Formula I Compound for Drusen Removal in Macular Degeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current therapies for age-related macular degeneration, particularly exudative and atrophic forms, are inadequate in preventing or treating the disease, as they focus on vascular regression rather than addressing the precursor lesions, drusen, which are key to disease progression.

Innovation Solution

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I), which can remove or suppress the formation of drusen, thereby treating and preventing age-related macular degeneration, administered orally to effectively target and manage drusen accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vascular regression therapy (anti-VEGF agent or photodynamic therapy) is applied to treat exudative age-related macular degeneration, then neovascularization can be regressed, but prognosis remains poor and vision improvement is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprognosisVSAvoidvision improvement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by administering compounds that suppress drusen formation and stabilize retinal pigment epithelium before neovascularization occurs. This preventive approach targets the root cause (drusen accumulation) rather than treating the established disease, thereby improving prognosis and visual outcomes by intervening at an earlier stage when the disease is more reversible

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of repair

If therapy focuses on treating established neovascularization, then vascular regression can be achieved, but the ability to prevent disease progression is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevascular regressionVSAvoiddisease prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention shifts focus from treating established neovascularization to preliminary prevention by targeting drusen formation and retinal pigment epithelium stability. Compounds of formula (I) are administered to suppress drusen accumulation and prevent the cascade that leads to neovascularization, thereby maintaining disease prevention capability while still allowing for vascular regression treatment when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If no therapy is available for atrophic age-related macular degeneration, then current treatment options are limited, but this represents a gap in effective therapy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment optionsVSAvoideffective therapy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies universality by developing compounds of formula (I) that have broad applicability across different forms of age-related macular degeneration. These compounds can suppress drusen formation and stabilize retinal pigment epithelium in both exudative and atrophic forms, providing a universal therapeutic approach that addresses the common underlying pathology of drusen accumulation and RPE dysfunction

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

Data Source

PatentEP2959903B1Medicine for treating eye disease
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 KYOTO UNIV
  • EP2959903B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2959903B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2959903B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for removing drusen, suppressing formation of drusen, and/or treating and/or preventing age-related macular degeneration comprising the compound of formula (I) wherein Ra is independently selected from the group consisting of halo, hydroxy, alkyl, halo-substituted alkyl, aryl, halo- or alkyl-substituted aryl, alkoxy, hydroxy- or carboxy-substituted alkoxy, aryloxy, halo- or alkyl-substituted aryloxy, CHO, C(O)-alkyl, C(O)-aryl, C(O)-alkyl-carboxyl, C(O)-alkylene-carboxy ester and cyano, and m is an integer selected from 0 to 4.