Novel Compounds

Abstract

A compound having an amino acid sequence of Formula (I): Xaa1- AIB2- Xaa3-Gly4-Thr5-Phe6-Thr7-Ser8-Asp9-Xaa10-Ser11- Lys12- Gln13- Leu14- Glu15- Glu16-Xaa17-Xaa18-Val19-Xaa20-Xaa21-Phe22- Ile23- Glu24

Description

Field of the Invention The present disclosure relates to compounds which are peptide hormone analogues, and which are useful in treating disorders such as diabetes and obesity. Background According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2009-2010), 33.0% of adults in the United States aged 20 and over are overweight, 35.7% are obese, and 6.3% are extremely obese. In addition, a large percentage of children in the United States are overweight or obese. The cause of obesity is complex and multi-factorial. Increasing evidence suggests that obesity is not a simple problem of self-control but is a complex disorder involving appetite regulation and energy metabolism. In addition, obesity is associated with a variety of conditions associated with increased morbidity and mortality in a population. Although the etiology of obesity is not definitively established, genetic, metabolic, biochemical, cultural and psychosocial factors are believed to contribute. In general, obesity has been described as a condition in which excess body fat puts an individual at a health risk. There is strong evidence that obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Disease risk, such as cardiovascular disease risk and type-2 diabetes disease risk, increases independently with increased body mass index (BMI). Indeed, this risk has been quantified as a five percent increase in the risk of cardiac disease for females, and a seven percent increase in the risk of cardiac disease for males, for each point of a BMI greater than 24.9 (see Kenchaiah et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 347:305, 2002; Massie, N. Engl. J. Med. 347:358, 2002). Diabetes is a chronic syndrome of impaired carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism owing to insufficient secretion of insulin or to target tissue insulin resistance. It occurs in two major forms: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes) and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes). Diabetes type 1, or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is caused by the destruction of p cells, which results in insufficient levels of endogenous insulin. Diabetes type 2, or non-insulin dependent diabetes, results from a defect in both the body’s sensitivity to insulin, and a relative deficiency in insulin production. According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2014 around 28.9 million adults in the United States aged 20 and over have diabetes (2009-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimates applied to 2012 U.S. Census data). In adults 90 to 95% of the diabetes is type 2 diabetes. There is substantial evidence that weight loss in obese persons reduces important disease risk factors. Even a small weight loss, such as 10% of the initial body weight in both overweight and obese adults has been associated with a decrease in risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. It has been shown that considerable weight loss can effectively cure type 2 diabetes (Lim et al., Diabetologia June 2011). Although diet and exercise provide a simple process to decrease weight gain, overweight and obese individuals often cannot sufficiently control these factors to effectively lose weight. Pharmacotherapy is available; several weight loss drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration that can be used as part of a comprehensive weight loss program. However, many of these drugs have serious adverse side effects. When less invasive methods have failed, and the patient is at high risk for obesity related morbidity or mortality, weight loss surgery is an option in carefully selected patients with clinically severe obesity. However, these treatments are high-risk, and suitable for use in only a limited number of patients. It is not only obese subjects who wish to lose weight. People with weight within the recommended range, for example, in the upper part of the recommended range, may wish to reduce their weight, to bring it closer to the ideal weight. Thus, a need remains for agents that can be used to effect weight loss in overweight and obese subjects as well as in subjects who are of normal weight. A number of approaches to the development of agents useful in effecting weight loss have involved gastrointestinal peptide hormones and their analogues. For example, derivatives of peptides deriving from the preproglucagon molecule have been proposed for use in treatment of obesity and / or diabetes. Preproglucagon is a precursor peptide of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), as well as other hormones including glucagon GLP-1 is produced in vivo in the intestinal L cell in response to the presence of nutrients in the lumen of the gut. GLP-1 possesses a number of physiological functions including increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas in a glucose-dependent manner, decreasing glucagon secretion from the pancreas, inhibiting gastric emptying and decreasing food intake by increasing satiety. Increased insulin secretion leads to a decrease in circulating glucose concentration. Examples of research into analogues of such peptides are described in, for example, WO2013 / 004983 which describes peptide molecules containing sequence from both the GLP-1 and glucagon peptides. WO2015 / 132599 also discloses peptide hormone analogues, which are derivable from preproglucagon and which are useful in the therapy of disorders such as obesity and diabetes. WO2017 / 178829 discloses compounds that are analogues of exendin-4, GLP-1 and oxyntomodulin which have a modified ligand bias and therapeutically useful characteristics. Another example is the peptide liraglutide, a GLP-1 agonist which has the sequence of GLP-1 (7-37) with an arginine residue substituted for the native lysine at position 34, and with the sidechain of the lysine residue at position 26 being acylated by a hexadecanoyl group(palmitic acid) attached to the lysine though a glutamic acid spacer. Liraglutide has been developed for use as a once daily injectable drug for the treatment of type II diabetes. The same active ingredient as in liraglutide is marketed as Saxenda for the treatment of obesity (once daily injection). Semaglutide, a once weekly injectable analogue of GLP-1, has two amino acid substitutions compared to human GLP-1 (AIB8, Arg34) and is derivatized at lysine 26 with a linker and a Ci8 diacid fatty acid. However, despite significant advances, the process of identifying substances useful as drugs remains a complex and, in many cases, unpredictable field. In order to be useful as therapeutic agents, compounds must possess a suitable range of properties. In addition to having good efficacy at the biological target of interest, compounds must have good in vivo pharmacokinetic properties, low toxicity and an acceptable side effect profile. For example, even with commercial agents such as liraglutide, side effects can include nausea and vomiting, and concerns have also been raised with regard to thyroid cancer and pancreatitis. Thus, there remains a need for further compounds which are useful for the treatment of disorders and diseases such as diabetes and obesity. For example, it would be desirable to identify peptides having beneficial properties such as an improved activity profile, and / or which have reduced side effects. For example, it would be desirable for a peptide to be identified that reduces appetite and / or reduces food intake. Alternatively, or additionally, it would be desirable for a peptide to be identified that has these and other biological effects (for example the therapeutically useful biological effects described herein) for a sustained period. A compound that has a longer period of activity can be administered less frequently and at lower dose, which contributes to improved convenience for the subject, to fewer side effects and to lower cost. Summary of the Invention In a first aspect there is provided a compound of Formula (I): Xaa1 -AIB2-Xaa3-Gly4-Thr5-Phe6-Thr7-Ser8-Asp9-Xaa10-Ser11 -Lys12-Gln13-Leu14-Glu15-Glu16-Xaa17-Xaa18-Val19-Xaa20-Xaa21-Phe22-lle23-Glu24-Trp25-Leu26-Lys27-Xaa28-Xaa29-Gly30-Pro31-Ser32-Xaa33-Gly34-Xaa35-Xaa36-Pro37-Pro38-Xaa39-Xaa40-Xaa41-Lys42 (I) [SEQ ID NO: 528] wherein: Xaa1 is His, Tyr or Phe; Xaa3 is His, Gin or Glu; Xaa10 is Leu, Tyr or Vai; Xaa17 is Glu or Lys; Xaa18 is Ala or Arg; Xaa20 is Arg, Gin, Lys or His; Xaa21 is Leu, Ala, Arg, Lys or Glu; Xaa28 is Ala, Asn, Gin or His; Xaa29 is Gly or Ala; Xaa33 is Ser, His or Gin; Xaa35 is Lys, Pro, His, Arg, Asn, Gin, Glu, Ser or Ala; Xaa36 is Phe, His, Gin, Glu, Lys, Ser, Arg or absent Xaa39 is Pro or Gly; Xaa40 is Gly or absent; Xaa41 is Lys or absent; and the lysine residue at position 42 is substituted at its s-amino group with a group Y and Y is: Z-Xaa43-Xaa44- wherein: Xaa43 is Asn or absent; Xaa44 is His or absent; and Z is a group of formula: 10 07 25 wherein R is a C16-C18 alkylene or alkenylene group; and R1 isCO2H; or a derivative of the compound; wherein said derivative comprises one or more