Patents by Inventor Fred Hofmann

Fred Hofmann 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: 20160030511
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the pharmaceutical field. Specifically, it contemplates a polynucleotide encoding a Neurotoxin polypeptide exhibiting a reduced duration of biological effect in a subject, wherein the polypeptide comprises at least one degradation signal in the light chain as well as vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide, polypeptides encoded thereby and antibodies specifically binding to the polypeptides. Moreover, the invention relates to medicaments comprising the polynucleotides and polypeptides as well as specific therapeutic applications thereof. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates methods for the manufacture of the polypeptides and medicaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Fred HOFMANN, Jurgen Frevert
  • Patent number: 9193771
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the pharmaceutical field. Specifically, it contemplates a polynucleotide encoding a Neurotoxin polypeptide exhibiting a reduced duration of biological effect in a subject, wherein the polypeptide comprises at least one degradation signal in the light chain as well as vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide, polypeptides encoded thereby and antibodies specifically binding to the polypeptides. Moreover, the invention relates to medicaments comprising the polynucleotides and polypeptides as well as specific therapeutic applications thereof. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates methods for the manufacture of the polypeptides and medicaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Fred Hofmann, Jurgen Frevert
  • Publication number: 20150322118
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel recombinant clostridial neurotoxins exhibiting increased membrane localization and to methods for the manufacture of such recombinant clostridial neurotoxins. These methods comprise the steps of inserting a nucleic acid sequence coding for a C2 domain into a nucleic acid sequence coding for a parental clostridial neurotoxin and expression of the recombinant nucleic acid sequence comprising the C2 domain in a host cell. The invention further relates to novel recombinant single-chain precursor clostridial neurotoxins used in such methods, nucleic acid sequences encoding such recombinant single-chain precursor clostridial neurotoxins, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the recombinant clostridial neurotoxin with increased membrane localization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Gerhard GROER, Jurgen FREVERT, Fred HOFMANN, Michael SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20150232828
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method for manufacturing and obtaining recombinant proteins, such as clostridial neurotoxins, harbouring an N-terminal lysine from precursor proteins. The method comprises the step of expressing a nucleic acid sequence encoding a precursor protein comprising an N-terminal motif, which can be recognised by an endoprotease specific for a lysine in P?1 position, and the step of cleaving the precursor protein with the endoprotease. The invention further relates to novel precursor proteins used in such methods, nucleic acid sequences encoding such precursor proteins and novel recombinant proteins, such as clostridial neurotoxins, harbouring an N-terminal lysine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Jurgen Frevert, Michael Schmidt, Fred Hofmann, Gerhard Groer
  • Publication number: 20140308267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the pharmaceutical field. Specifically, it contemplates a polynucleotide encoding a neurotoxin polypeptide exhibiting a reduced duration of the biological effect in a subject, wherein said polypeptide comprises at least one E3 ligase recognition motif in the light chain, wherein said E3 ligase recognition motif is preferably a binding motif for the E3 ligase MDM2. The invention further pertains to polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotide of the invention as well as polypeptides comprising one or more amino acid substitutions. Further encompassed by the present invention are vectors and host cells comprising the said polynucleotide, polypeptides encoded thereby and antibodies specifically binding to the polypeptides. Moreover, the invention relates to medicaments comprising said polynucleotides and polypeptides, as well as specific therapeutic applications thereof. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates methods for the manufacture of the polypeptides and medicaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Schmidt, Jurge Frevert, Fred Hofmann, Gerhard Groer
  • Patent number: 8747841
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides transiently activating Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) GTPase, polynucleotides encoding said polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said polypeptides or said polynucleotides. The present invention further relates to the use of said polypeptides, said polynucleotides or said pharmaceutical compositions for long-term treatment of damage of the peripheral or central nervous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventors: Gudrun Ahnert-Hilger, Gisela Groβe, Fred Hofmann, Ingo Just, Markus Höltje, Stefanie Hülsenbeck
  • Publication number: 20140045760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the pharmaceutical field. Specifically, it contemplates a polynucleotide encoding a Neurotoxin polypeptide exhibiting a reduced duration of biological effect in a subject, wherein the polypeptide comprises at least one degradation signal in the light chain as well as vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide, polypeptides encoded thereby and antibodies specifically binding to the polypeptides. Moreover, the invention relates to medicaments comprising the polynucleotides and polypeptides as well as specific therapeutic applications thereof. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates methods for the manufacture of the polypeptides and medicaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Fred HOFMANN, Jurgen Frevert
  • Patent number: 8586329
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the pharmaceutical field. Specifically, it contemplates a polynucleotide encoding a neurotoxin polypeptide exhibiting a reduced duration of the biological effect in a subject, wherein the polypeptide comprises at least one degradation signal in the light chain of the neurotoxin polypeptide as well as vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide, polypeptides encoded thereby and antibodies specifically binding to the polypeptides. Moreover, the invention relates to medicaments comprising the polynucleotides and polypeptides, as well as specific therapeutic applications thereof. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates methods for the manufacture of the polypeptides and medicaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Fred Hofmann, Jurgen Frevert
  • Publication number: 20130039894
