Claims for Patent: 5,952,323

Summary for Patent: 5,952,323

Title:	Carbapenem antibiotic
Abstract:	A pharmaceutical composition is disclosed which contains a compound of formula I: ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug or hydrate thereof, in the stabilized form and/or in combination with a carbon dioxide source.
Inventor(s):	Zimmerman; Jeffrey A. (Chalfont, PA), Williams; John M. (Belle Mead, NJ), Bergquist; Paul A. (Collegeville, PA), DiMichele; Lisa M. (Berkeley Heights, NJ), DuBost; David C. (Collegeville, PA), Kaufman; Michael J. (New Hope, PA), Sidler; Daniel R. (Whitehouse Station, NJ), Hunke; William A. (Harleysville, PA)
Assignee:	Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ)
Application Number:	09/064,426
Patent Claims:	1. A compound represented by the formula II: ##STR8## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug or hydrate thereof. 2. A pharmaceutical composition which is comprised of a compound represented by formula II: ##STR9## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug or hydrate thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 3. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR10## wherein X.sup.+ represents a pharmaceutically acceptable cationic group. 4. A method of stabilizing a carbapenem of the formula I: ##STR11## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug or hydrate thereof, comprising adding to the compound a sufficient amount of a carbon dioxide source to form a compound of formula II: ##STR12## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug or hydrate thereof. 5. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the carbon dioxide source is selected from carbon dioxide, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. 6. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein the carbon dioxide source is selected from sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.