3-Hydroxybutyrate Compounds for Targeted Liver Fat Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

There are no effective treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and associated conditions, and existing ketone body therapies do not specifically target liver fat reduction.

Innovation Solution

Administration of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate compounds, such as esters and oligomers, to provide a source of ketone bodies that effectively reduce liver fat levels in subjects, including those with fatty liver disease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If weight loss is recommended as treatment for fatty liver, then liver fat may improve, but the subject must maintain exercise and dietary regime which proves difficult for many

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliver fatVSAvoidmaintenance of exercise and dietary regime

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate compounds as an intermediary substance that mediates the fat reduction process. Instead of requiring subjects to directly maintain complex exercise and dietary regimes, the compound serves as a pharmacological mediator that achieves liver fat reduction through metabolic intervention, thereby simplifying the treatment approach while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If existing ketone body therapies are used, then some metabolic effects may be achieved, but they do not specifically target liver fat reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliver fatVSAvoidspecificity of therapy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the local quality principle by designing (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate compounds with specific stereochemical properties and pharmacokinetic characteristics that enable selective accumulation and action in liver tissue. The compound's molecular structure and metabolic pathway are optimized to specifically target hepatic fat metabolism rather than producing general systemic effects, thereby achieving localized therapeutic action in the liver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If liver fat is reduced in all subjects regardless of weight or health status, then public health may be improved, but the treatment must be effective across diverse populations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to all subjectsVSAvoideffectiveness of treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embodies universality by developing (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate compounds that function as a multi-functional therapeutic agent effective across diverse patient populations. The compound addresses liver fat reduction through a universal metabolic mechanism that operates independently of subject weight, age, or baseline health status, making it a universally applicable treatment that maintains reliable effectiveness across different demographic and clinical groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260007157A13-hydroxybutyrate compounds for use in reducing liver fat

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 TDELTAS

AI summary

The present invention provides a compound for use in reducing liver fat in a subject, wherein the compound is selected from:(i) (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate;(ii) an ester of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate; and(iii) an oligomer obtainable by polymerising (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate moieties;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. The compound is particularly useful in subjects suffering from a fatty liver. The compound can be used to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) or non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL).