip, John P. Hennessey, Jr., Dennis J. Kubek, Pamela D. Burke
  • Purified prostaglandin receptor FP
    Patent number: 5840847
    Abstract: A novel 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: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Merck Frosst Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Abramovitz, Richard Grygorczyk, Kathleen Metters, Truyen Nguyen, Thomas H. Rushmore, Deborah Slipetz
  • DNA encoding human papillomavirus type 18
    Patent number: 5840306
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to DNA molecules encoding purified human papillomavirus type 18 and derivatives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Hofmann, Kathrin U. Jansen, Michael P. Neeper
  • Method for identifying inhibitors for apopain based upon the crystal structure of the apopain: Ac-DEVD-CHO complex
    Patent number: 5834228
    Abstract: The apopain:Ac-DEVD-CHO complex has been crystallized and its structure determined by x-ray crystallography. Based upon this crystal structure of the complex, a method for identifying inhibitors of apopain is presented which comprises designing putative inhibitors having specific contacts with apopain, making the putative inhibitors, and testing the putative inhibitors for their ability to inhibit apopain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignees: Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Frosst Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Becker, Donald W. Nicholson, Jennifer Rotonda, Nancy A. Thornberry, Kimberly M. Fazil, Michel Gallant, Yves Gareau, Marc Labelle, Erin P. Peterson, Dita M. Rasper, Rejean Ruel, John P. Vaillancourt
  • Recombinant and native group B eimeria tenella immunogens useful as coccidiosis vaccines
    Patent number: 5824656
    Abstract: Genes coding for novel Group B Eimeria tenella protein immunogens have been isolated and inserted into a novel expression vector which in turn has been used to transform appropriate hosts. The transformed host cells produce recombinant Group B E. tenella proteins which are capable of inducing immunity in chickens to coccidiosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Helen Profous-Juchelka, Mervyn J. Turner, Paul A. Liberator