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides transiently activating Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) GTPase, polynucleotides encoding said polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said polypeptides or said polynucleotides. The present invention further relates to the use of said polypeptides, said polynucleotides or said pharmaceutical compositions for long-term treatment of damage of the peripheral or central nervous system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Gudrun Ahnert-Hilger, Gisela Grosse, Fred Hofmann, Ingo Just, Markus Höltje, Stefanie Hülsenbeck
  • Publication number: 20130020865
    Abstract: Advances in robot performance have been limited by a lack of advances in the mature field of battery technology. The focus of robotic power systems must expand from the use of single energy devices to the inclusion of multiple devices which can be optimized for a robotic platform. The challenge lies in the development of the hardware and control algorithms for a scalable power delivery architecture which satisfies the power and energy requirements of most unmanned ground vehicles. This invention is directed to an architecture which is easily scalable and facilitates the use of a wide variety of energy storage/generation devices, while focusing on the system control algorithm and its stability. The experimental results for an example system are presented demonstrating that the architecture functions properly when faced with real world robotic power demands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Karl Martin Reichard, Christopher Mark Rogan, Elisha M. Hughes, Nathaniel John Hobbs, Heath Fred Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20120107362
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the pharmaceutical field. Specifically, it contemplates a polynucleotide encoding a neurotoxin polypeptide exhibiting a reduced duration of the biological effect in a subject, wherein the polypeptide comprises at least one degradation signal in the light chain of the neurotoxin polypeptide as well as vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide, polypeptides encoded thereby and antibodies specifically binding to the polypeptides. Moreover, the invention relates to medicaments comprising the polynucleotides and polypeptides, as well as specific therapeutic applications thereof. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates methods for the manufacture of the polypeptides and medicaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: MERZ PHARMA GMBH & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Fred Hofmann, Jurgen Frevert
  • Patent number: 7851932
    Abstract: An electricity-generating backpack that is substantially lighter in weight, has the multiple springs replaced with one large spring whose spring constant can be adjusted in the field in seconds, and replaces a DC generator with a brushless AC generator that permits approximately 70% generator efficiency and the generation of up to 20 W of electrical power by converting mechanical energy to electrical power. A device is provided that always removes some electricity, but not too much, as necessary to extract large levels of the electricity while controlling damping by providing electrical damping circuits including a DC-DC converter designed to emulate a desired load at its input terminals. Additional electricity generating E-MOD devices may be used for generating additional power by hooking an E-Mod device to a generator and to the backpack belt at the wearer's hip and includes a wand that fits against the wearer's femur so as to move through a range of motion as the patient walks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Lightning Packs, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence Craig Rome, Heath Fred Hofmann, Guanghui Wang
  • Patent number: 7847501
    Abstract: A motor in an electric vehicle can be controlled by receiving a torque command value, calculating a first flux value corresponding to a determinable efficiency of the electric vehicle at the torque command value, calculating a first torque-producing current value as a function of the torque command value and of the first flux value, and using the first flux value and the first torque-producing current value to control the motor to propel the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Tesla Motors
    Inventors: Andrew David Baglino, Heath Fred Hofmann, Greg Grant Solberg
  • Publication number: 20090224721
    Abstract: A motor in an electric vehicle can be controlled by receiving a torque command value, calculating a first flux value corresponding to a determinable efficiency of the electric vehicle at the torque command value, calculating a first torque-producing current value as a function of the torque command value and of the first flux value, and using the first flux value and the first torque-producing current value to control the motor to propel the electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew David Baglino, Heath Fred Hofmann, Greg Grant Solberg
  • Publication number: 20090015022
    Abstract: An electricity-generating backpack that is substantially lighter in weight, has the multiple springs replaced with one large spring whose spring constant can be adjusted in the field in seconds, and replaces a DC generator with a brushless AC generator that permits approximately 70% generator efficiency and the generation of up to 20 W of electrical power by converting mechanical energy to electrical power. A device is provided that always removes some electricity, but not too much, as necessary to extract large levels of the electricity while controlling damping by providing electrical damping circuits including a DC-DC converter designed to emulate a desired load at its input terminals. Additional electricity generating E-MOD devices may be used for generating additional power by hooking an E-Mod device to a generator and to the backpack belt at the wearer's hip and includes a wand that fits against the wearer's femur so as to move through a range of motion as the patient walks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: LIGHTNING PACKS LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence Craig Rome, Heath Fred Hofmann, Guanghui Wang
  • Publication number: 20050255543
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleotide sequences and their encoded enzyme-deficient proteins and peptides which regulate neurite especially axonal growth, recognitions agents thereto, and the therapeutic and diagnostic uses of such proteins and peptides. The invention relates also to the use of enzyme-deficient or enzymatic inactive C3 proteins/peptide-derivatives derived from Clostridium botulinum for regulation of the growth, expansion and/or differentiation of neurons and neuronal stem cells as well as the regeneration of neurons. In a specific embodiment of the invention, proteins and peptides may be used to promote the regeneration of neuronal axons over long distances following spinal cord damage. The proteins and peptides allow neurite especially axonal outgrowth—without actions on glial cells—in nervous system tissue in vivo and in vitro. They may have important uses in the treatment of central nervous system damage and degenerative nerve diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventors: Ingo Just, Fred Hofmann, Gudrun Ahnert-Hilger, Gisela Grosse