Patents by Inventor Robert H. Pierce

Robert H. Pierce 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: 9709568
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides isolated antibodies that specifically bind to human PD-L1, as well as antigen binding fragments of such antibodies, and kits comprising the anti-PD-L1 antibodies or binding fragments and a set of reagents for detecting a complex of the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, bound to human PD-L1. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments of this disclosure are useful for immunohistochemical detection of human PD-L1 expression in tissue samples. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies and antigen binding fragments of this disclosure, as well as expression vectors and host cells for expression thereof, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Robert H. Pierce, Patricia Bourne, Linda Liang, Michael Bigler
  • Publication number: 20160312295
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes gene signature biomarkers that are useful for identifying cancer patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment with a PD-1 antagonist. The disclosure also provides methods and kits for testing tumor samples for the biomarkers, as well as methods for treating subjects with a PD-1 antagonist based on the test results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Mark Ayers, Andrey Loboda, Jared Lunceford, Terrill K. McClanahan, Erin Murphy, Michael Nebozhyn, Robert H. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20160312297
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes PD-L1 gene signature biomarkers that are useful for identifying cancer patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment with a PD-1 antagonist. The disclosure also provides methods and kits for testing tumor samples for the biomarkers, as well as methods for treating subjects with a PD-1 antagonist based on the test results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Mark Ayers, Andrey Loboda, Jared Lunceford, Terrill K. McClanahan, Erin Murphy, Michael Nebozhyn, Robert H. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20160304969
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes IFN-? gene signature biomarkers that are useful for identifying cancer patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment with a PD-1 antagonist. The disclosure also provides methods and kits for testing tumor samples for the biomarkers, as well as methods for treating subjects with a PD-1 antagonist based on the test results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Mark Ayers, Andrey Loboda, Jared Lunceford, Terrill K. McClanahan, Erin Murphy, Michael Nebozhyn, Robert H. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20160305947
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an IHC assay for detecting and quantifying spatially proximal pairs of PD-1-expressing cells (PD-1+ cells) and PD-Ligand-expressing cells (PD-L+ cells) in tumor tissue, and the use of the assay to generate proximity biomarkers that are predictive of which cancer patients are most likely to benefit from treatment with a PD-1 antagonist. The disclosure also provides methods for testing tumor samples for the proximity biomarkers, as well as methods for treating subjects with a PD-1 antagonist based on the test results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Robert H. Pierce, Jennifer H. Yearley, Scott P. Turner, Belma Dogdas, Ansuman Bagchi
  • Publication number: 20160130574
    Abstract: Improved methods of measuring gene expression in intracellularly immunostained FACS-sorted cell populations are provided. Exemplary methods involve fixing cells with formalin and permeabilizing with mild detergent in the presence of ribonucleoside vanadyl complex prior to FACS sorting, followed by RNA extraction in the presence of de-crosslinking agents. The resulting RNA is suitable for gene expression analysis. The method allows for analysis of the gene expression pattern specifically associated with any sortable cell population or subpopulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Svetlana Sadekova, Robert H. Pierce, Bela Desai
  • Publication number: 20160084839
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides processes for describing and quantifying the expression of human programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in tumor tissue sections as detected by immunohistochemical assay using an antibody that specifically binds to PD-L1. The results generated using these processes have a variety of experimental, diagnostic and prognostic applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Marisa Dolled-Filhart, Kenneth Emancipator, JR., Frank Lynch, Robert H. Pierce, Dianna Wu
  • Publication number: 20150355184
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides isolated antibodies that specifically bind to human PD-L1, as well as antigen binding fragments of such antibodies, and kits comprising the anti-PD-L1 antibodies or binding fragments and a set of reagents for detecting a complex of the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, bound to human PD-L1. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments of this disclosure are useful for immunohistochemical detection of human PD-L1 expression in tissue samples. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies and antigen binding fragments of this disclosure, as well as expression vectors and host cells for expression thereof, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Robert H. Pierce, Patricia Bourne, Linda Liang, Michael Bigler
  • Patent number: 8252846
    Abstract: The present invention provides biodegradable particles (e.g., three-dimensional particles) and micelles which can be used to encapsulate active agents for delivering to a subject. The present invention further provides methods for producing and delivering such particles and micelles. Additionally, the invention provides vaccination strategies that encompass the use of the novel particles and micelles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Emory University, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, University of Rochester
    Inventors: Niren Murthy, Bali Pulendran, Robert H. Pierce, Michael John Heffernan, Jihua Hao, Marcin Kwissa, Michael Davis, Stephen C. Yang
  • Publication number: 20100062968
    Abstract: The present invention provides biodegradable particles (e.g., three-dimensional particles) and micelles which can be used to encapsulate active agents for delivering to a subject. The present invention further provides methods for producing and delivering such particles and micelles. Additionally, the invention provides vaccination strategies that encompass the use of the novel particles and micelles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Bali Pulendran, Niren Murthy, Robert H. Pierce, Michael John Heffernan, Jihua Hao, Marcin Kwissa
  • Publication number: 20090011993
    Abstract: The present invention provides biodegradable particles (e.g., three-dimensional particles) and micelles which can be used to encapsulate active agents for delivering to a subject. The present invention further provides methods for producing and delivering such particles and micelles. Additionally, the invention provides vaccination strategies that encompass the use of the novel particles and micelles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Niren Murthy, Bali Pulendran, Robert H. Pierce, Michael John Heffernan, Jihua Hao, Marcin Kwissa, Michael Davis, Stephen C. Yang
  • Publication number: 20020090363
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are helminth-based medical devices for sustained delivery of bioactive agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Jonathan David Kurtis, Robert H. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4821804
    Abstract: An offshore fixed platform support column assembly for deep water hydrocarbon development and production systems comprises an elongated cylindrical composite column which extends upward from a base assembly made up of a central cylindrical reinforced concrete caisson and one or more clusters of cylindrical reinforced concrete storage tanks to a point just below the sea surface. The column is made up of members having wound filament-resin composite cylindrical walls coupled end to end by coupling members which transmit tensile, bending and compressive loads between a platform structure supported at the upper end of the column assembly and the base assembly. The column members may include outer reinforced plastic shells forming buoyancy chambers which are filled with an expanded foam plastic buoyancy material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: Robert H. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4634314
    Abstract: Tubular marine riser sections are formed by a wound or woven filament-resin matrix tubular body having a modulus of elasticity in tension of about 27,000,000 psi or greater utilizing carbon or boron for the filament material. The riser sections may be provided with end couplings secured to the tubular body for forming a riser system wherein the tensile strength or load bearing capacity of each section and its hydrostatic collapse resistance may be selectively determined by its position in the riser system. The riser sections may be provided with cylindrical collapse resisting ribs defining spaced buoyancy chambers filled with low density material contained by an outer shell formed of a glass or aramid fiber-resin matrix composite having a lower modulus of elasticity in tension than the primary load bearing tubular member. An inner abrasion and fluid impervious sleeve is disposed within the tubular body but is not bonded thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Vetco Offshore Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Pierce