Patents by Inventor Michael A. Winters

Michael A. Winters 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).

  • Patent number: 12144855
    Abstract: A method is described for producing a pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide protein conjugate in which one or more activated pneumococcal polysaccharides of particular pneumococcal serotypes and carrier protein are separately lyophilized in the form of lyospheres of carrier protein and lyospheres of the one or more polysaccharides. A predetermined amount of carrier protein lyospheres and activated polysaccharide lyospheres are mixed together and the mixture reconstituted in an organic solvent to produce polysaccharide carrier protein conjugates. A plurality of conjugates, each comprising polysaccharides of a particular serotype, may be used to produce multivalent pneumococcal immunogenic compositions having a combination of conjugates for use in vaccines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Leonard Ahl, Akhilesh Bhambhani, Christopher Jon Farrell, Patrick McHugh, Morrisa C. Jones, Daniel D. Roth, Jessica R. Sinacola, Justin Stanbro, Matthew P. Watson, Emily Wen, Michael A. Winters
  • Publication number: 20240261384
    Abstract: A method is described for producing a pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide protein conjugate in which one or more activated pneumococcal polysaccharides of particular pneumococcal serotypes and carrier protein are separately lyophilized, the separately lyophilized polysaccharides and carrier protein are separately reconstituted in an organic solvent, and the reconstituted polysaccharide and carrier protein are then combined together by Tee-mixing and conjugated together to produce polysaccharide carrier protein conjugates. A plurality of conjugates, each comprising polysaccharides of a particular serotype, may be used to produce multivalent pneumococcal immunogenic compositions having a combination of conjugates for use in vaccines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Leonard Ahl, Akhilesh Bhambhani, Christopher Jon Farrell, Patrick McHugh, Morrisa C. Jones, Daniel D. Roth, Jessica R. Sinacola, Justin Stanbro, Matthew P. Watson, Emily Wen, Michael A. Winters
  • Patent number: 11992521
    Abstract: A method is described for producing a pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide protein conjugate in which one or more activated pneumococcal polysaccharides of particular pneumococcal serotypes and carrier protein are separately lyophilized, the separately lyophilized polysaccharides and carrier protein are separately reconstituted in an organic solvent, and the reconstituted polysaccharide and carrier protein are then combined together by Tee-mixing and conjugated together to produce polysaccharide carrier protein conjugates. A plurality of conjugates, each comprising polysaccharides of a particular serotype, may be used to produce multivalent pneumococcal immunogenic compositions having a combination of conjugates for use in vaccines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Leonard Ahl, Akhilesh Bhambhani, Christopher Jon Farrell, Patrick McHugh, Morrisa C. Jones, Daniel D. Roth, Jessica R. Sinacola, Justin Stanbro, Matthew P. Watson, Emily Wen, Michael A. Winters
  • Patent number: 11896656
    Abstract: A method is described for reconstituting lyophilized mutant diphtheria toxin in dimethyl sulfoxide for use in producing pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide mutant diphtheria toxin conjugates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: MERCK SHARP & DOHME LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Leonard Ahl, Akhilesh Bhambhani, Christopher Jon Farrell, Patrick McHugh, Morrisa C. Jones, Daniel D. Roth, Jessica R. Sinacola, Justin Stanbro, Matthew P. Watson, Emily Wen, Michael A. Winters
  • Patent number: 11850278
    Abstract: The invention is related to multivalent immunogenic compositions comprising more than one S. pneumoniae polysaccharide protein conjugates, wherein each of the conjugates comprises a polysaccharide from an S. pneumoniae serotype conjugated to a carrier protein, wherein the serotypes of S. pneumoniae are as defined herein. In some embodiments, at least one of the polysaccharide protein conjugates is formed by a conjugation reaction comprising an aprotic solvent. In further embodiments, each of the polysaccharide protein conjugates is formed by a conjugation reaction comprising an aprotic solvent. Also provided are methods for inducing a protective immune response in a human patient comprising administering the multivalent immunogenic compositions of the invention to the patient. The multivalent immunogenic compositions are useful for providing protection against S. pneumoniae infection and diseases caused by S. pneumoniae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
    Inventors: William J. Smith, Patrick McHugh, Michael A. Winters, Julie M. Skinner, Jian He, Luwy Musey, Chitrananda Abeygunawardana, Yadong Adam Cui, Michael J. Kosinski
  • Publication number: 20230077640
