Patents Assigned to Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGAA
  • Patent number: 10125350
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for the generation of neurotoxin-sensitive, neuronal differentiated cells comprising the steps of: a) cultivating tumor cells which are able to differentiate into neuronal cells in a culture medium under conditions and for a time which primes said tumor cells for neuronal differentiation; and b) cultivating the tumor cells primed for neuronal differentiation of a) in a differentiation medium having an osmolality of 100 to 270 mOsm/kg, and comprising (i) B27 supplement and/or (ii) N2 supplement, for at least 3 days, thereby obtaining neurotoxin-sensitive, neuronal differentiated cells. The invention further relates to neurotoxin-sensitive, neuronal differentiated cells obtainable by the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Eisele, Kai Harting
  • Patent number: 10105421
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions which comprise botulinum toxin from Clostridium botulinum. The pharmaceutical compositions of the instant invention are not only free of a mammalian derived proteinaceous stabilizing agent but are free of any stabilizing protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventor: Harold Victor Taylor
  • Patent number: 9975929
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel recombinant clostridial neurotoxins exhibiting increased duration of effect and to methods for the manufacture of such recombinant clostridial neurotoxins. These novel recombinant clostridial neurotoxins comprise a random coil domain, and the methods comprise the steps of inserting a nucleic acid sequence coding for a random coil domain into a nucleic acid sequence coding for a parental clostridial neurotoxin and expression of the recombinant nucleic acid sequence comprising the random coil domain-coding sequence 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 duration of effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Jürgen Frevert, Fred Hofmann, Michael Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9963502
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody which specifically binds to unprocessed and/or partially processed neurotoxin polypeptide or an antibody which specifically binds an epitope consisting of a peptide having an amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 16 and to methods for the manufacture of such antibodies. Moreover, the present invention relates to a composition comprising processed neurotoxin polypeptide free of unprocessed or partially processed neurotoxin polypeptide and a method for manufacturing said neurotoxin polypeptide based on the antibodies of the invention. The present invention also relates to the use of the aforementioned antibody for separating processed neurotoxin polypeptides from unprocessed or partially processed neurotoxin polypeptides or for determining unprocessed or partially processed neurotoxin polypeptides. The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Michael Pfeil, Josef Friedrich, Harold Victor Taylor, Karl-Heinz Eisele, Cornelia Brünn
  • Patent number: 9937245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a highly pure neurotoxic component of a botulinum toxin by cultivating clostridium botulinum under conditions that allow production of a botulinum toxin, and isolating the neurotoxic component from the botulinum toxin. In addition, the present invention relates to a highly pure neurotoxic component of a botulinum toxin obtainable by the process of the present invention and uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GMBH & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Michael Pfeil, Andreas Wiesenburg
  • Patent number: 9827298
    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 feast one degradation signal in the light chain as well as vectors and host calls 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: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Fred Hofmann, Jürgen Frevert
  • Publication number: 20170333596
    Abstract: The present invention relates to injectable dermal filler compositions in the form of a gel, comprising hyaluronic acid (HA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and, optionally, microparticles such as calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHAP) microparticles. The injectable dermal filler compositions have improved rheological properties while at the same time have low extrusion forces. The present invention further relates to a method for preparing such injectable dermal filler compositions and their use for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: MERZ PHARMA GMBH & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: NADINE HAGEDORN, ROLAND STRAGIES, FRANCK VILLAIN, LUBIN BELKOVI, RADIA EL-BANNA
  • Patent number: 9822223
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a composition, the composition comprising a crosslinked first polymer, optionally a second polymer, which may be crosslinked or non-crosslinked, and water, wherein the first and the second polymer are selected from a polysaccharide, comprising at least steps (i) to (iv): (i) crosslinking a mixture comprising the first polymer and water; (ii) subsequent to the crosslinking in step (i), terminating the crosslinking; (iii) optionally blending the product obtained in step (ii) with the second polymer; (iv) subjecting the product obtained in step (iii) to dialysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Heiko Barg, Josef Friedrich, Wolfgang Liebetrau, Robert Voigts, Tim Stephen Ligman
  • Patent number: 9809809
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Michael Schmidt, Jurgen Frevert, Fred Hofmann, Gerhard Groer
  • Patent number: 9572871
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating diseases and disorders by administering a composition containing the neurotoxic component of a Clostridium botulinum toxin complex, wherein the composition is devoid of any other protein of the Clostridium botulinum toxin complex and wherein the composition is administered at short intervals and/or in high doses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Matthias Marx, Susanne Grafe, Reiner Benecke, Dirk Dressler
  • Patent number: 9511114
