Intestinal FXR Agonists for Metabolic Disorder Treatment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for effective treatments for metabolic disorders, obesity, and inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions that do not require drastic lifestyle or dietary changes and can specifically target intestinal Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) to minimize side effects associated with systemic therapies.

Innovation Solution

Development of novel compounds that selectively target intestinal FXR, activating FXR receptors in the intestines to treat or prevent metabolic disorders, inflammation, cell proliferation diseases, and liver diseases, while minimizing systemic absorption to avoid side effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If systemic FXR agonists are administered to treat metabolic disorders, then beneficial effects are observed in chow-fed mice, but weight gain and glucose intolerance are exacerbated in diet-induced obesity mice

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic efficacyVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by developing compounds that selectively activate FXR receptors in the intestine rather than systemically throughout the body. This intestinal-specific activation achieves therapeutic benefits for metabolic disorders and inflammatory GI conditions while avoiding the harmful side effects of systemic FXR activation, such as exacerbated weight gain and glucose intolerance in diet-induced obesity models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the therapeutic effect by targeting a specific tissue (intestine) rather than the entire body. The compounds are designed to be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and activate FXR primarily in intestinal tissue, separating the beneficial local effects from the harmful systemic effects of FXR activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If known synthetic FXR ligands are used to treat metabolic disorders, then some therapeutic effects are achieved, but limited efficacy and exacerbated phenotypes occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic efficacyVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of FXR ligands to alter their pharmacokinetic properties. The novel compounds have reduced systemic absorption while maintaining intestinal activity, changing the distribution parameter to achieve better therapeutic effectiveness and avoid the limited efficacy and exacerbated phenotypes seen with known synthetic ligands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If FXR activation is used to treat metabolic syndrome, then glucose and lipid metabolism are regulated, but intestinal inflammation and other tissue side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetabolic regulationVSAvoidtissue side effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by designing compounds that activate FXR selectively in the intestine where they are absorbed, rather than systemically throughout all tissues. This localized activation regulates metabolic functions through intestinal FXR while avoiding harmful side effects in other tissues such as liver, muscle, and adipose tissue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3116851B1Analogs of fexaramine and methods of making and using
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 SALK INST FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES
  • EP3116851B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3116851B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~1F
  • EP3116851B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D

AI summary

Novel compounds having a formula embodiments of a method of making the same, and of a composition comprising them are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method of treating or preventing a metabolic disorder in a subject, comprising administering to a subject (e.g., via the gastrointestinal tract) a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the disclosed compounds, thereby activating FXR receptors in the intestines, and treating or preventing a metabolic disorder in the subject. Additionally disclosed are embodiments of a method of treating or preventing inflammation in an intestinal region of a subject, comprising administering to the subject (e.g., via the gastrointestinal tract) a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the disclosed compounds, thereby activating FXR receptors in the intestines, and thereby treating or preventing inflammation in the intestinal region of the subject.