Levoketoconazole Enantiomer Selection for CAH Hormone Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for congenital adrenal hyperplasia and primary aldosteronism, such as 11-hydroxylase deficiency, are inadequate, as they often exacerbate the underlying hormonal imbalances and have adverse effects like hepatotoxicity.

Innovation Solution

Administering a therapeutically effective amount of the 2S,4R ketoconazole enantiomer, substantially free of the 2R,4S enantiomer, to treat these conditions, thereby reducing the production of androgen excess and aldosterone without increasing 11-deoxycorticosterone secretion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If racemic ketoconazole is used to treat congenital adrenalhyperplasia, then androgen excess is reduced, but 11-DOC burden is exacerbated and hepatotoxicity occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveandrogen excessVSAvoid11-DOC burden and hepatotoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The racemic ketoconazole mixture is segmented into its two enantiomer components (2S,4R and 2R,4S). The invention isolates and uses only the therapeutically active 2S,4R enantiomer, separating it from the 2R,4S enantiomer that causes harmful side effects. This segmentation allows selective achievement of therapeutic benefits while avoiding adverse effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful 2R,4S enantiomer is extracted and removed from the therapeutic mixture. The invention uses purified 2S,4R ketoconazole enantiomer that is substantially free of the 2R,4S enantiomer, taking out only the beneficial component while eliminating the source of hepatotoxicity and 11-DOC exacerbation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If current treatments are used for 11-hydroxylase deficiency, then androgen production is inhibited, but adrenal insufficiency worsens due to increased 11-DOC

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveandrogen production inhibitionVSAvoidadrenal function stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the ketoconazole molecule into enantiomers and selects only the 2S,4R form that provides androgen inhibition without adversely affecting 11-DOC production. This selective segmentation maintains adrenal function stability while achieving therapeutic androgen suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the stereochemical parameter of ketoconazole from a racemic mixture to a purified single enantiomer (2S,4R). This parameter change fundamentally alters the drug's interaction with steroidogenic enzymes, achieving androgen inhibition while preserving normal 11-DOC production and adrenal function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3863634B1Levoketoconazole for treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 STRONGBRIDGE DUBLIN LTD
  • EP3863634B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3863634B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3863634B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

Disclosed are methods for treating congenital adrenal hyperplasia or primary aldosteronism in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of 2S,4R ketoconazole enantiomer substantially free of the 2R,4S ketoconazole enantiomer to said subject. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of 2S,4R ketoconazole enantiomer substantially free of the 2R,4S ketoconazole enantiomer for use in treating a disease or condition associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia or primary aldosteronism.