derivatisations selected from lipidization and pegylation; or a salt or solvate of the 5 compound or the derivative. Also provided herein is a composition comprising a compound, derivative, salt or solvate of the invention together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally a further therapeutic agent. Also provided herein is a compound, derivative, salt or solvate of the invention, or a 10 composition comprising such a compound, derivative, salt or solvate and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use as a medicament, e.g. for use in the prevention or treatment of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, stroke or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, improving insulin release in a subject, improving carbohydrate metabolism in a subject, improving the lipid profile of a subject, reducing appetite, reducing food 15 intake, reducing calorie intake, improving carbohydrate tolerance in a subject, and / or for use as a cytoprotective agent, for example in the prevention or treatment of Parkinsonism, Alzheimer’s disease and other types of neural and cellular degeneration. Also provided herein is a method of causing weight loss or preventing weight gain in a subject for cosmetic purposes comprising administration of an effective amount of a 20 compound, derivative, salt or solvate of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows the amino acid sequences of example compounds of the invention. The compounds are presented with the N-terminal residue at the left-hand side of the table 25 (signified by the column titled “1”). The amino acid sequence for each compound is set out over two horizontal pages. Results of feeding and receptor binding experiments are shown in the far right hand columns. 10 07 25 Sequences The amino acid sequences herein are shown with the N-terminus to the left, and where sequences are set out across multiple lines, the N-terminus is to the top left. Unless indicated otherwise, the amino acid residues in the sequences are L-amino acids. 5 The amino acid sequences listed in the application are shown using standard letter abbreviations for amino acids. The unnatural amino acid 2-aminoisobutyric acid has its usual abbreviation ‘AIB’. The specific sequences given herein relate to specific embodiments of the invention. io Detailed Description In order to facilitate review of the various embodiments of this disclosure, the following explanations of specific terms are provided: Animal: Living multi-cellular vertebrate organisms, a category that includes, for example, mammals and birds. The term mammal includes both human and non-human 15 mammals. Similarly, the term “subject” includes both human and veterinary subjects. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the subject is a human subject. Appetite: A natural desire, or longing for food. In one embodiment, appetite is measured by a survey to assess the desire for food. Increased appetite generally leads to increased feeding behaviour. 20 Appetite Suppressants: Compounds that decrease the desire for food. Commercially available appetite suppressants include, but are not limited to, amfepramone (diethylpropion), phentermine, mazindol and phenylpropanolamine fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, and fluoxetine. Body Mass Index (BMI): A mathematical formula for measuring body mass, also 25 sometimes called Quetelet's Index. BMI is calculated by dividing weight (in kg) by height2 (in metres2). The current standards for both men and women accepted as "normal" are a BMI of 20-24.9 kg / m2. In one embodiment, a BMI of greater than 25 10 07 25 kg / m2 can be used to identify an obese subject. Grade I obesity (which is sometimes referred to as being “overweight” rather than obesity) corresponds to a BMI of 25-29.9 kg / m2. Grade II obesity corresponds to a BMI of 30-40 kg / m2; and Grade III obesity corresponds to a BMI greater than 40 kg / m2 (Jequier, Am. J Clin. Nutr. 45:1035-47, 5 1987). Ideal body weight will vary among species and individuals based on height, body build, bone structure, and sex. Cardioprotection refers to the protection of cardiac cells (and especially the myocardial cells) from apoptosis, necrotic cell death or degeneration (loss of function). Cardioprotection is most often required following myocardial infarction, but may also be io used in subjects suffering from ischemic heart disease (for example angina) Cytoprotection refers to the protection of cells from apoptosis, necrotic cell death or degeneration (loss of function). Diabetes: A failure of cells to transport endogenous glucose across their membranes either because of an endogenous deficiency of insulin and / or a defect in insulin is sensitivity. Diabetes is a chronic syndrome of impaired carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism owing to insufficient secretion of insulin or to target tissue insulin resistance. It occurs in two major forms: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM, type I) and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM, type II) which differ in etiology, pathology, genetics, age of onset, and treatment. 20 The two major forms of diabetes are both characterized by an inability to deliver insulin in an amount and with the precise timing that is needed for control of glucose homeostasis. Diabetes type I, or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is caused by the destruction of p cells, which results in insufficient levels of endogenous insulin. Diabetes type II, or non-insulin dependent diabetes, results from a defect in both the 25 body’s sensitivity to insulin, and a relative deficiency in insulin production. Energy Metabolism: The body has to expend a certain amount of energy to maintain normal metabolism. In civilized man this is often set at about 2,800 Calories daily. If food consumption does not provide this, weight loss results. However, energy metabolism is also regulated, and, for example, administration of glucagon is thought to 10 07 25 increase the metabolic rate so that a greater food intake is required to achieve energy balance and maintain weight. Thus, if food intake is maintained at the usual level, but energy metabolism is increased, weight loss will result. Food intake: The amount of food consumed by an individual. Food intake can be 5 measured by volume or by weight. For example, food intake may be the total amount of food consumed by an individual. In a feeding experiment, ‘Food Intake’ is the weight of a standardised chow consumed by an animal in a 24 hour period. Or, food intake may be the amount of proteins, fat, carbohydrates, cholesterol, vitamins, minerals, or any other food component, of the individual. “Protein intake” refers to the amount of protein io consumed by an individual. Similarly, “fat intake,” “carbohydrate intake,” “cholesterol intake,” “vitamin intake,” and “mineral intake” refer to the amount of proteins, fat, carbohydrates, cholesterol, vitamins, or minerals consumed by an individual. GLP-1: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is derived from the transcription product of the proglucagon gene. The biologically active forms of GLP-1 are truncated forms known is as GLP-1 (7-37) and GLP-1 (7-36)-NH2 (the designation -NH2 designates an amino acid sequence in which the C-terminal amino acid has a -C(O)NH2 group in place of a carboxylic acid group). The sequence of human GLP-1 (7-37) is His-Ala-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-GIn-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Phe-lle-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Lys-Gly-Arg-Gly. 20 [SEQ ID NO: 529] The sequence of human GLP-1 (7-36)-NH2 is His-Ala-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-GIn-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Phe-lle-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Lys-Gly-Arg— CONH2. [SEQ ID NO: 530] Glucagon: Glucagon is a peptide derived from the proglucagon gene. It is a 29-amino 25 acid polypeptide in humans and has the sequence: His-Ser-GIn-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Ser-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Asp-Ser-Arg-Arg-Ala-GIn-Asp-Phe-Val-GIn-Trp-Leu-Met-Asn-Thr. [SEQ ID NO:531] Neuroprotection refers to the protection of neurons within the nervous system (preferably within the central nervous system) from apoptosis, necrotic cell death or 10 07 25 degeneration (loss of function). Neuroprotective treatments, including those relating to various aspects of the present invention may be required following a brain injury (for example those following physical trauma or non-traumatic injury such as stroke, brain tumours, infection, poisoning, hypoxia, ischemia, encephalopathy or substance abuse). 