Patents by Inventor Akhilesh Bhambhani

Akhilesh Bhambhani 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).

  • Publication number: 20190383556
    Abstract: Methods for preparing dried pellets of biological materials are described. The pellets can have a substantially spherical shape and are prepared by freezing droplets of a liquid composition of a desired biological material on a solid surface followed by microwave vacuum drying the frozen droplets. These methods are useful for preparing dried pellets having a high concentration of a desired biological material, in particular a therapeutic protein or vaccine, and which have a faster reconstitution time than lyophilized powder cakes prepared in vials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Bhambhani, Robert K. Evans, Jessica Sinacola, Rebecca Lizzano
  • Patent number: 10429129
    Abstract: Methods for preparing dried pellets of biological materials are described. The pellets can have a substantially spherical shape and are prepared by freezing droplets of a liquid composition of a desired biological material on a solid surface followed by microwave vacuum drying the frozen droplets. These methods are useful for preparing dried pellets having a high concentration of a desired biological material, in particular a therapeutic protein or vaccine, and which have a faster reconstitution time than lyophilized powder cakes prepared in vials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Bhambhani, Robert K. Evans, Jessica Sinacola, Rebecca Lizzano
  • Patent number: 10369213
    Abstract: Methods for improving the drying yield and stability of RSV vaccines comprising a highly thermolabile enveloped live virus and/or one or more RSV protein subunits, are described. Methods for rapid drying of RSV formulations containing between 17.5% and 60% w/w of a non-polymeric sugar and using either conduction or radiation dominant drying mechanisms, are disclosed. The disclosed methods provide for; 1) a dried RSV formulation with improved stability profile; 2) faster drying; and 3) integration of dried RSV into a primary device (such as dual chamber cartridges, foil-pouch devices etc.), pre- as well as post-drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Bhambhani, Robert K. Evans, Lynne A. Isopi
  • Patent number: 10183968
    Abstract: Methods for preparing lyophilized pellets of biological materials are described. The pellets have a substantially spherical shape and are prepared by freezing droplets of a liquid composition of a desired biological material on a flat, solid surface, in particular, a surface that does not have any cavities, followed by lyophilizing the frozen droplets. These methods are useful for preparing lyophilized pellets having a high concentration of a desired biological material, in particular a therapeutic protein or vaccine, and which have a faster reconstitution time than lyophilized powder cakes prepared in vials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Colleen Barr, Akhilesh Bhambhani, Robert Evans, Lynne Isopi, David Krah, Jennifer Kriss, Jessica Sinacola
  • Publication number: 20180311172
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing enterically-coated lyospheres comprising a therapeutic agent comprising: a.) providing lyospheres comprising the therapeutic agent; b.) coating said lyospheres with an enteric polymer coating composition; and c.) isolating said enterically-coated lyospheres. In other embodiments, the invention provides dosage forms comprising a lyosphere comprising an effective amount of a therapeutic agent and an enteric polymer coating. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent in the process or dosage form is a polypeptide, a protein, a peptide, a lipopeptide, a glycoprotein, a fusion protein, a protein conjugate, a cytokine, an enzyme, an antibody, an oligonucleotide, a vaccine vector, small molecule, a live virus, an inactivated virus, a virus-like particle, a viral protein subunit, an adjuvant, microbiome, a prebiotic, a probiotic, or an ectobiotic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Bhambhani, Robert K. Evans, Pranav Gupta, Ronald L. Smith, Donna M. Williams
  • Patent number: 9782470
    Abstract: This present invention relates to compositions and methods for stabilizing a dried vaccine formulations. In particular, the invention provides a method for producing a vaccine composition comprising the steps of providing an aqueous composition comprising a buffer, the vaccine components and between 17.5% w/w and 60% w/w of a non-polymeric sugar, freezing the composition, and applying microwave radiation under a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure in order to sublimate the composition and obtain a dried vaccine formulation. The invention also provides a product obtainable by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Bhambhani, Robert K. Evans, Jessica Sinacola, Morrisa Jones
  • Publication number: 20170157238
    Abstract: The invention provides human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen formulations which show increased antigen stability. More specifically, the invention provides stable HPV formulations comprising HPV virus-like particles (VLPs) bound to an aluminum salt adjuvant and further comprise a combination of sucrose and mannitol. The vaccine formulations of the invention are stable following freeze-thaw and freeze-drying. Also provided are lyophilized and frozen HPV vaccine formulations comprising HPV VLPs of at least one HPV type adsorbed onto an aluminum salt adjuvant, sucrose, and mannitol. Methods of making the stable vaccine formulations of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Ramesh V. Chintala, Akhilesh Bhambhani
  • Publication number: 20160375133