    Abstract: A method is described for producing a pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide protein conjugate in which one or more activated pneumococcal polysaccharides of particular pneumococcal serotypes and carrier protein are separately lyophilized, the separately lyophilized polysaccharides and carrier protein are separately reconstituted in an organic solvent, and the reconstituted polysaccharide and carrier protein are then combined together by Tee-mixing and conjugated together to produce polysaccharide carrier protein conjugates. A plurality of conjugates, each comprising polysaccharides of a particular serotype, may be used to produce multivalent pneumococcal immunogenic compositions having a combination of conjugates for use in vaccines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Leonard Ahl, Akhilesh Bhambhani, Christopher Jon Farrell, Patrick McHugh, Morrisa C. Jones, Daniel D. Roth, Jessica R. Sinacola, Justin Stanbro, Matthew P. Watson, Emily Wen, Michael A. Winters
  • Publication number: 20230073288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Polysaccharide Size-Reduction Monitoring Methods useful for the non-invasive, and accurate monitoring of the progress of a polysaccharide size-reduction process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer C. P. Wang, Kelsey A. Richards, Jayesh Desai, Bhumit A. Patel, Michael A. Winters, Patrick M. McHugh, Philip R. Kuhl, John P. Higgins, Michael I. Larkin, Michelle H. Chen
  • Patent number: 11219680
    Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic compositions having one or more polysaccharide-protein conjugates in which polysaccharides obtained from bacterial capsules are conjugated to diphtheria toxin fragment B (DTFB) or a variant thereof. The immunogenic compositions may be multivalent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate compositions in which polysaccharides from one or more Steptococcus pneumoniae serotypes are conjugated to diphtheria toxin fragment B (DTFB) and, optionally, additional polysaccharides from one or more different Steptococcus pneumoniae serotypes are conjugated to one or more other carrier proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: John E. MacNair, Michael A. Winters, Thomas Svab, Sheng-Ching Wang, William J. Smith, Cecilia Giovarelli
  • Publication number: 20210379174
    Abstract: The invention is related to multivalent immunogenic compositions comprising more than one S. pneumoniae polysaccharide protein conjugates, wherein each of the conjugates comprises a polysaccharide from an S. pneumoniae serotype conjugated to a carrier protein, wherein the serotypes of S. pneumoniae are as defined herein. In some embodiments, at least one of the polysaccharide protein conjugates is formed by a conjugation reaction comprising an aprotic solvent. In further embodiments, each of the polysaccharide protein conjugates is formed by a conjugation reaction comprising an aprotic solvent. Also provided are methods for inducing a protective immune response in a human patient comprising administering the multivalent immunogenic compositions of the invention to the patient. The multivalent immunogenic compositions are useful for providing protection against S. pneumoniae infection and diseases caused by S. pneumoniae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: William J. Smith, Patrick McHugh, Michael A. Winters, Julie M. Skinner, Jian He, Luwy Musey, Chitrananda Abeygunawardana, Yadong Adam Cui, Michael J. Kosinski
  • Publication number: 20210330777
    Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic compositions having one or more polysaccharide-protein conjugates in which one or more polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial capsules are conjugated to a carrier protein in an aprotic solvent such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The present invention also provides methods for providing an enhanced immune response to a pneumococcal polysaccharide protein conjugate vaccine comprising administering to a human subject an immunogenic composition comprising polysaccharide-protein conjugates prepared in DMSO conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Jian He, John E. MacNair, William J. Smith, Michael A. Winters, Joseph G. Joyce, Chitrananda Abeygunawardana, Luwy Musey, Hari Pujar, Julie M. Skinner, Patrick McHugh
  • Publication number: 20210330778
    Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic compositions having one or more polysaccharide-protein conjugates in which one or more polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial capsules are conjugated to a carrier protein in an aprotic solvent such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The present invention also provides methods for providing an enhanced immune response to a pneumococcal polysaccharide protein conjugate vaccine comprising administering to a human subject an immunogenic composition comprising polysaccharide-protein conjugates prepared in DMSO conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Jian He, John E. MacNair, William J. Smith, Michael A. Winters, Joseph G. Joyce, Chitrananda Abeygunawardana, Luwy Musey, Hari Pujar
  • Publication number: 20210252125
    Abstract: A method is described for producing a pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide protein conjugate in which one or more activated pneumococcal polysaccharides of particular pneumococcal serotypes and carrier protein are separately lyophilized, the separately lyophilized polysaccharides and carrier protein are separately reconstituted in an organic solvent, and the reconstituted polysaccharide and carrier protein are then combined together by Tee-mixing and conjugated together to produce polysaccharide carrier protein conjugates. A plurality of conjugates, each comprising polysaccharides of a particular serotype, may be used to produce multivalent pneumococcal immunogenic compositions having a combination of conjugates for use in vaccines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Patrick Leonard Ahl, Akhilesh Bhambhani, Christopher Jon Farrell, Patrick McHugh, Morrisa C. Jones, Daniel D. Roth, Jessica R. Sinacola, Justin Stanbro, Matthew P. Watson, Emily Wen, Michael A. Winters
