Merck + Co., Inc.

Merck Sharp + Dohme Corp.

Paul M Keller

Ronald W Ellis

Robert S Lowe

Andrew J Davison

Thomas M Connolly

Joseph G Joyce

Mark W Riemen

Beth A Arnold

Anthony J Conley

Kathrin Ute Jansen

Victor M Garsky

Chitrananda Abeygunawardana

Gene G Kinney

John W Shiver

Xiaoping Liang

James C Cook, Iii

Alan R Shaw

Lloyd H Waxman

Leslie Cope

Charlotte C Ip

Jwu-Sheng Tung

Lynn J Boots

Keith Roper

Qiuwei Xu

Robert W Hepler

Craig T Przysiecki

Karen M Grimm

Gene Kinney

The invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of diseases associated with amyloid deposits of A&#x3b2; in the brain of a patient, such as Alzheimer's disease. Such methods entail administering an immunogenic fragment of A&#x3b2;, lacking a T-cell epitope, capable of inducing a beneficial immune response in the form of antibodies to A&#x3b2;. In another aspect, the immunogenic fragment of A&#x3b2; is capable of elevating plasma A&#x3b2; levels. The immunogenic fragments comprise linear or multivalent peptides of A&#x3b2;. Pharmaceutical compositions comprise the immunogenic fragment chemically linked to a carrier molecule which may be administered with an adjuvant.

Peptide conjugate compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of alzheimer's disease

A high molecular weight polysaccharide intracellular adhesin (SAE) antigen having the general structure of poly-1,6,&#x3b2;-2-amidoglucopyranoside, which is variable substituted with N-acetyl and O-succinyl substituents is described. Also, a method is given for isolating this antigen from. The SAE can be used in a vaccine, either alone, conjugated to an immunogenic protein, and/or with an immunogenic adjuvant.

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A process of purifying target molecules is described that involves the selection of ligands based on identifying, in real time, association and dissociation constants with a given target molecule; using this information to select at least one ligand that exhibit predetermined association and dissociation constants with a given target molecule; anchoring a quantity of ligand to an activated solid support; contacting a quantity of target molecules with the anchored ligand(s); removing low affinity target molecules from anchored ligand and eluting particularly pure target molecules.

Large scale affinity chromatography of macromolecules

Immunological conjugates of HIV-specific selected principal neutralization epitopes are prepared. These epitopes bind 19b, a broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibody specific for the HIV gp120. The epitopes are identified from oligopeptide epitope libraries. The conjugates are useful for vaccination against AIDS or ARC, as well as in the production of other HIV-specific broadly neutralizing antibodies for passive immunity against AIDS or ARC.

HIV-specific synthetic antigens and their use

A protein which inhibits collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 17,000. A method of isolating the protein from Ornithodoros moubata and using the protein to prevent or delay blood coagulation by blocking the stimulation of platelet aggregation by collagen is also described. The protein is useful in the prevention, prophylaxis, therapy and treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Protein for inhibiting collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation

A protein isolated from crude Haementeria officinalis extract which blocks stimulation of platelet aggregation by collagen. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 16,000. A method of isolating the protein and using the protein to prevent or delay blood coagulation by blocking the stimulation of platelet aggregation by collagen is also described. The protein is useful in the prevention, prophylaxis, therapy and treatment of thrombotic diseases.

A gene of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which encodes immunogenic outer surface viral proteins has been identified by DNA sequence analysis. Antibodies directed against peptides imputed from the DNA sequence can react with the glycoprotein, which itself is reactive with neutralizing antibodies. The amino-terminal sequence of the purified glycoprotein is identical to a portion of the amino acid sequence imputed from the DNA sequence. This glycoprotein is useful for the preparation of a vaccine against VZV.

DNA encoding immunogenic gpIII glycoprotein of varicella-zoster virus

Vaccine against varicella-zoster virus

A gene of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which encodes immunogenic outer surface viral proteins has been identified by DNA sequence analysis. This gene can hybrid select messenger RNA which encodes and expresses a protein which reacts with human convalescent zoster sera and with polyclonal monospecific antisera which neutralize viral infectivity. These proteins are useful for the preparation of a vaccine for VZV.

A gene of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which encodes immunogenic outer surface viral proteins has been identified through DNA sequence analysis. Fragments of the DNA have been cloned into a vector which, when placed into a host organism, expresses proteins which react with human convalescent zoster sera and with monoclonal antibodies which neutralize viral infectivity. These proteins are useful for preparation of a vaccine for VZV.

A gene of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which encodes immunogenic outer surface viral proteins has been identified by DNA sequence analysis. This gene can hybrid select messenger RNA which encodes and expresses a protein which reacts with human canvalescent zoster sera and with polyclonal monospecific antisera which neutralize viral infectivity. These proteins are useful for the preparation of a vaccine for VZV.

Growing community of inventors

Lansdale, PA, United States of America

Paul M Keller