Patents by Inventor Merle G. Wovcha

Merle G. Wovcha 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).

  • Process for preparing an indenedione and a mycobacterium culture therefor
    Patent number: 4443541
    Abstract: A process for the microbiological conversion of steroids to (2+)-(7aS) 2,3,7,7-tetrahydro-7a-methyl-(1H)-indene-1,5(6H)-dione, hereinafter referred to as the indenedione.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: John C. Knight, Merle G. Wovcha
  • 24-Nor-1,4-choladiene-3,22-dione
    Patent number: 4431591
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel fermentation process for making the useful steroid intermediate 24-nor-1,4-choladiene-3,22-dione (I). Compound (I) can be converted to valuable corticoids by known methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Inventors: John C. Knight, Merle G. Wovcha
  • Process of producing 9-hydroxy-3-oxo-4,17(20)-pregnadiene-20-carboxylic acid
    Patent number: 4429041
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel one-stage fermentation process for making the useful steroid intermediate 9-hydroxy-3-oxo-4,17(20)-pregnadiene-20-carboxylic acid (I). This process is significantly superior to the best prior art process known for making (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, John C. Knight, Alfred B. Garcia
  • Composition of matter and process
    Patent number: 4425429
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel fermentation process for making the novel useful steroid intermediate 9-hydroxy-3-oxo-4,17(20)-pregnadiene-20-carboxyaldehyde (I). This compound can be used as in the synthesis of valuable corticoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: John C. Knight, Merle G. Wovcha
  • Composition of matter and process
    Patent number: 4423146
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel fermentation process for making the useful steroid intermediate 24-nor-1,4-choladiene-3,22-dione (I). Compound (I) can be converted to valuable corticoids by known methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: John C. Knight, Merle G. Wovcha
  • Composition of matter and process
    Patent number: 4405525
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel fermentation process for making the novel useful steroid intermediate 9-hydroxy-3-oxo-4,17(20)-pregnadiene-20-carboxyaldehyde (I). This compound can be used as in the synthesis of valuable corticoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: John C. Knight, Merle G. Wovcha
  • Mycobacterium fortuitum mutant
    Patent number: 4358538
    Abstract: Mutant which is used in a novel microbiological process to selectively transform steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to yield sole transformed product. AD is a valuable intermediate to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Kevin E. Brooks
  • Mycobacterium fortuitum mutant
    Patent number: 4345033
    Abstract: Mutant which is used in a novel microbiological process to selectively degrade steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to yield predominantly androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) and small amounts of androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD). AD is a valuable intermediate to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Candice B. Biggs, Thomas R. Pyke
  • Mycobacterium fortuitum mutant
    Patent number: 4345034
    Abstract: Mutant which is used in a novel microbiological process to selectively transform steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to yield androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) as essentially the sole transformed product. AD is a valuable intermediate to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Kevin E. Brooks
  • Mycobacterium phlei mutants convert sterols to androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and androsta-4-ene-3,17-dione
    Patent number: 4345029
    Abstract: Mutants which are used in a novel microbiological process to selectively degrade steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD) and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD). ADD and AD are valuable intermediates to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Candice B. Biggs
  • Microorganism mutant conversion of sterols to androsta-4-ene-3,17-dione
    Patent number: 4345030
    Abstract: Mutant which is used in a novel microbiological process to selectively degrade steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to yield predominantly androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) and small amounts of androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD). AD is a valuable intermediate to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Candice B. Biggs
  • Biologically pure culture of mutant mycobacterium
    Patent number: 4339539
    Abstract: Mutants which are used in a novel microbiological process to selectively degrade steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD) and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD). ADD and AD are valuable intermediates to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Candice B. Biggs, Thomas R. Pyke
  • Mycobacterium fortuitum strain
    Patent number: 4329432
    Abstract: Novel compounds prepared by microbial transformation using novel mutants to selectively degrade steroids with or without 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive. These compounds can be used as intermediates to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: John C. Knight, Merle G. Wovcha
  • Mycobacterium fortuitum strain
    Patent number: 4328315
    Abstract: Mutants which are used in a novel microbiological process to selectively degrade steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD) and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD). ADD and AD are valuable intermediates to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Candice B. Biggs, Thomas R. Pyke
  • Process for the microbial transformation of steroids
    Patent number: 4304860
    Abstract: Novel compounds prepared by microbial transformation using novel mutants to selectively degrade steroids with or without 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive. These compounds can be used as intermediates to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: John C. Knight, Merle G. Wovcha
  • Process for preparing androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione
    Patent number: 4293645
    Abstract: Mutants which are used in a novel microbiological process to selectively degrade steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD) and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD). ADD and AD are valuable intermediates to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Candice B. Biggs, Thomas R. Pyke
  • Process for preparing androst-4-ene-3,17-dione
    Patent number: 4293644
    Abstract: Mutant which is used in a novel microbiological process to selectively degrade steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to yield predominantly androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) and small amounts of androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD). AD is a valuable intermediate to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Candice B. Biggs
  • Composition of matter and process
    Patent number: 4293646
    Abstract: Mutant which is used in a novel microbiological process to selectively transform steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to yield androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) as essentially the sole transformed product. AD is a valuable intermediate to make useful steroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Kevin E. Brooks
  • Process for preparing 9.alpha.-OH BN alcohol
    Patent number: 4226936
    Abstract: Valuable steroid intermediates, 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-17.beta.-ol-3-one (9.alpha.-OH testosterone), 9.alpha.-hydroxy-3-ketobisnorchol-4-en-22-ol (9.alpha.-OH BN alcohol) and 9.alpha.-hydroxy-3-ketobisnorchol-4-en-22-oic methyl ester (9.alpha.-OH BN acid methyl ester), prepared by microbiological conversion of steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of 8 to 10 carbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Frederick J. Antosz, John M. Beaton, Alfred B. Garcia, Leo A. Kominek
  • Process for preparing 9.alpha.-OH BN acid methyl ester
    Patent number: 4223092
    Abstract: Valuable steroid intermediates, 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-17.beta.-ol-3-one (9.alpha.-OH testosterone), 9.alpha.-hydroxy-3-ketobisnorchol-4-en-22-ol (9.alpha.-OH BN alcohol) and 9.alpha.-hydroxy-3-ketobisnorchol-4-en-22-oic methyl ester (9.alpha.-OH BN acid methyl ester), prepared by microbiological conversion of steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of 8 to 10 carbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Merle G. Wovcha, Frederick J. Antosz, John M. Beaton, Alfred B. Garcia, Leo A. Kominek