Patents by Inventor Robert L. LaFemina

Robert L. LaFemina 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: 20140309412
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof which are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase. These compounds are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and are useful for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection. They are particularly useful as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase, as inhibitors of HCV replication, and/or for the treatment of hepatitis C infection. The invention also describes pharmaceutical compositions containing such nucleoside compounds alone or in combination with other agents active against RNA-dependent RNA viral infection, in particular HCV infection. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, and/or treating RNA-dependent RNA viral infection with the nucleoside compounds of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Balkrishen Bhat, Anne B. El drup, Thazha P. Prakash, Phillip Dan Cook, Robert L. LaFemina, Amy L. Simcoe, Carrie A. Rutkowski, Mario A. Valenciano
  • Patent number: 8481712
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof which are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase. These compounds are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and are useful for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection. They are particularly useful as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase, as inhibitors of HCV replication, and/or for the treatment of hepatitis C infection. The invention also describes pharmaceutical compositions containing such nucleoside compounds alone or in combination with other agents active against RNA-dependent RNA viral infection, in particular HCV infection. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, and/or treating RNA-dependent RNA viral infection with the nucleoside compounds of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., ISIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Balkrishen Bhat, Anne B. Eldrup, Thazha P. Prakash, Phillip Dan Cook, Robert L. LaFemina, Amy L. Simcoe, Carrie A. Rutkowski, Mario A. Valenciano
  • Patent number: 8354518
    Abstract: The present invention features methods for enhancing the ability of a genotype 2b NS5B sequence to function in a replicon, for producing replicons containing a functional genotype 2b NS5B, and for using replicons to measure the ability of a compound to affect HCV replication that is sustained with the genotype 2b polymerase. Also featured is a genotype 1b NS4B adaptive mutation. The ability to produce replicons containing a functional genotype 2b NS5B is illustrated by the production of chimeric replicons based on HCV genotype 1b where substantially all the NS5B sequence is replaced with a genotype 2b NS5B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignees: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Istituto di Richerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti S.p.A.
    Inventors: Steven W. Ludmerer, Donald J. Graham, Robert L. LaFemina, Osvaldo A. Flores, Maura Pizzuti, Cinzia Traboni
  • Publication number: 20120165515
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof which are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase. These compounds are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and are useful for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection. They are particularly useful as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase, as inhibitors of HCV replication, and/or for the treatment of hepatitis C infection. The invention also describes pharmaceutical compositions containing such nucleoside compounds alone or in combination with other agents active against RNA-dependent RNA viral infection, in particular HCV infection. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, and/or treating RNA-dependent RNA viral infection with the nucleoside compounds of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Balkrishen Bhat, Anne B. Eldrup, Thazha P. Prakash, Phillip Dan Cook, Robert L. LaFemina, Amy L. Simcoe, Carrie A. Rutkowski, Mario A. Valenciano
  • Publication number: 20110250628
    Abstract: The present invention features methods for enhancing the ability of a genotype 2b NS5B sequence to function in a replicon, for producing replicons containing a functional genotype 2b NS5B, and for using replicons to measure the ability of a compound to affect HCV replication that is sustained with the genotype 2b polymerase. Also featured is a genotype 1b NS4B adaptive mutation. The ability to produce replicons containing a functional genotype 2b NS5B is illustrated by the production of chimeric replicons based on HCV genotype 1b where substantially all the NS5B sequence is replaced with a genotype 2b NS5B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Steven W. Ludmerer, Donald J. Graham, Robert L. Lafemina, Osvaldo A. Flores, Maura Pizzuti, Cinzia Traboni
  • Patent number: 7569374
    Abstract: The present invention features NS5B polypeptides from different clinically important HCV genotypes. The polypeptides can be used individually, or as part of a panel of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, to evaluate the effectiveness of a compound to inhibit NS5B activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Graham, Amy L. Simcoe, Steven W. Ludmerer, Osvaldo A. Flores, Robert L. LaFemina
  • Publication number: 20080187903
    Abstract: The present invention features NS5B polypeptides from different clinically important HCV genotypes. The polypeptides can be used individually, or as part of a panel of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, to evaluate the effectiveness of a compound to inhibit NS5B activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Donald J. Graham, Amy L. Simcoe, Steven W. Ludmerer, Osvaldo A. Flores, Robert L. LaFemina
  • Patent number: 7329732
    Abstract: The present invention features NS5B polypeptides from different clinically important HCV genotypes. The polypeptides can be used individually, or as part of a panel of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, to evaluate the effectiveness of a compound to inhibit NS5B activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Graham, Amy L. Simcoe, Steven W. Ludmerer, Osvaldo A. Flores, Robert L. LaFemina
  • Patent number: 7323453
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of inhibiting orthopoxvirus replication and/or treating orthopoxvirus infection with certain nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof. These compounds are particularly useful as inhibitors of vaccinia virus and variola virus replication and/or for the treatment of vaccinia virus and variola virus infection. The nucleoside compounds may be administered alone or in combination with other agents active against orthopoxvirus infection, in particular against vaccinia virus or variola virus infection. Another aspect of the present invention provides for the use of such nucleoside compounds in the manufacture of a medicament for the inhibition of orthopoxvirus replication and/or for the treatment of orthopoxvirus infection. Yet a further aspect of the present invention provides such nucleoside compounds for use as a medicament for the inhibition of orthopoxvirus replication and/or for the treatment of orthopoxvirus infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignees: Merck & Co., Inc., Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Olsen, Robert L. LaFemina, Anne B. Eldrup, Sanjib Bera
  • Publication number: 20040110717
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleoside derivatives which are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase. These compounds are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and are useful for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection. They are particularly useful as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase, as inhibitors of HCV replication, and/or for the treatment of hepatitis C infection. The invention also describes pharmaceutical compositions containing such nucleoside derivatives alone or in combination with other agents active against RNA-dependent RNA viral infection, in particular HCV infection. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, and/or treating RNA-dependent RNA viral infection with the nucleoside derivatives of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Steven S. Carroll, Robert L. LaFemina, Dawn L. Hall, Amy L. Himmelberger, Lawrence C. Kuo, David B. Olsen, Carrie A. Rutkowski, Joanne E. Tomassini, Malcolm MacCoss, Haoyun An, Balkrishen Bhat, Neelima Bhat, Phillip Dan Cook, Anne B. Eldrup, Thazha P. Prakash, Marija Prhavc, Charles J. Guinosso
  • Publication number: 20040072788
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof which are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase. These compounds are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and are useful for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection. They are particularly useful as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase, as inhibitors of HCV replication, and/or for the treatment of hepatitis C infection. The invention also describes pharmaceutical compositions containing such nucleoside compounds alone or in combination with other agents active against RNA-dependent RNA viral infection, in particular HCV infection. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, and/or treating RNA-dependent RNA viral infection with the nucleoside compounds of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Balkrishen Bhat, Anne B. Eldrup, Thazha P. Prakash, Phillip Dan Cook, Robert L. LaFemina, Amy L. Simcoe, Carrie A. Rutkowski, Mario A. Valenciano