SGLT2 Inhibitor Compositions for Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients, particularly those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome, are inadequate, with PDE5 inhibitors showing impaired response rates and intracavernosal injections of alprostadil being invasive and painful.

Innovation Solution

Administering a Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, such as empagliflozin, to improve glycemic control and treat erectile dysfunction by enhancing erectile responses in diabetic patients, potentially combined with PDE5 inhibitors or alprostadil.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PDE5 inhibitors are used to treat erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients, then erectile function is improved, but response rates are impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse rateVSAvoideffectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pharmacological parameter by switching from PDE5 inhibitors to SGLT2 inhibitors, which have a different mechanism of action. SGLT2 inhibitors work by blocking glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to glucosuria and reduced blood glucose levels, which independently improves erectile function in diabetic patients without the limitations of PDE5 inhibitors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces SGLT2 inhibitors as an intermediary treatment that mediates between diabetes management and erectile function improvement. By controlling blood glucose levels through SGLT2 inhibition, the treatment indirectly improves erectile function through multiple mechanisms including reduced oxidative stress and improved vascular health.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If intracavernosal injections of alprostadil are used to treat erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients, then erectile function is improved, but the treatment becomes invasive and painful

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerectile functionVSAvoidinvasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical injection system with a pharmaceutical system. Instead of requiring intracavernosal injections, the treatment uses oral SGLT2 inhibitors that work systemically through glucose control mechanisms, eliminating the need for invasive procedures while maintaining erectile function improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The SGLT2 inhibitor treatment enables the body to self-regulate erectile function through glucose-controlled mechanisms. The drug works by allowing kidneys to excrete excess glucose, which naturally improves vascular health and erectile function without requiring external mechanical intervention or injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If SGLT2 inhibitors are administered to improve glycemic control, then blood glucose is reduced, but the pro-erectile effect is enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood glucose levelVSAvoiderectile function

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent demonstrates that SGLT2 inhibitors have multi-functionality: they primarily control blood glucose levels by blocking glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, but simultaneously improve erectile function through secondary mechanisms including reduced oxidative stress, improved vascular health, and enhanced nitric oxide availability. This dual benefit makes the treatment universally applicable to both diabetes management and erectile dysfunction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The SGLT2 inhibitor demonstrates a pro-erectile effect, improving glycemic control and reducing blood pressure, offering a non-invasive and effective treatment option for diabetic patients with erectile dysfunction.

Implementation Method 1

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSodium-Glucose Cotransport:

Implementation Method 2

enhancing erectile responses in diabetic patients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNitric Oxide cGMP pathway:

Data Source

PatentUS12427161B2Methods for treating and pharmaceutical compositions

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INT GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to methods for improving glycemic control and for treating erectile dysfunction in a patient diagnosed with prediabetes, type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome wherein a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor is administered to the patient. Furthermore the invention relates to a method for improving a treatment of erectile dysfunction in a male patient diagnosed with prediabetes, type 1 diabetes mellitus or type 2 diabetes mellitus characterized in that in addition to the treatment of erectile dysfunction a SGLT2 inhibitor is administered to the patient. The invention also relates a pharmaceutical composition comprising a SGLT2 inhibitor and a compounds selected from the group consisting of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors or alprostadil.