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Ghrelin receptor modulators: a patent review (2011 - 2014)
Luca Costantino1, Daniela Barlocco
1University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita , Via Campi 183, 41100 Modena , Italy +39 059 2055749 ; +39 059 2055131 ; luca.costantino@unimore.it.
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents
|July 23, 2014
Summary
Pharmaceutical companies are developing ghrelin receptor modulators for various conditions like obesity and cachexia. While clinical trials are underway, these compounds are not yet approved treatments.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Recent patents reveal compounds targeting ghrelin receptor actions.
- These include agonists for cachexia and antagonists for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively describe and categorize patents related to ghrelin receptor modulators.
- To review scientific literature data on these compounds.
Main Methods:
- Patent analysis and literature review.
- Categorization of compounds based on their action (agonist, antagonist, inverse agonist).
Main Results:
- Multiple ghrelin receptor modulators have been patented.
- Some compounds have entered clinical trials for conditions like cachexia, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Conclusions:
- Ghrelin has diverse actions, some via unknown mechanisms.
- While therapeutic potential is promising, the mechanism of action in the CNS requires further understanding.
- Encouraging results suggest future clinical translation for various pathologies.
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