Patents by Inventor Karen Kulju McKee

Karen Kulju McKee 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).

  • Cloning and identification of the motilin receptor
    Patent number: 7179886
    Abstract: The motilin receptor has been isolated and cloned, and nucleic acid sequences are given. Two spice variants have been identified. Also, assays for motilin receptor ligands are given. The identification of the cloned motilin receptor may be used to screen and identify compounds which bind to the receptor for use in a variety of gastric conditions, including gastric motility disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Feighner, Arthur A. Patchett, Carina Tan, Karen Kulju McKee, Douglas MacNeil, Andrew D. Howard, Sheng-Shung Pong, Roy G. Smith
  • Mouse growth hormone secretagogue receptor
    Patent number: 6682908
    Abstract: A mouse growth hormone secretagogue receptor has been isolated, cloned and sequenced. This receptor is characteristic of the G-protein family of receptors. Mouse growth hormone secretagogue receptors may be used to screen and identify compoumds which bind to the mouse growth hormone secretagogue receptor. Such compounds may be used in the treatment of conditions which occur when there is a shortage of growth hormone, such as observed in growth hormone deficient children, elderly patients with musculoskeletal impairment and those recovering from hip fracture and osteoporosis. Targeted disruption of the mouse GHS-R gene may prove useful in elucidation of the mechanism of action and role of the growth hormone secretagogues in human and animal physiology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Roy G. Smith, Leonardus H. T. Van der Ploeg, Andrew D. Howard, Hui Zheng, Karen Kulju McKee, Michael M. Jiang
  • Growth hormone secretagogue related receptors and nucleic acids
    Patent number: 6599718
    Abstract: This invention relates to a new family of receptors, growth hormone secretagogue-related receptors, which exhibit moderate sequence identity to both the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) and the neurotensin receptor (NT-R). These newly identified receptors are expressed in a diverse set of tissues. This invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding these receptors, and to the use of these receptors to identify ligands that modulate growth hormone release as well as other modulators of endocrine function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Qingyun Liu, Andrew D. Howard, Karen Kulju McKee