Merck + Co., Inc.

William A Hanlon

Richard A Mumford

John L Humes

Wilson B Knight

Malcolm MacCoss

William K Hagmann

Shrenik K Shah

Paul E Finke

N-substituted azetidinones are a class of inhibitors of human leukocytes elastase which are known to be useful in the treatment of a wide variety of antiinflammatory and antidegenerative diseases. In inhibiting elastase, the therapeutic agents are shown to form a characteristic stable complex with the enzyme. In the assay disclosed herein, the inhibitor-enzyme complex is advantageously hydrolyzed and specific product(s) of the hydrolysis are measured. The assays are useful in a clinical setting, for determining appropriate dosage and assessing the effectiveness of treatment.

Assay for evaluating inhibition of polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase

Assay for evaluating inhibition of PMN elastase by N-substituted

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Lebanon, NJ, United States of America

William A Hanlon