5 Neuroprotective treatments, including those relating to various aspects of the present invention may also be indicated in subjects having a chronic neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Gehrig’s disease or Huntington’s disease. Normal Daily Diet: The average food intake for an individual of a given species. A io normal daily diet can be expressed in terms of caloric intake, protein intake, carbohydrate intake, and / or fat intake. A normal daily diet in humans generally comprises the following: about 2,000, about 2,400, or about 2,800 to significantly more calories. In addition, a normal daily diet in humans generally includes about 12 g to about 45 g of protein, about 120 g to about 610 g of carbohydrate, and about 11 g to 15 about 90 g of fat. A low calorie diet would be no more than about 85%, and preferably no more than about 70%, of the normal caloric intake of a human individual. In animals, the caloric and nutrient requirements vary depending on the species and size of the animal. For example, in cats, the total caloric intake per pound, as well as the percent distribution of protein, carbohydrate and fat varies with the age of the cat 20 and the reproductive state. A general guideline for cats, however, is 40 cal / lb / day (18.2 cal / kg / day). About 30% to about 40% should be protein, about 7% to about 10% should be from carbohydrate, and about 50% to about 62.5% should be derived from fat intake. One of skill in the art can readily identify the normal daily diet of an individual of any species. 25 Obesity: A condition in which excess body fat may put a person at health risk (see Barlow and Dietz, Pediatrics 102:E29, 1998; National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Obes. Res. 6 (suppl. 2):51 S-209S, 1998). Excess body fat is a result of an imbalance of energy intake and energy expenditure. For example, the Body Mass Index (BMI) may be used to assess obesity. In one 10 07 25 commonly used convention, a BMI of 25.0 kg / m2 to 29.9 kg / m2 is overweight, while a BMI of 30 kg / m2 or greater is obese. In another convention, waist circumference is used to assess obesity. In this convention, in men a waist circumference of 102 cm or more is considered obese, while 5 in women a waist circumference of 89 cm or more is considered obese. Strong evidence shows that obesity affects both the morbidity and mortality of individuals. For example, an obese individual is at increased risk for heart disease, non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancer (e.g. endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancer), dyslipidemia, gall bladder disease, sleep apnea, reduced io fertility, and osteoarthritis, amongst others (see Lyznicki et al., Am. Fam. Phys. 63:2185, 2001). Overweight: An individual who weighs more than their ideal body weight. An overweight individual can be obese but is not necessarily obese. For example, an overweight individual is any individual who desires to decrease their weight. In one is convention, an overweight individual is an individual with a BMI of 25.0 kg / m2 to 29.9 kg / m2. Oxyntomodulin (OXM): Oxyntomodulin is a 37 amino acid peptide member of the glucagon superfamily comprising the entire 29 amino acid sequence of glucagon, with an eight amino acid carboxy terminal extension, resulting from the tissue-specific 20 processing of the pre-pro-glucagon precursor in the brain and gut. The human OXM sequence is as follows: His-Ser-GIn-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Ser-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Asp-Ser-Arg-Arg-Ala-GIn-Asp-Phe-Val-GIn-Trp-Leu-Met-Asn-Thr-Lys-Arg-Asn-Arg-Asn-Asn-lle-Ala. [SEQ ID NO: 532] 25 PEGylation and PEGylated: PEGylation refers to the process of reacting a poly(alkylene glycol), preferably an activated poly(alkylene glycol) to form a covalent bond. A facilitator may be used, for example an amino acid, e.g. lysine. Although "PEGylation" is often carried out using poly(ethylene glycol) or derivatives thereof, such as methoxy poly(ethylene glycol), the term is not limited herein to the use of methoxy 10 07 25 poly(ethylene glycol) but also includes the use of any other useful poly(alkylene glycol), for example poly(propylene glycol). The term PEGylated refers to a compound containing such a poly(alkylene glycol) group. pl: pl is an abbreviation for isoelectric point. An alternative abbreviation sometimes 5 used is IEP. It is the pH at which a particular molecule carries no net electric charge. At a pH below its pl a protein or peptide carries a net positive charge. At a pH above its pl a protein or peptide carries a net negative charge. Proteins and peptides can be separated according to their isoelectric points using a technique called isoelectric focusing which is an electrophoretic method that utilises a pH gradient contained within io a polyacrylamide gel. Peripheral administration: Administration outside of the central nervous system. Peripheral administration does not include direct administration to the brain. Peripheral administration includes, but is not limited to intravascular, intramuscular, subcutaneous, inhalation, oral, rectal, transdermal or intra-nasal administration. is Polypeptide: A polymer in which the monomers are amino acid residues which are joined together through amide bonds. Unless dictated otherwise by context, the terms "polypeptide", “peptide”, or “protein” as used herein encompass any amino acid sequence and include modified sequences such as glycoproteins. The term “polypeptide” covers naturally occurring proteins, as well as those which are 20 recombinantly or synthetically produced. The term “polypeptide fragment” refers to a portion of a polypeptide, for example a fragment which exhibits at least one useful sequence in binding a receptor. The term “functional fragments of a polypeptide” refers to all fragments of a polypeptide that retain an activity of the polypeptide. Biologically functional peptides can also include fusion proteins, in which the peptide of interest has 25 been fused to another peptide that does not decrease its desired activity. Subcutaneous administration: Subcutaneous administration is administration of a substance to the subcutaneous layer of fat which is found between the dermis of the skin and the underlying tissue. Subcutaneous administration may be by an injection using a hypodermic needle fitted, for example, to a syringe or a “pen” type injection 30 device. Other administration methods may be used for example microneedles. Injection 10 07 25 with a hypodermic needle typically involves a degree of pain on behalf of the recipient. Such pain may be masked by use of a local anaesthetic or analgesic. However, the usual method used to reduce the perceived pain of injections is to merely distract the subject immediately prior to and during the injection. Pain may be minimised by using a 5 relatively small gauge hypodermic needle, by injecting a relatively small volume of substance and by avoiding excessively acidic or alkali compositions which may cause the subject to experience a “stinging” sensation at the injection site. Compositions having a pH of between pH 4 and pH 10 are usually regarded as tolerably comfortable. Therapeutically effective amount: A dose sufficient to prevent advancement, or to io cause regression of a disorder, or which is capable of relieving a sign or symptom of a disorder, or which is capable of achieving a desired result. In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention is an amount sufficient to inhibit or halt weight gain, or an amount sufficient to decrease appetite. is Compounds of the invention The present inventors have found that example compounds of the invention have properties including causing weight loss in vivo. The compounds also have a long halflife in the blood, meaning that they can be administered at a conveniently low frequency. In these respects, the compounds of the invention have an improved profile 20 in comparison to the known compound semaglutide. Compared with GLP-1 and derivatives of GLP-1 that have gone before, the compounds of the invention are extended at the C-terminus with particular residues, including that there is a lysine residue at position 42 and including that that lysine residue is functionalised in a particular way, to include the group R-R1 where R1 is CO2H. These 25 are functionalisations that have not previously been investigated and the beneficial properties found by the current inventors have not previously been seen. As described above, compounds of the invention have Formula (I): 10 07 25 Xaa1- AIB2- Xaa3-Gly4-Thr5-Phe6-Thr7-Ser8-Asp9-Xaa10-Ser11- Lys12- Gln13- Leu14- Glu15- Glu16-Xaa17-Xaa18-Val19-Xaa20-Xaa21-Phe22- Ile23- Glu24-Trp25- Leu26- Lys27-Xaa28-Xaa29-Gly30-Pro31 -Ser32-Xaa33-Gly34-Xaa35-Xaa36- Pro37-Pro38-Xaa39-Xaa40-Xaa41-Lys42; (I) [SEQ ID NO: 528] 5 wherein Xaa1 is His, Tyr or Phe; Xaa3 is His, Gin or Glu; Xaa10 is Leu, Tyr or Vai; Xaa17 is Glu or Lys; io Xaa18 is Ala or Arg; Xaa20 is Arg, Gin, Lys or His; Xaa21 is Leu, Ala, Arg, Lys or Glu; Xaa28 is Ala, Asn, Gin or His; Xaa29 is Gly or Ala; 15 Xaa33 is Ser, His or Gin; Xaa35 is Lys, Pro, His, Arg, Asn, Gin, Glu, Ser or Ala; Xaa36 is Phe, His, Gin, Glu, Lys, Ser, Arg or absent Xaa39 is Pro or Gly; Xaa40 is Gly or absent; 20 Xaa41 is Lys or absent; and the lysine residue at position 42 is substituted at its s-amino group with a group Y and Y is: Z-Xaa43-Xaa44- 25 wherein: Xaa43 is Asn or absent; Xaa44 is His or absent; and Z is a group of formula: wherein R is a C16-C18 alkylene or alkenylene group; and R1 isCO2H. 10 07 25 10 Within the first portion of the molecule (Xaa1-Lys42), it is preferred that: Xaa17 is Lys; Xaa18 is Ala or Arg; Xaa20 is Arg or His; Xaa21 is Leu or Glu; 15 Xaa28 is Ala, Gin or His; Xaa29 is Gly; Xaa33 is