Patents Assigned to Merck
  • Patent number: 6319932
    Abstract: Novel oxazolidinone 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 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jennie B. Nerenberg, Mark G. Bock, Harold G. Selnick, Linda Payne
  • Publication number: 20010041702
    Abstract: This invention is concerned with a novel polymorphic form of the compound 2-(R)-(1-(R)-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)-ethoxy)-3-(S)-(4-fluoro)phenyl-4-(3-(5-oxo-1H,4H-1,2,4-triazolo)methylmorpholine which is a tachykinin receptor antagonist useful in the treatment or prevention of disorders of the central nervous system, inflammatory diseases, pain or migraine, asthma, and emesis. The instant polymorphic form has advantages over the other known forms of 2-(R)-(1-(R)-(3,1-bis(trifluoro-methyl)-phenyl)ethoxy)-3-(S)-(4-fluoro)phenyl-4-(3-(5-oxo-1H,4H-1,2,4-triazolo)methylmorpholine in terms of thermodynamic stability and suitability for inclusion in pharmaceutical formulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Louis Crocker, James Mccauley
  • Publication number: 20010041707
    Abstract: This invention is directed to dihydropyrimidines which are selective antagonists for human &agr;1a receptors. This invention is also related to uses of these compounds for relaxing lower urinary tract tissue, treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and for the treatment of any disease where the antagonism of the &agr;1a receptor may be useful. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Merck and Co., Inc
    Inventors: Donghui Cui, Margaret R. Davis, Michael Dunn, Ben E. Evans, Hanumath P. Kari, Bharat Lagu, Dhanapalan Nagarathnam, Kamlesh P. Vyas, Kanyin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20010041165
    Abstract: An effervescent formulation of alendronate contains an acid source, a carbonate source, a binder, a lubricant and optionally, flavoring agents, colorants and sweeteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: MERCK & CO., Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Katdare, Colin R. Gardner, Kenneth A. Kramer
  • Patent number: 6316444
    Abstract: Pyrimidine compounds (Formula I), or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates, crystal forms and individual diastereomers, and pharmaceutical compositions including the same, which are inhibitors of tyrosine kinase enzymes, and as such are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of protein tyrosine kinase-associated disorders, such as immune diseases, hyperproliferative disorders and other diseases in which inappropriate protein kinase action is believed to play a role, such as cancer, angiogensis, atheroscelerosis, graft rejection, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Julianne A. Hunt, Sander G. Mills, Peter J. Sinclair, Dennis M. Zaller
  • Patent number: 6316443
    Abstract: Combinations of a &bgr;-adrenergic antagonist and a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor are particularly useful in the treatment of ocular hypertension, especially in patients insufficiently responsive to treatment with &bgr;-adrenergic antagonists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 6316488
    Abstract: Fermentation of a nutrient medium with a eubacterium pseudomonas sp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Aurora M. Bernard-King, Michael J. Salvatore, Jr., Athanasios Tsipouras, Kennth E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6316472
    Abstract: The invention encompasses the novel compound of Formula I useful in the treatment of diseases, including asthma, by raising the level of cyclic adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) through the inhibition of phosphodiesterase IV (PDE 4). The invention also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck Frosst Canada & Co.
    Inventors: Richard Frenette, Yves Ducharme, Sylvie Prescott
  • Patent number: 6316481
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an oral pharmaceutical formulation containing a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) which is suitable for the treatment of gastric acid related diseases in man and animals. More specifically, the composition is a paste, and is particularly suitable for delivery of a proton pump inhibitor to horses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Freehauf
  • Patent number: 6316434
    Abstract: An assay for emetic activity among inhibitors of type 4 phosphodiesterase (PDE 4) is disclosed. The assay comprises: (A) administering to a test mammal an anesthetic compound in an amount sufficient to cause an anesthetic effect; (B) administering to the test mammal a test compound that has PDE 4 inhibitory activity; (C) observing the test mammal for changes in the anesthetic effect, and (D) correlating any change in the anesthetic effect observed in the anesthetized test mammal to a standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck Frosst Canada & Co.
