ALS Therapeutic Compounds Selected by Multi-Ethnic Genomic Screening

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no effective therapeutic method for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and existing clinical trials face challenges due to the disease's diversity in progression and lack of established genome drug discovery methodologies, particularly for multiple ethnic groups.

Innovation Solution

Identification of ALS risk genotypes through genome-wide association studies and overlap enrichment analysis, leading to the use of compounds like paclitaxel, docetaxel, carfilzomib, olaparib, and nicotinamide to enhance neurite length of motor neurons, thereby developing a prophylactic and therapeutic agent for ALS.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clinical trials are conducted for ALS treatment, then therapeutic effectiveness is evaluated, but the diversity of disease progression makes it difficult to analyze results and establish effective treatment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidcomplexity of clinical trial analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach from evaluating overall disease progression to measuring specific molecular parameters (neurite length) as biomarkers. This allows for more reliable analysis of treatment effects despite the diversity in clinical progression patterns among ALS patients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex clinical trial analysis with molecular-level measurements. Instead of relying on subjective clinical assessments that are difficult to standardize, the invention uses objective molecular markers (neurite length) to evaluate treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If genome-wide association studies are performed for multiple ethnic groups, then more effective therapeutic drug candidates can be identified, but no established methodology exists for genome drug discovery across multiple races

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of drug candidate identificationVSAvoidmethodology establishment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary genome-wide association studies across multiple ethnic groups to identify risk genotypes before moving to drug development. This preliminary genetic characterization establishes a foundation that simplifies subsequent drug discovery processes and enables more efficient candidate identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal approach for genome drug discovery that can be applied across multiple ethnic groups. By establishing a multi-ethnic GWAS framework, the methodology becomes universally applicable for identifying therapeutic candidates in diverse populations, eliminating the need for separate studies for each ethnic group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If new therapeutic compounds are developed for ALS, then treatment effectiveness may be improved, but development time and cost are significant barriers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoiddrug development time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses neurite length as an intermediary biomarker to quickly assess treatment effects in preclinical models. This intermediary measure provides rapid feedback on compound effectiveness without requiring lengthy clinical trials, thereby reducing overall development time while maintaining reliability of effectiveness assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through biomarker measurement (neurite length) that provide early indication of treatment response. This feedback allows for rapid iteration and optimization of compound candidates, significantly reducing the time needed to identify effective treatments compared to traditional development approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4702976A1Agent for preventing and/or treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 AICHI MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
  • EP4702976A1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~2(d)
  • EP4702976A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4(d)
  • EP4702976A1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~5(d)

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel, docetaxel, carfilzomib, olaparib, and nicotinamide.