Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry

Paul W. Erhardt, Ph.D.

Photo of Dr. Paul Erhardt

  Distinguished University Professor Emeritus

  Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry
  Wolfe Hall 2206
  Phone: 419.530.2167
  E-mail: paul.erhardt@utoledo.edu

 

Area of Research

Small molecule drug design, synthesis, biological screening, PK assessment and preclinical development of lead candidates. Open to consideration of all therapeutic areas, but especially interested in anticancer research.

Educational Background

B.A., Organic Chemistry with minors in Mathematics and Psychology, 1969 University of Minnesota
Ph.D., Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry, 1974 University of Minnesota
Post-doctoral Research Associate, 1974-1975 University of Texas at Austin
Certified Patent Agent United States Patent and Trademark Office 

Training

Postdoctoral in drug metabolism and bioanalytical chemistry; Patent law self taught with benefit of short courses prior to passing the US PTO Bar Exam.

Scope of Practice

About 10 years in a small pharma company followed by 15 years in a big pharma company, gradually stepping up the research and management ranks to achieve the position of assistant director of Drug Discovery and Technology Development; Then joined UToledo as a tenured, full professor and director of the Center for Drug Design and Development (CD3) for about 25 years, eventually being recognized as a DUP and most recently as an Emeritus wherein I now conduct research with postdoctoral staff by garnering extramural funding of collaborative projects. 

Awards, Honors and Grants

  1. Inducted into the American Chemical Society Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame - 2018
  2. Ongoing sponsored research agreements (SRAs) with collaborators from both the private sector and other academic institutions
  3. While in small pharma, Dr. Erhardt invented a critical care therapeutic agent called 'esmolol' that is still being used today to save lives on a daily basis across the globe. It is a 'soft drug' design strategy that has also been used by others as a model to invent several other new drugs.

Issued Patents

  1. B. Heck, D. Kim, P. Erhardt and B. Kress. Analogs of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists, and methods of using the same. US 10776461 B2, Sep 15, 2020.
  2. B. Heck, D. Kim, P. Erhardt and B. Kress. Analogs of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists, and methods of using the same. US 10351541 B2, Jul 16, 2019.
  3. B. Heck, D. Kim, P. Erhardt and B. Kress. Analogs of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists, and methods of using the same. US 10181018 B2, Jan 15, 2019.
  4. S. Patrick, P. Erhardt and C. Trabbic. Inhibitors of ERCC1-XPF and methods of using the same. US 9,821,008 B2, Nov. 21, 2017.
  5. B. Heck, D. Kim, P. Erhardt and B. Kress. Analogs of PPAR-delta. U.S. 9,695,137 B2, Sep 15, 2017.

Across his entire career, Dr. Erhardt has about 150 publications and 50 small molecule drug patents.

Publications and Journals

UToledo Scholars

Last Updated: 8/17/22