Ser Xaa35 is Lys, Glu, His, Gin or Asn; Xaa36 is absent; 20 Xaa39 is Pro; and Xaa41 is Lys. 10 07 25 In a more preferred embodiment, in the first portion of the molecule (Xaa1-Lys42): Xaa1 is His or Phe; Xaa3 is His or Glu; 5 Xaa10 is Tyr or Vai; Xaa17 is Lys; Xaa18 is Ala or Arg; Xaa20 is Arg or His; Xaa21 is Glu; io Xaa28 is Ala or Gin; Xaa29 is Gly; Xaa33 is Ser Xaa35 is Lys; Xaa36 is absent; 15 Xaa39 is Pro; Xaa40 is Gly; and Xaa41 is Lys. Considering the residues in turn, Xaa1 is selected from His, Tyr and Phe. For example, 20 Xaa1 is selected from His and Tyr, or alternatively Xaa1 is selected from His and Phe. For example, Xaa1 is His. Alternatively, Xaa1 is Phe. In an especially preferred embodiment, Xaa1 is Phe. It has been found that compounds of the invention with Phe at the N-terminus (in particular ones that also have Xaa3 = Glu) have a GLP-1 receptor bias. Compounds with Phe at the N-terminus have been seen to fully activate the 10 07 25 intracellular cAMP system, in a manner similar to native GLP1, whilst being weaker than GLP1 at activating the intracellular beta arrestin messenger system, so there is a bias at the GLP1 receptor. In some circumstances, this GLP1 receptor bias is an advantage in prolonging the action at the GLP1 receptor and producing relative enhancement of the 5 action on the beta cell in releasing insulin while not enhancing other dose limiting effects such as inhibition of food intake and food aversion. Xaa3 is selected from His, Gin and Glu. Preferably, Xaa3 is selected from His and Glu. For example, Xaa3 is His. Alternatively, Xaa3 is Glu. In an especially preferred embodiment, Xaa3 is Glu. io Xaa10 is selected from Leu, Tyr and Vai. Preferably, Xaa10 is Tyr orVal, for example Xaa10 is Tyr. Alternatively, Xaa10 is Vai. Xaa17 is selected from Glu or Lys. Preferably, Xaa17 is Lys. Xaa18 is selected from Ala or Arg. For example, Xaa18 is Ala. Alternatively, Xaa18 is Arg. In an especially preferred embodiment, Xaa18 is Arg. 15 Xaa20 is selected from Arg, Gin, Lys and His. Preferably, Xaa20 is Arg or His, for example Xaa20 is Arg. Alternatively, Xaa20 is His. In an especially preferred embodiment, Xaa20 is Arg. Xaa21 is selected from Leu, Ala, Arg, Lys and Glu. Preferably, Xaa21 is Leu or Glu, for example, Xaa21 is Glu. Alternatively, Xaa21 is Leu. In an especially preferred 20 embodiment, Xaa21 is Glu. Xaa28 is selected from Ala, Asn, Gin and His. Preferably, Xaa28 is selected from Ala, Gin and His. In an especially preferred embodiment, Xaa28 is Ala or Gin, for example Xaa28 is Ala. Alternatively, Xaa28 is Gin. Xaa29 is selected from Gly and Ala. Preferably, Xaa29 is Gly. 25 Xaa33 is selected from Ser, His and Gin. For example, Xaa33 is selected from Ser and His, or alternatively Xaa33 is selected from Ser and Gin. Preferably, Xaa33 is Ser. Xaa35 is selected from Lys, Pro, His, Arg, Asn, Gin, Glu, Ser and Ala. Preferably, Xaa35 is selected from Lys, Gin, Glu, His and Asn. In an especially preferred embodiment, Xaa35 is Lys. Xaa36 is selected from Phe, His, Gin, Glu, Lys, Ser, Arg, or Xaa36 is absent. 5 Preferably, Xaa36 is absent. Xaa39 is selected from Pro or Gly. Preferably, Xaa39 is Pro. Xaa40 is Gly, orXaa40 is absent. Preferably, Xaa40 is Gly. Xaa41 is Lys, or Xaa41 is absent. Preferably, Xaa41 is Lys. In a preferred embodiment, Xaa36 is absent, and Xaa37-Xaa41 is Pro37-Pro38-Pro39-10 Gly40-Lys41 [SEQ ID NO: 533], In an alternative preferred embodiment, Xaa36 is absent, Xaa40 is absent and Xaa37-Xaa41 is Pro37-Pro38-Pro39-Lys41 [SEQ ID NO: 534], 10 07 25 15 Group Y In the compounds of the invention, the e-amino group on Lys42 is attached to the acid group of the Xaa44 residue of the Y portion of the molecule, such that the bond is an amide bond. If Xaa44 orXaa43 is absent, then the E-amino group on Lys42 is attached to the acid group of the next residue that is present: the acid group of the Z group. 20 In a lysine residue, the e-amino group is the amino group that is attached to the 6-carbon. Following standard IUPAC nomenclature, the atoms in lysine are numbered as follows, indicating the carbon atom numbering and also the a to e positions: 10 07 25 The s-amino group on Lys42 that is referred to herein is the amino group on the C-6 carbon atom as indicated. Within the Y portion of the molecule: Xaa43 may be Asn or absent; and 5 Xaa44 may be His or absent. For example, Xaa43 is Asn and Xaa44 is His; or Xaa43 is Asn and Xaa44 is absent; or Xaa43 is absent and Xaa44 is His; or both Xaa43 and Xaa44 are absent. In a preferred embodiment, Xaa43 is absent and Xaa44 is absent. For example, Y is: io Z-Asn-His-; Z-Asn-; Z-His-; or Z-. Group Z 15 Within the Z portion of the molecule, group R is an alkylene or alkenylene chain, which is linked at one end to residue Xaa43 (or, if Xaa43 is absent, Xaa44, or if both Xaa43 and Xaa44 are absent, Lys42) by the Glu residue through an amide bond. At its other end, the R alkylene or alkenylene chain is linked to the R1 acid group (CO2H). Generally, R has an even number of carbon atoms. For example, R can be an alkylene 20 or alkenylene chain that is found in naturally-occurring fatty acids. The root fatty acid has a chain length two higher than the number of carbon atoms in the R an alkylene or alkenylene chain. R is a C16-C18 alkylene or alkenylene group. For example, R is straight chain alkylene or alkenylene group. For example, R is a C16 or C18 straight chain alkylene group. For 25 example, when R is a C16, group, it can be provided by a octadecanedioic acid moiety. For example, when R is a Cis, group, it can be provided by an eicosanedioic acid moiety. 10 07 25 In a preferred embodiment, Risa C-is alkylene group. 5 In an embodiment, it is preferred that: Xaa17 is Lys; Xaa20 is Arg or His; Xaa21 is Leu or Glu; Xaa28 is Ala, Gin or His; io Xaa29 is Gly; Xaa33 is Ser Xaa35 is Lys, Glu, His, Gin orAsn; Xaa36 is absent; Xaa39 is Pro; 15 Xaa41 is Lys; Xaa43 is absent; Xaa44 is absent; and R is a Cis alkylene group. 20 In a more preferred embodiment: Xaa1 is His or Phe; Xaa3 is His or Glu; Xaa10 is Tyr or Vai; Xaa17 is Lys; 10 07 25 Xaa18 is Ala or Arg; Xaa20 is Arg or His; Xaa21 is Glu; Xaa28 is Ala or Gin; 5 Xaa35 is Lys; and Xaa40 is Gly. For example, in such an embodiment: Xaa1 is Phe; io Xaa3 is Glu; Xaa10 is Vai; Xaa18 is Arg; Xaa20 is Arg; and Xaa28 is Gin. 15 For example, such a compound can be a compound of SEQ ID No: 502. In especially preferred embodiments, the compound is one of the compounds of the invention set out in the Table of Figure 1. Derivatives and Salts 20 The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), derivatives of such compounds, and salts or solvates of such compounds and derivatives. The compounds, derivatives and salts may be produced by recombinant methods which are well-known in the art or alternatively they may be produced by synthetic methods, again which are well-known in the art. Derivatives 10 07 25 Whilst in some embodiments, the invention relates to a compound of formula (I) and is not a derivative, in other embodiments the invention relates to a derivative of a compound of formula (I). The derivative may for example comprise one or more 5 derivatisations selected from lipidization and pegylation. The structure may be modified at random positions within the molecule, or at predetermined positions within the molecule and may include one, two, three or more attached chemical moieties. Also disclosed herein are derivatives wherein the primary peptide chain of compounds io of the invention may be amidated at their C-terminal. Such a modification is very common in nature with approximately half of naturally occurring peptides, including certain gastrointestinal peptide hormones, being susceptible to amidation at their C-terminal. Disclosed herein are all of the generic and specific sequences, including in the sequence listing and drawings, in both amidated and non-amidated forms, the is amidation, where present being especially preferred on the C-terminal of the primary peptide sequence. Also disclosed herein are fusion protein derivatives, whereby the structure of formula (I) is fused to another protein or polypeptide (the fusion partner) using recombinant methods known in the art. Alternatively, such a fusion protein may be synthetically 20 synthesized by any known method. Such a fusion protein comprises the structure of formula (I). Any suitable peptide or protein can be used as the fusion partner (e.g., serum albumin, carbonic anhydrase, glutathione-S-transferase or thioredoxin, etc.). Such fusion proteins may be made by linking the carboxy-terminus of the fusion partner to the amino-terminus of the structure of formula (I) or vice versa. Optionally, a 25 cleavable linker may be used to link the structure of formula (I) to the fusion partner. A resulting cleavable fusion protein may be cleaved in vivo such that an active form of a compound of the invention is released. Examples of such cleavable linkers include, but are not limited to, the linkers Asp-Asp-Asp-Asp-Tyr [SEQ ID NO: 535], Gly-Pro-Arg, Ala-Gly-Gly and His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu [SEQ ID NO: 536], which can be cleaved by 30 enterokinase, thrombin, ubiquitin cleaving enzyme and renin, respectively. For details, 10 07 25 see for example U.S. Patent No. 