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions comprising a high concentration of therapeutic protein or antibody prior to lyophilization, wherein the lyophilized formulation can be reconstituted with a diluent in about 15 minutes or less. The invention also relates to the high concentration lyophilized formulations produced by the methods described herein. The lyophilized formulations produced by the methods of the invention are stable and are suitable for veterinary and human medical use and are suitable for modes of administration including oral, pulmonary and parenteral, such as intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous injection. Also provided by the invention are high concentration pharmaceutical compositions that have long term stability and can be reconstituted, following lyophilization, in a short period of time, preferably 15 minutes or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Bhambhani, Brian K. Meyer, Jeffrey T. Blue
  • Publication number: 20160250319
    Abstract: Methods for improving the drying yield and stability of RSV vaccines comprising a highly thermolabile enveloped live virus and/or one or more RSV protein subunits, are described. Methods for rapid drying of RSV formulations containing between 17.5% and 60% w/w of a non-polymeric sugar and using either conduction or radiation dominant drying mechanisms, are disclosed. The disclosed methods provide for; 1) a dried RSV formulation with improved stability profile; 2) faster drying; and 3) integration of dried RSV into a primary device (such as dual chamber cartridges, foil-pouch devices etc.), pre- as well as post-drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Bhambhani, Robert K. Evans, Lynne A. Isopi
  • Publication number: 20160252300
    Abstract: Methods for preparing dried pellets of biological materials are described. The pellets can have a substantially spherical shape and are prepared by freezing droplets of a liquid composition of a desired biological material on a solid surface followed by microwave vacuum drying the frozen droplets. These methods are useful for preparing dried pellets having a high concentration of a desired biological material, in particular a therapeutic protein or vaccine, and which have a faster reconstitution time than lyophilized powder cakes prepared in vials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Bhambhani, Robert K. Evans, Jessica Sinacola, Rebecca Lizzano
  • Publication number: 20160228532
    Abstract: This present invention relates to compositions and methods for stabilizing a dried vaccine formulations. In particular, the invention provides a method for producing a vaccine composition comprising the steps of providing an aqueous composition comprising a buffer, the vaccine components and between 17.5% w/w and 60% w/w of a non-polymeric sugar, freezing the composition, and applying microwave radiation under a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure in order to sublimate the composition and obtain a dried vaccine formulation. The invention also provides a product obtainable by this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Bhambhani, Robert K. Evans, Jessica Sinacola, Morrisa Jones
  • Publication number: 20150307606
    Abstract: Methods for preparing lyophilized pellets of antibodies that specifically bind to human IL-23 are described. The pellets have a substantially spherical shape and are prepared by freezing droplets of a liquid composition of a desired biological material on a flat, solid surface, in particular, a surface that does not have any cavities, followed by lyophilizing the frozen droplets. These methods are useful for preparing lyophilized pellets having a high concentration of anti-IL-23 antibody, and which have a faster reconstitution time than lyophilized powder cakes prepared in vials. Also provided are improved formulations for use in preparing lyophilized forms of antibodies that specifically bind to human IL-23.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Ashwin Basarkar, Akhilesh Bhambhani, Ramesh Kashi, Shona P. Mehta
  • Publication number: 20140294872
    Abstract: Methods for preparing lyophilized pellets of biological materials are described. The pellets have a substantially spherical shape and are prepared by freezing droplets of a liquid composition of a desired biological material on a flat, solid surface, in particular, a surface that does not have any cavities, followed by lyophilizing the frozen droplets. These methods are useful for preparing lyophilized pellets having a high concentration of a desired biological material, in particular a therapeutic protein or vaccine, and which have a faster reconstitution time than lyophilized powder cakes prepared in vials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Colleen Barr, Akhilesh Bhambhani, Robert Evans, Lynne Isopi, David Krah, Jennifer Kriss, Jessica Sinacola
  • Publication number: 20140127260
    Abstract: The invention provides human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen formulations which show increased antigen stability. More specifically, the invention provides stable HPV formulations comprising HPV virus-like particles (VLPs) bound to an aluminum salt adjuvant and further comprise a combination of sucrose and mannitol. The vaccine formulations of the invention are stable following freeze-thaw and freeze-drying. Also provided are lyophilized and frozen HPV vaccine formulations comprising HPV VLPs of at least one HPV type adsorbed onto an aluminum salt adjuvant, sucrose, and mannitol. Methods of making the stable vaccine formulations of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Ramesh V. Chintala, Akhilesh Bhambhani
  • Publication number: 20120121580
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions comprising a high concentration of therapeutic protein or antibody prior to lyophilization, wherein the lyophilized formulation can be reconstituted with a diluent in about 15 minutes or less. The invention also relates to the high concentration lyophilized formulations produced by the methods described herein. The lyophilized formulations produced by the methods of the invention are stable and are suitable for veterinary and human medical use and are suitable for modes of administration including oral, pulmonary and parenteral, such as intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous injection. Also provided by the invention are high concentration pharmaceutical compositions that have long term stability and can be reconstituted, following lyophilization, in a short period of time, preferably 15 minutes or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Bhambhani, Brian K. Meyer, Jeffrey T. Blue