    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 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Fred Hofmann, Jurgen Frevert
  • Patent number: 9498450
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of an individual afflicted with cochlear tinnitus comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a 1-amino-alkylcyclohexane derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Barbara Ellers-Lenz, Tanja Rosenberg, Hagen Kruger, Michael Althaus
  • Patent number: 9468610
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of an individual diagnosed with hearing loss comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a 1-amino-alkylcyclohexane derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventor: Hagen Kruger
  • Patent number: 9447175
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody which specifically binds to unprocessed and/or partially processed neurotoxin polypeptide or an antibody which specifically binds an epitope consisting of a peptide having an amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 16 and to methods for the manufacture of such antibodies. Moreover, the present invention relates to a composition comprising processed neurotoxin polypeptide free of unprocessed or partially processed neurotoxin polypeptide and a method for manufacturing said neurotoxin polypeptide based on the antibodies of the invention. The present invention also relates to the use of the aforementioned antibody for separating processed neurotoxin polypeptides from unprocessed or partially processed neurotoxin polypeptides or for determining unprocessed or partially processed neurotoxin polypeptides. The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Michael Pfeil, Josef Friedrich, Harold Victor Taylor, Karl-Heinz Eisele, Cornelia Brunn
  • Patent number: 9314401
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a titration package for providing at least one pharmaceutical composition in at least two different dosages. The titration package comprises at least two sets. Each set comprises at least three individually addressable regions. Each addressable region preferably comprises or is represented by a pharmaceutical composition, preferably a tablet. The dosage of the pharmaceutical composition is the same within each of the at least two sets (“common dosage”), while the dosages of the pharmaceutical compositions are different for one of the at least two sets compared to at least one other of the at least two sets. The arrangement of the at least two sets is not a matrix-like arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventor: Diego M. Arbaiza Taurel
  • Patent number: 9314514
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with modified neurotoxins. Specifically, it relates to a modified biologically active neurotoxin polypeptide comprising at least one poly-Glycine domain. Also contemplated is a polynucleotide encoding the modified neurotoxin polypeptide having a poly-Glycine domain fused to the N-terminus, to the C-terminus or to both of the heavy and/or light chain of the mature neurotoxin polypeptide, vector comprising it and a host cell comprising such a polynucleotide or a vector. Moreover, envisaged are the aforementioned compounds for use as a medicament for treating various diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Eisele
  • Patent number: 9310386
    Abstract: Novel methods for determining the unknown biological activity of a clostridial neurotoxin in a sample with respect to the known biological activity of a clostridial neurotoxin in a reference sample, comprising the step of comparing the biological activity of a clostridial neurotoxin preparation with the biological activity of a standard preparation of a reference clostridial neurotoxin in certain in vitro systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Thomas Wilk, Harold Victor Taylor, Karl-Heinz Eisele
  • Patent number: 9220783
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions which comprise a botulinum neurotoxin from Clostridium botulinum, the neurotoxin being free of the complexing proteins naturally present in the botulinum neurotoxin complex or being chemically modified or being modified by genetic manipulation. Moreover the pharmaceutical compositions of the instant invention have good stability and are advantageously formulated free of human serum albumin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventor: Harold Victor Taylor
  • Patent number: 9213026
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with tools for the quality control and safety during manufacture of neurotoxins. In particular, it relates to a method for the determination of the amount of partially processed and/or unprocessed Botulinum neurotoxin A polypeptide (BoNT/A) in a solution comprising processed and partially processed and/or unprocessed BoNT/A comprising the steps of contacting a sample of the solution with a capture antibody which specifically binds to the partially processed and unprocessed BoNT/A under conditions which allow for binding of the antibody to the partially processed and unprocessed BoNT/A, whereby a complex is formed, and determining the amount of the formed complex, whereby the amount of the complex is indicative for the amount of the partially processed and/or unprocessed BoNT/A in the solution. Moreover, the present invention contemplates a device and a kit for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Harold Victor Taylor, Karl-Heinz Eisele, Cornelia Brunn
  • Patent number: 9212355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to means and methods for determining neurotoxin activity. Specifically, it relates to a polypeptide having caspase activity comprising a large subunit and a small subunit wherein the caspase further comprises a neurotoxin cleavage site which upon cleavage activates the caspase activity. Also encompassed are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as vectors or host cells comprising the polynucleotides. The present invention further relates to a method for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample based on the polypeptide of the invention as well as the use of the polypeptide for determining neurotoxin activity in a sample, in general.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: MERZ PHARMA GmbH & CO. KGaA
    Inventors: Klaus Fink, Martin Vey