6,410,707, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. A derivative disclosed herein may for example be a physiologically functional derivative of the structure of formula (I). The term “physiologically functional derivative” is used 5 herein to denote a chemical derivative of a compound of formula (I) having the same physiological function as the corresponding unmodified compound. For example, a physiologically functionally derivative may be convertible in the body to a compound of formula (I). According to the present disclosure, examples of physiologically functional derivatives include esters, amides, and carbamates; preferably esters and amides. io In addition to the derivatisation at Lys42, compounds disclosed herein can be further derivatised at additional positions. For example, pharmaceutically acceptable esters and amides of the compounds of the invention may comprise a C1-20 alkyl-, C2-20 alkenyl-, C5-10 aryl-, C5-10 ar-Ci-20 alkyl-, or amino acid- ester group or amide group attached at an appropriate site, for example formed by reaction of an alkyl, alkenyl aryl, 15 aralkyl or amino alkyl group containing an alcohol or amino moiety with an acid moiety present in the compound of formula (I), or formed by reaction of an alkyl, alkenyl aryl, aralkyl or amino alkyl group containing an activated acyl group with an alcohol or amine group present in the compound of formula (I). Examples of suitable moieties are hydrophobic substituents with 4 to 26 carbon atoms, preferably 5 to 19 carbon atoms. 20 Suitable lipid groups include fatty acids (e.g. lauroyl (C12H23), palmityl (C15H31), oleyl (C15H29) or stearyl (C17H35)) and bile acids (e.g. cholate or deoxycholate). Methods for lipidization of sulfhydryl-containing compounds with fatty acid derivatives are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,936,092; U.S. Patent No. 6,093,692; and U.S. Patent No. 6,225,445, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Fatty acid 25 derivatives of a compound of the invention comprising a compound of the invention linked to fatty acid via a disulfide linkage may be used for delivery of a compound of the invention to neuronal cells and tissues. Lipidisation markedly increases the absorption of the compounds relative to the rate of absorption of the corresponding unlipidised compounds, as well as prolonging blood and tissue retention of the compounds. 30 Moreover, the disulfide linkage in a lipidised derivative is relatively labile in the cells and 10 07 25 thus facilitates intracellular release of the molecule from the fatty acid moieties. Suitable lipid-containing moieties are hydrophobic substituents with 4 to 26 carbon atoms, preferably 5 to 19 carbon atoms. Suitable lipid groups include fatty acids (e.g. lauroyl (C12H23), palmityl (C15H31), oleyl (C15H29) or stearyl (C17H35)) and bile acids (e.g. 5 cholate or deoxycholate). Whilst lipid functionalised compounds of the invention may have benefits in certain situations, it is expected that in most cases, it will be simplest and preferred if a compound of the invention is not further derivatised, such that there are not additional lipid groups present. Cyclization methods include cyclization through the formation of a disulfide bridge, and 10 head-to-tail cyclization using a cyclization resin. Cyclized peptides may have enhanced stability, including increased resistance to enzymatic degradation, as a result of their conformational constraints. Cyclization may in particular be expedient where the uncyclized peptide includes an N-terminal cysteine group. Suitable cyclized peptides include monomeric and dimeric head-to-tail cyclized structures. Cyclized peptides may 15 include one or more additional residues, especially an additional cysteine incorporated for the purpose of formation of a disulfide bond or a side chain incorporated for the purpose of resin-based cyclization. The derivative may for example be a PEGylated structure of formula (I). Derivatives which are PEGylated compounds of the invention may provide additional advantages 20 such as increased solubility, stability and circulating time of the polypeptide, or decreased immunogenicity (see U.S. Patent No. 4,179,337, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). Chemical moieties for derivatisation of a compound of the invention may also be selected from water soluble polymers such as polyethylene glycol, ethylene 25 glycol / propylene glycol copolymers, carboxymethylcellulose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and the like. A polymer moiety for derivatisation of a compound of the invention may be of any molecular weight and may be branched or unbranched. For ease in handling and manufacturing, the preferred molecular weight of a polyethylene glycol for derivatisation of a compound of the invention is from about 1 kDa to about 100 kDa, the 30 term "about" indicating that in preparations of polyethylene glycol, some molecules will 10 07 25 weigh more, some less, than the stated molecular weight. Polymers of other molecular weights may be used, depending on the desired therapeutic profile, for example the duration of sustained release desired, the effects, if any, on biological activity, the ease in handling, the degree or lack of antigenicity and other known effects of the 5 polyethylene glycol to a therapeutic protein or analog. For example, the polyethylene glycol may have an average molecular weight of about 200, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000, 9500, 10,000, 10,500, 11,000, 11,500, 12,000, 12,500, 13,000, 13,500, 14,000, 14,500, 15,000, 15,500, 16,000, 16,500, 17,000, 17,500, 18,000, 18,500, 19,000, 19,500, 10 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 45,000, 50,000, 55,000, 60,000, 65,000, 70,000, 75,000, 80,000, 85,000, 90,000, 95,000, or 100,000 kDa. Salts Salt forms of compounds of formula (I) and of derivatives of such compounds also form is part of the invention. In some embodiments the salt is a salt of a compound of formula (I). In other embodiments the salt is a salt of a derivative of a compound of formula (I). Salts of compounds of the invention include those which are pharmaceutically acceptable, i.e. which are suitable for use in medicine. However, salts having non-pharmaceutically acceptable counterions are also within the scope of the present 20 invention, for example, for use as intermediates in the preparation of the compounds. Suitable salts according to the invention include those formed with organic or inorganic acids or bases. Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include those formed with hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric, nitric, citric, tartaric, acetic, phosphoric, lactic, pyruvic, acetic, trifluoroacetic, succinic, perchloric, fumaric, maleic, glycolic, salicylic, 25 oxaloacetic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, formic, benzoic, malonic, naphthalene-2-sulfonic, benzenesulfonic, and isethionic acids. Other acids such as oxalic acid may be useful as intermediates in obtaining the compounds of the invention in final form. 10 07 25 Pharmaceutically acceptable salts with bases include ammonium salts, alkali metal salts, for example potassium and sodium salts, alkaline earth metal salts, for example calcium and magnesium salts, and salts with organic bases, for example dicyclohexylamine and N-methyl-D-glucomine. 5 Solvates Those skilled in the art of organic and / or medicinal chemistry will appreciate that many organic compounds can form complexes with solvents in which they are reacted or from which they are precipitated or crystallized. Such complexes are known as "solvates". io For example, a complex with water is known as a "hydrate". The invention also encompasses solvates of the compounds of formula (I), solvates of derivatives of the compounds, and solvates of salts of the derivatives. Those skilled in the art of organic and / or medicinal chemistry will also appreciate than many organic compounds can exist in different forms, including as amorphous material 15 and / or in one or more crystalline forms. Different physical forms of organic compounds are known as polymorphs. The invention also encompasses all such different physical forms of the compounds of formula (I), as well as different physical forms of their derivatives and salts. 20 Biological Activity Compounds of the invention have activity at the human GLP-1 receptor and can be considered GLP-1 receptor agonists. This may be assessed by, for example, an in vitro or cellular binding assay or by a reporter assay. Preferred compounds of the invention exhibit an activity at the human GLP-1 receptor that is at least 1 / 50th that of human 25 GLP-1, preferably an activity which is at least 1 / 30th, 1 / 20th, 1 / 10th, 1 / 5th, 1 / 3rd or ½ that of human GLP-1, for example when tested in accordance with the assay described in the examples section below. 