Patents Assigned to Merck & Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 7482428
    Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV31 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV31 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides are free from internal transcription termination signals that are recognized by yeast. Also provided are synthetic polynucleotides encoding HPV31 L1 wherein the polynucleotides have been codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV31 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV31 VLPs. The vaccines of the present invention provide effective immunoprophylaxis against papillomavirus infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kathrin U. Jansen, Loren D. Schultz, Michael P. Neeper, Henry Z. Markus
  • Publication number: 20080096856
    Abstract: Fermentation of a nutrient medium with a Nocardia spp. yields a novel broad spectrum antibiotic compound of structural formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, enantiomer, diasteriomer or mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: MERCK & CO., LTD.
    Inventors: John Barrett, Kithsiri Herath, Hiranthi Jayasuriya, Prakash Masurekar, John Ondeyka, Sheo Singh, Chaowei Zhang
  • Patent number: 6232318
    Abstract: Novel pyrimidinedione compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed. The synthesis of these compounds and their use as alpha 1a adrenergic receptor antagonists is also described. One application of these compounds is in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. These compounds are selective in their ability to relax smooth muscle tissue enriched in the alpha 1a receptor subtype without at the same time inducing hypotension. One such tissue is found surrounding the urethral lining. Therefore, one utility of the instant compounds is to provide acute relief to males suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia, by permitting less hindered urine flow. Another utility of the instant compounds is provided by combination with a human 5-alpha reductase inhibitory compound, such that both acute and chronic relief from the effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jennie B. Nerenberg, Mark G. Bock
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6025500
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved stereoselective heterogenous catalytic reductive amination between ethyl 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate and alanylproline using hydrogen, a catalyst and one or more additives to produce the ACE inhibitor, enalapril.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark A. Huffman, Paul J. Reider, Carl Leblond, Yongkui Sun
  • Patent number: 5985892
    Abstract: There are disclosed compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are useful as antagonists of GnRH and as such may be useful for the treatment of a variety of sex-hormone related and other conditions in both men and women.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Walsh, Mark T. Goulet, Feroze Ujjainwalla, Robert L. Bugianesi
  • Patent number: 5939263
    Abstract: A novel mammalian neuropeptide Y receptor and method of making the receptor are provided. The invention includes DNA encoding the receptor, the receptor, assays employing the receptor, cells expressing the receptor, antibodies which bind specifically to the receptor, RNA encoded by the DNA sequence or its complementary sequence, and single-stranded DNA with a sequence complementary to the RNA which encodes the receptor. The receptor and assays employing the receptor are useful for identifying compounds which bind to the receptor, including specific modulators of the receptor. Such compounds are useful for treating a variety of disease conditions, including obesity, diabetes, anxiety, hypertension, cocaine withdrawal, congestive heart failure, memory enhancement, cardiac and cerebral vasospasm, pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroblastoma, and Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Margaret A. Cascieri, Douglas J. MacNeil, Lin-Lin Shiao, David H. Weinberg, Carina P. Tan, David L. Linemeyer, Catherine D. Strader
  • Patent number: 5882601
    Abstract: An access port for a reaction or other fluid vessel which maintains the vessel under an inert gas atmosphere and maintains the integrity of the inert gas seal while performing filtered filling or draining operations is presented. The port uses a deflected septum sealing technique. The invention can be used for a number of laboratory and clinical operations on a variety of size and shape vessels. The combination of the appropriate vessel with this access port is very well suited for use in lab automation systems, such as automated solid phase chemical synthesis, biological screening, combinatorial chemistry and other areas where reaction chemistry is conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary S. Kath, Lihu Yang, Gregory W. King
  • Patent number: 5489685
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for rapid synthesis of substituted furanyl pyridines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ioannis Houpis, Audrey Molina, Joseph E. Lynch, Hywyn R. O. Churchill, Ralph P. Volante, Paul J. Reider, Woo-Baeg Choi