EPA-E and Hormone Therapy for NASH Treatment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current therapies are inadequate for effectively slowing down or altering the progression of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition characterized by fatty liver disease, inflammation, and potential scarring, with limited treatment options available.

Innovation Solution

Administration of a therapeutically effective amount of ethyl eicosapentanoate (EPA-E) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in combination with estrogen, progesterone, or progestin, which can comprise at least 40% of the fatty acids and derivatives, to treat fatty liver diseases such as NASH, particularly in pre-menopausal women or those with specific serum estrogen levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional therapies are used for NASH, then treatment options are limited, but disease progression cannot be effectively slowed or altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment options
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter by using ethyl eicosapentanoate (EPA-E) instead of conventional therapies, achieving effective treatment of NASH with improvement in NAS scores and steatosis scores

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines EPA-E with hormone replacement therapy (estrogen, progesterone, or progestin) to create a composite treatment regimen that enhances therapeutic effect while providing multiple benefits including improvement in liver histology and reduction of inflammation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If EPA-E or EPA is administered at high concentration (at least 40% by weight), then therapeutic effect is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a precise concentration parameter (at least 40% by weight of EPA-E or EPA in total fatty acids) to ensure therapeutic effectiveness while maintaining manageable formulation complexity through defined compositional parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If hormone replacement therapy is combined with EPA-E, then therapeutic benefit is enhanced, but treatment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic benefitVSAvoidtreatment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges EPA-E treatment with hormone replacement therapy (estrogen, progesterone, or progestin) into a single combined therapeutic regimen, providing synergistic benefits for NASH treatment while managing complexity through integrated administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3054940B1Compositions and methods for treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 MOCHIDA PHARM CO LTD
  • EP3054940B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3054940B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3054940B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Compositions and methods for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and related disorders are provided herein, for example in women under 50 or pre-menopausal women.