10 07 25 Methods of assessing activity at the GLP-1 receptor are well known. For example, Jones et al., Nat. Commun., 2018, 9(1), 1602 discloses a method of assaying for GLP-1 receptor binding. A specific method is described herein below. Preferred compounds of the invention are effective in promoting insulin 5 release / secretion. This may be assessed by, for example, an in vitro assay. Methods of assessing release of insulin from beta-cells are well known. Compounds of the invention fulfil some, or more preferably all, of the following criteria: 1) Sustained bioactivity at the human GLP-1 receptor resulting in inhibition of io appetite; 2) Activity in promoting insulin release from beta-cells; 3) High solubility in aqueous solution at pH 4.5 to allow an effective dose to be administered in a low volume injection (thereby resulting in lower pain of injection). Solubility may be easily assessed by simple in vitro tests; 15 4) Long period of activity in vivo (as assessed in humans or an animal model) so as to permit injections no more frequently than daily and preferably no more than twice, or more preferably no more than once a week, whilst still producing acceptable therapeutic or cosmetic benefits; 5) Good weight loss (as assessed in human subjects or an animal model); 20 6) Low antigenicity in humans. This may be assessed in humans or animal models (in particular mice which have been experimentally reconstituted with a human immune system so as to mimic human antibody repertoire) or predicted using predictive software such as that incorporating the “antigenic index” algorithm ((Jameson &Wolf (1988) Comput. Appl. Biosci. 4(1):181-6), or the PREDITOP 25 algorithm (Pellequer &Westhof, (1993) J. Mol. Graph. 11(3):204-10), or using the methods of Kolaskar &Tongaonkar (1990) FEBS Lett. 10:276(1-2):172-4, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). According to certain embodiments of the invention, especially embodiments relating to weight loss, obesity, carbohydrate metabolism and diabetes, the compounds, derivatives and salts of the invention have one, several or all of the following features: A. Sufficient solubility between pH 4 and pH 5 to permit an effective dose to be 5 administered in a volume of less than 1 ml, less than 0.5ml or less than 0.3ml; B. Activation of cAMP signalling in Chinese hamster ovary cells over-expressing the human GLP-1 Receptor; C. One, several or all of the further 1 to 6 features listed above. 10 07 25 io Pharmacokinetics, Duration of Action and Solubility Compounds of the present invention exhibit potent and prolonged duration of action in vivo following subcutaneous administration. In order to achieve this, the compounds are required to have both good activity at the biological target, and excellent pharmacokinetic properties. 15 Compounds of the present invention have a therapeutically useful duration of action and that manifests itself in the beneficial effects being observed in the experiments described herein below over several days. The half-life of compounds of the invention was assessed in a pig PK model. Preferred compounds of the invention were found to have a half-life significantly longer than semaglutide. As well as exhibiting a long in vivo 20 half-life, the compounds of the invention have good storage stability, with no significant degradation seen on storage in solution for 4 weeks at 4°C. Poor water solubility is a known problem for lipid containing molecules. In contrast, the compounds of the invention have very good solubility. Certain compounds of the invention include His residues. Incorporation of His 25 residue(s) into peptides having poor aqueous solubility typically leads to peptides having enhanced solubility at acidic pH (e.g. pH 5) due to the presence of charged His side-chain groups, but which are less soluble at physiological pH (pH 7.4). The pl of the side-chain group of histidine is about 6.0. Such properties enable formulation of His- 10 07 25 containing peptides in weakly acidic media. Upon subcutaneous injection of such formulations, the solubility falls leading to subcutaneous precipitation of peptide which resolubilises over time. Zinc-containing formulations of His-containing peptides enhance this effect, because at pH 7.4 but not at pH 5 zinc ions co-ordinate with 5 histidine residues and result in a further reduction in solubility which can contribute to increased precipitation at a subcutaneous injection site, or which can contribute to increased stability of the precipitate. However, where precipitation of peptide is not sufficiently rapid following subcutaneous administration, there may still be an initial “spike” or “burst” in blood concentration levels of the peptide. Such properties are io undesirable since they increase the possibility of subjects experiencing side effects associated with high concentration levels of the peptides, such as nausea, even if only temporary. In contrast to peptides not having the multi-His containing C-terminal sequence of the invention, the present compounds either do not display initial “spikes” or “bursts” in plasma concentration levels following subcutaneous administration or any 15 such “burst” is significantly reduced. This reduces the likelihood and / or severity of possible side effects associated with high circulating levels of the compounds. Conditions The invention also provides a compound, derivative or salt of the invention, or a 20 composition comprising the compound, derivative or salt together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally a further therapeutic agent, for use as a medicament. In an embodiment of the invention, a compound, salt or composition of the invention is provided for use in the prevention or treatment of a disease or disorder or other non-25 desired physiological state in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound, derivative or salt of the invention, or of a composition comprising the compound, derivative or salt together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally a further therapeutic agent. Preferably the compound, derivative, salt or composition is administered subcutaneously. 10 07 25 According to certain embodiments, the disease or disorder or other non-desired physiological state is diabetes or obesity, and particularly diabetes (e.g. type II diabetes). According to certain embodiments, the disease or disorder or other non-desired 5 physiological state may be the physiological state of being overweight. The subject to whom the compound is administered may be overweight, for example, obese. Alternatively, or in addition, the subject may be diabetic, for example having insulin resistance or glucose intolerance, or both. The subject may have diabetes mellitus, for example, the subject may have Type II diabetes. The subject may be io overweight, for example, obese and have diabetes mellitus, for example, Type II diabetes. In addition, or alternatively, the subject may have, or may be at risk of having, a disorder in which obesity or being overweight is a risk factor. Such disorders include, but are not limited to, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, for example hypertension, is atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, and dyslipidemia; stroke; gallbladder disease; osteoarthritis; sleep apnea; reproductive disorders for example, polycystic ovarian syndrome; cancers, for example breast, prostate, colon, endometrial, kidney, and esophagus cancer; varicose veins; acanthosis nigricans; eczema; exercise intolerance; insulin resistance; hypertension hypercholesterolemia; cholithiasis; osteoarthritis; 20 orthopedic injury; insulin resistance, for example, type 2 diabetes and syndrome X; and thromboembolic disease (see Kopelman, Nature 404:635-43, 2000; Rissanen eta / ., British Med. J. 301, 835, 1990). Other disorders associated with obesity include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, migraine headaches, PMS, chronic pain states, fibromyalgia, insomnia, impulsivity, 25 obsessive compulsive disorder, and myoclonus. Certain neurological disorders and certain firms of neurological degeneration are also associated with obesity. Furthermore, obesity is a recognized risk factor for increased incidence of complications of general anesthesia (see e. g., Kopelman, Nature 404:635-43, 2000). In general, obesity reduces life span and carries a serious risk of co-morbidities such as those 30 listed above. 10 07 25 Other diseases or disorders associated with obesity are birth defects, maternal obesity being associated with increased incidence of neural tube defects, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS); chronic venous insufficiency (CVI); daytime sleepiness; deep vein thrombosis (DVT); end stage renal disease (ESRD); gout; heat disorders; impaired 5 immune response; impaired respiratory function; infertility; liver disease; lower back pain; obstetric and gynecologic complications; pancreatitis; as well as abdominal hernias; acanthosis nigricans; endocrine abnormalities; chronic hypoxia and hypercapnia; dermatological effects; elephantitis; gastroesophageal reflux; heel spurs; lower extremity edema; mammegaly which causes considerable problems such as bra io strap pain, skin damage, cervical pain, chronic odours and infections in the skin folds under the breasts, etc.; large anterior abdominal wall masses, for example abdominal panniculitis with frequent panniculitis, impeding walking, causing frequent infections, odours, clothing difficulties, low back pain; musculoskeletal disease; pseudotumor cerebri (or benign intracranial hypertension), and sliding hiatal hernia. 