  • Publication number: 20210252126
    Abstract: A method is described for reconstituting lyophilized mutant diphtheria toxin in dimethyl sulfoxide for use in producing pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide mutant diphtheria toxin conjugates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Patrick Leonard Ahl, Akhilesh Bhambhani, Christopher Jon Farrell, Patrick McHugh, Morrisa C. Jones, Daniel D. Roth, Jessica R. Sinacola, Justin Stanbro, Matthew P. Watson, Emily Wen, Michael A. Winters
  • Patent number: 11090374
    Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic compositions having one or more polysaccharide-protein conjugates in which one or more polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial capsules are conjugated to a carrier protein in an aprotic solvent such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The present invention also provides methods for providing an enhanced immune response to a pneumococcal polysaccharide protein conjugate vaccine comprising administering to a human subject an immunogenic composition comprising polysaccharide-protein conjugates prepared in DMSO conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Jian He, John E. MacNair, William J. Smith, Michael A. Winters, Joseph G. Joyce, Chitrananda Abeygunawardana, Luwy Musey, Hari Pujar, Julie M. Skinner, Emily Wen, Patrick McHugh, John Michael Williams, Catherine Lancaster
  • Publication number: 20200061179
    Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic compositions having one or more polysaccharide-protein conjugates in which polysaccharides obtained from bacterial capsules are conjugated to diphtheria toxin fragment B (DTFB) or a variant thereof. The immunogenic compositions may be multivalent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate compositions in which polysaccharides from one or more Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes are conjugated to diphtheria toxin fragment B (DTFB) and, optionally, additional polysaccharides from one or more different Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes are conjugated to one or more other carrier proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: John E. MacNair, Michael A. Winters, Thomas Svab, Sheng-Ching Wang, William J. Smith, Cecilia Giovarelli
  • Publication number: 20200061542
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for preparing polysaccharide protein conjugates utilizing surfactants to improve filterability of the conjugation reaction mixture. The polysaccharide-protein conjugates are useful for inclusion in vaccines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Michael A. Winters, Patrick McHugh, Kyle Evans, Jian He, Josef Vlasak, Willam J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200054733
    Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic compositions having one or more polysaccharide-protein conjugates in which one or more polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial capsules are conjugated to a carrier protein in an aprotic solvent such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The present invention also provides methods for providing an enhanced immune response to a pneumococcal polysaccharide protein conjugate vaccine comprising administering to a human subject an immunogenic composition comprising polysaccharide-protein conjugates prepared in DMSO conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Jian He, John E. MacNair, William J. Smith, Michael A. Winters, Joseph G. Joyce, Chitrananda Abeygunawardana, Luwy Musey, Hari Pujar, Julie M. Skinner, Emily Wen, Patrick McHugh, John Michael Williams, Catherine Lancaster
  • Patent number: 6348673
    Abstract: A heated roof valley device for melting ice and snow accumulating on a roof valley including a generally “V”-shaped lower casing and a corresponding “V”-shaped cover positioned in spaced-apart relation to the lower casing. An electrical heating element positioned in the space between the lower casing and the cover, and a moisture sealing device for preventing moisture in the roof valley from entering the space between the lower casing and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Michael A. Winters
  • Publication number: 20010032834
    Abstract: A heated roof valley device for melting ice and snow accumulating on a roof valley including a generally “V”-shaped lower casing and a corresponding “V”-shaped cover positioned in spaced-apart relation to the lower casing. An electrical heating element positioned in the space between the lower casing and the cover, and a moisture sealing device for preventing moisture in the roof valley from entering the space between the lower casing and the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Michael A. Winters
  • Patent number: 4149568
    Abstract: A double walled fuel line for use with fuel injection engines including first and second, nominally concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween. both of the tubes are bendable on conventional tube bending equipment and the innermost tube mounts fittings for connection into a fuel injection system. An additional fitting associated with the outermost tube establishes fluid communication to the annular space between the tubes for venting leaking fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Donald A. Kuntz, Michael A. Winters