    Inventors: Annette Robichaud, Chantal Savoie, Chi Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 6316436
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds which inhibit prenyl-protein transferase and particularly, the farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras. The invention is further directed to chemotherapeutic compositions containing the compounds of this invention and methods for inhibiting farnesyl-protein transferase and the farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: S. Jane deSolms, Anthony W. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6316611
    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: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lorrie P. Daggett, Chin-Chun Lu
  • Patent number: 6317201
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the determination of refractive indices, ranging over a wide range of values. It also relates to a method for the determination of the birefringence of liquid crystals. Further, it relates to optical instruments used for such determinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellesschaft
    Inventor: Michael Heckmeier
  • Patent number: 6316474
    Abstract: Benzimidazoles, substituted in the 2-position by substituted benzyl groups or heteroaryl groups are effective as NMDA NR2B antagonists and are useful for relieving pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John A. McCauley, Cory R. Theberge, Nigel J. Liverton, David A. Claremon, Christopher F. Claiborne
  • Patent number: 6316490
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a novel class of substituted aryl compounds (containing ether, ester, amide, ketone or thioether substitution) that promote the release of ligands involved in neurotransmission have been discovered. In a particular aspect, compounds of the present invention are capable of modulating acetylcholine receptors. The compounds of the present invention are capable of displacing one or more acetylcholine receptor ligands, e.g., 3H-nicotine, from mammalian neuronal membrane binding sites. Invention compounds may act as agonists, partial agonists, antagonists or allosteric modulators of acetylcholine receptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Vernier, Ian A. McDonald
  • Patent number: 6316066
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition essentially consisting of: a) a component MA comprising at least one achiral polymerizable mesogenic compound comprising at least one polymerizable functional group, b) a component MB comprising at least one chiral polymerizable mesogenic compound comprising at least one polymerizable functional group, c) a photoinitiator, and d) optionally a dye component, to anisotropic polymers and polymer films with a chiral mesophase obtainable from said thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition and to the use of said thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition, anisotropic polymers and polymer films for optical information storage, photomasks, decorative pigments, cosmetics, security applications, active and passive optical elements such as polarizers or optical retarders, color filters, scattering displays, adhesives or synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Emma Jolliffe, David Coates
  • Patent number: 6316437
    Abstract: Spirohydantoin compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts 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 typically 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: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob M. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6316468
    Abstract: 3-(Piperidin-4-yl)-1H-indole derivatives bearing an optionally substituted phenyl moiety at the 2-position of the indole ring system and an alkyl or aryl-alkyl substituent on the nitrogen atom of the piperndine ring are selective antagonists of the human 5-HT2A receptor. They are therefore useful as pharmaceutical agents, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of adverse conditions of the central nervous system, including psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert James Maxey, Michael Rowley, Monique Bodil Van Niel
  • Patent number: 6317648
    Abstract: An automated packaging line for filling large and small orders, of one or more bottles, each bottle filled with a respective one of a plurality of different pharmaceutical tablets, in a single run. An intelligent data carrying puck carries each bottle, including therein information describing, among others, the bottle, the customer, the order, the pharmaceutical, the bottle size and label information. Puck handling stations (PHS) are dispersed throughout the line, to verify a number of operations implemented on the line and to reject a puck at the earliest opportunity, while permitting subsequent rejection by a subsequent PHS. The PHS units are substantially identical, with DIP switch modifying operation of the controlling software thereof to implement different features at different points on the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Sleep, Andrew H. Proudfoot, Stephen Owen, Adrian Neil Bargh, Michael Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6313364
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of cyclopropaneacetylene by the two step process: (1) an alkylation of propiolic acid with a 1,3-disubstituted propane followed by a cycloalkylation to give a 3-cyclopropaneacetylene carboxylic acid; and (2) decarboxylation of 3-cyclopropaneacetylene carboxylic acid in the presence of copper catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Karel M. J. Brands