15 In some embodiments, the disease or disorder may be non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. According to certain embodiments the disease or disorder or other non-desired physiological state may be being of a non-desired weight despite not being obese or overweight. The subject may be of normal weight (this includes but is not limited to subjects who were previously overweight or obese and who wish to prevent a return to 20 an unhealthy weight). A subject may be a subject who desires weight loss, for example female and / or male subjects who desire a change in their appearance. In some cases where the subject is of a normal weight, aspects of the invention may relate to cosmetic treatment rather than to therapeutic treatment. The invention also provides a compound, derivative, salt or composition of the 25 invention, for use in the treatment of obesity or diabetes. The invention also provides a compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention, for use in increasing energy expenditure of a subject, improving insulin release in a subject, improving carbohydrate tolerance in a subject and / or improving carbohydrate metabolism in a subject. Such use may relate to treating subjects having 30 a pre-diabetic state such as insulin insensitivity or pre-diabetes. 10 07 25 The invention also provides a compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention, for use in the reduction of appetite in a subject, use in the reduction of food intake in a subject, use in the reduction of calorie intake in a subject, use in improving insulin release in a subject, and / or use in improving carbohydrate tolerance in a subject. 5 Such use may relate to treating subjects having a pre-diabetic state such as insulin insensitivity or pre-diabetes. A compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention may be used for weight control and treatment, for example reduction or prevention of obesity, in particular any one or more of the following: preventing and reducing weight gain; inducing and io promoting weight loss; and reducing obesity as measured by the Body Mass Index. A compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention may be used in maintaining any one or more of a desired body weight, a desired Body Mass Index, a desired appearance and good health. The present invention may also be used in treating, prevention, ameliorating or is alleviating conditions or disorders caused by, complicated by, or aggravated by a relatively high nutrient availability. The term "condition or disorder which can be alleviated by reducing caloric (or nutrient) availability" is used herein to denote any condition or disorder in a subject that is either caused by, complicated by, or aggravated by a relatively high nutrient availability, or that can be alleviated by reducing nutrient 20 availability, for example by decreasing food intake. Subjects who are insulin resistant, glucose intolerant, or have any form of diabetes mellitus, for example, type 1,2 or gestational diabetes, can also benefit from methods in accordance with the present invention. Conditions or disorders associated with increased caloric intake include, but are not 25 limited to, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, obesity, diabetes, including type 2 diabetes, eating disorders, insulin-resistance syndromes, and Alzheimer’s disease. J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. 2011 Apr 13 (Teramoto S et al.) discusses the use of both GLP-1 and exendin-4 to confer cardioprotection after myocardial infarction and demonstrates that exendin-4 may be used to provide neuroprotection against cerebral 30 ischemia-reperfusion injury. The study showed that mice receiving a transvenous 10 07 25 injection of exendin-4, after a 60-minute focal cerebral ischemia showed significantly reduced infarct volume and improved functional deficit as well as suppressed oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and cell death after reperfusion. The study provided evidence that the protective effect of exendin-4 is mediated through increased 5 intracellular cAMP levels and suggested that exendin-4 is potentially useful in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Accordingly, the invention also provides a compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention for use as a cytoprotective agent (e.g. in treating or preventing neurodegeneration, providing neuroprotection and / or providing cardiac protection). For io example, the compound, derivative, salt or composition may be for use in myocardial protection in a subject following myocardial infarction, or for use in neuroprotection in a subject following cerebral ischemia or stroke, or for use in neuroprotection in a subject having a chronic neurodegenerative disease. In certain embodiments the disease or disorder or other non-desired physiological state is which the compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention may be used to treat or prevent is neurodegeneration. Such neurodegeneration may be caused by apoptosis, necrosis or loss of function of neuronal cells, preferably in the CNS. Neurodegeneration treated or prevented may be that following a brain injury (for example following physical trauma or following a non-traumatic injury such a stroke, 20 tumor, hypoxia, poisoning, infection, ischemia, encephalopathy or substance abuse). Alternatively or additionally, neurodegeneration may be prevented or treated in a subject having (or diagnosed as having a predisposition to) a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Gehrig’s disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Huntington’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, other 25 demyelination related disorders, senile dementia, subcortical dementia, arteriosclerotic dementia, AIDS-associated dementia, other dementias, cerebral vasculitis, epilepsy, Tourette’s syndrome, Guillain Barre Syndrome, Wilson’s disease, Pick’s disease, neuroinflammatory disorders, encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, meningitis, other central nervous system infections, prion diseases, cerebellar ataxias, cerebellar degeneration, 30 spinocerebellar degeneration syndromes, Friedrich’s ataxia, ataxia teangiectasia, spinal 10 07 25 dysmyotrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, dystonia, muscle spasticity, tremor, retinitis pigmentosa, striatonigral degeneration, mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Preferably, the neurodegenerative disease is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Gehrig’s disease 5 (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and Huntington’s disease. In such circumstances the treatment would be regarded as neuroprotective. According to certain preferred embodiments, the treatment is neuroprotective following cerebral ischemia or neuroprotective in a subject having a neurodegenerative disease or diagnosed as having a predisposition to a neurodegenerative disease. io According to other embodiments the disease or disorder or other non-desired physiological state is cardiac degeneration (in particular myocardial degeneration by apoptosis, necrosis or loss of function of myocardial cells), in which case the compound, derivative, salt or composition according to the invention provides cardiac protection. According to certain preferred embodiments that treatment is protective of myocardial 15 function following myocardiac infarction. In the case of neuroprotection, the subject may have experienced previously a brain injury, stroke or other event causing cerebral ischemia. Alternatively, the subject may have or have been diagnosed with a predisposition to develop a chronic neurodegenerative disease. In the case of cardioprotection the subject may have 20 experienced previously an event causing myocardial ischemia such as a myocardial infarction and angina. According to some embodiments a compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention may be administered as soon as possible after the subject has experienced a suspected myocardial infarction. According to certain embodiments a compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention may be administered as 25 soon as possible after the subject has experienced a suspected stroke. According to certain embodiments the compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention is to be administered parentally. According to other embodiments the compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intranasally, transdermally or 30 sublingually. According to other embodiments the compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention is administered orally. In one preferred embodiment compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention is administered subcutaneously. The compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention is preferably used in the 5 treatment of a human subject. However, while the compound, derivative, salt or composition of the invention will typically be used to treat human subjects they may also be used to treat similar or identical conditions in other vertebrates for example other primates; farm animals for example swine, cattle and poultry; sport animals for example horses; or companion animals for example dogs and cats. io 10 07 25

Claims

10 07 251. A compound having an amino acid sequence of Formula (I):Xaa1- AIB2- Xaa3-Gly4-Thr5-Phe6-Thr7-Ser8-Asp9-Xaa10-Ser11- Lys12- Gln13-Leu14- Glu15- Glu16-Xaa17-Xaa18-Val19-Xaa20-Xaa21-Phe22- Ile23- Glu24-Trp25-Leu26- Lys27-Xaa28-Xaa29-Gly30-Pro31-Ser32-Xaa33-Gly34-Xaa35-Xaa36-Pro37- Pro38-Xaa39-Xaa40-Xaa41-Lys42; (I) [SEQ ID NO: 528]whereinXaa1 is His, Tyr or Phe;Xaa3 is His, Gin or Glu;Xaa10 is Leu, Tyr or Vai;Xaa17 is Glu or Lys;Xaa18 is Ala or Arg;Xaa20 is Arg, Gin, Lys or His;Xaa21 is Leu, Ala, Arg, Lys or Glu;Xaa28 is Ala, Asn, Gin, His;Xaa29 is Gly or Ala;Xaa33 is Ser, His or Gin;Xaa35 is Lys, Pro, His, Arg, Asn, Gin, Glu, Ser or Ala;Xaa36 is Phe, His, Gin, Glu, Lys, Ser, Arg or absentXaa39 is Pro or Gly;Xaa40 is Gly or absent;Xaa41 is Lys or absent;and the lysine residue at position 42 is substituted at its s-amino group with a groupY and Y is:Z-Xaa43-Xaa44-wherein:Xaa43 is Asn or absent;Xaa44 is His or absent;and Z is a group of formula:o10 07 25wherein R is a C16-C18 alkylene or alkenylene group; andR1 is CO2H;or a derivative of the compound; wherein said derivative comprises one or more derivatisations selected from lipidization and pegylation;or a salt or solvate of the compound or the derivative.

2. A compound, derivative, salt or solvate as claimed in claim 1 wherein:Xaa17 is Lys;Xaa20 is Arg or His;Xaa21 is Leu or Glu;Xaa28 is Ala, Gin or His;Xaa29 is Gly;Xaa33 is SerXaa35 is Lys, Glu, His, Gin or Asn;Xaa36 is absent;Xaa39 is Pro;Xaa41 is Lys;Xaa43 is absent;Xaa44 is absent; andR is a Cis alkylene group10 07 253. A compound, derivative, salt or solvate as claimed in claim 2 wherein:Xaa1 is His or Phe;Xaa3 is His or Glu;Xaa10 is Tyr or Vai;Xaa17 is Lys;Xaa18 is Ala or Arg;Xaa20 is Arg or His;Xaa21 is Glu;Xaa28 is Ala or Gin;Xaa35 is Lys; andXaa40 is Gly.

4. A compound, derivative, salt or solvate as claimed in claim 1, which has an amino acid sequence corresponding to any one of the amino acid sequences listed in the Table of Figure 1.

5. A compound, derivative, salt or solvate as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 together with a further therapeutic agent, for simultaneous, sequential or separate administration.

6. A composition comprising a compound, derivative, salt or solvate as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally a further therapeutic agent.

7. A composition as claimed in claim 6, present in a syringe or other administration device for subcutaneous administration to humans.10 07 258. A compound, derivative, salt or solvate as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, or a composition as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 for use as a medicament.

9. A compound, derivative, salt or solvate as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, or a pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, for use in the prevention or treatment of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, stroke and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, improving insulin release in a subject, improving carbohydrate metabolism in a subject, improving the lipid profile of a subject, reducing appetite, reducing food intake, reducing calorie intake, improving carbohydrate tolerance in a subject, and / or for use as a cytoprotective agent.

10. A compound, derivative, salt or solvate or composition for use as a cytoprotective agent as claimed in claim 9, wherein the compound, derivative, salt or composition is for use in the prevention or treatment of neurodegeneration, providing neuroprotection and / or providing cardiac protection.

11. A compound, derivative, salt or solvate or composition for use as a cytoprotective agent as claimed in claim 10, wherein the compound, derivative, salt or composition is for providing cardiac protection in a subject following a myocardial infarction.

12. A compound, derivative, salt or solvate or composition for use as a cytoprotective agent as claimed in claim 10, wherein the compound, derivative, salt or composition is for providing neuroprotection in a subject having or diagnosed as being at risk of a chronic neurodegenerative disease.

13. A compound, derivative, salt or solvate or composition for use as claimed in claim 12, wherein the chronic neurodegenerative disease is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Gehrig’s disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Huntington’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, other demyelination related disorders, senile dementia, subcortical dementia,arteriosclerotic dementia, AIDS-associated dementia, other dementias, cerebral vasculitis, epilepsy, Tourette’s syndrome, Guillain Barre Syndrome, Wilson’s disease, Pick’s disease, neuroinflammatory disorders, encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, meningitis, other central nervous system infections, prion diseases, cerebellar ataxias, cerebellar degeneration, spinocerebellar degeneration syndromes, Friedrich’s ataxia, ataxia teangiectasia, spinal dysmyotrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, dystonia, muscle spasticity, tremor, retinitis pigmentosa, striatonigral degeneration, mitochondrial encephalomyopathies and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

14. A method of causing weight loss or preventing weight gain in a subject for cosmetic purposes comprising administration of an effective amount of a compound, derivative, salt or solvate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, or of a composition as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7.10 07 25