SGLT2 Inhibitor Dosing for Insulin-Independent Glycemic Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for type 2 diabetes mellitus, such as metformin and sulfonylureas, provide limited glycemic control and are associated with cardiovascular complications, leading to inadequate treatment of the disease and increased risk of long-term complications.

Innovation Solution

The use of the SGLT2 inhibitor 1-chloro-4-(β-D-glucopyranos-1-yl)-2-[4-((S)-tetrahydrofuran-3-yloxy)-benzyl]-benzene, administered orally at a dosage of 10 mg once daily, to inhibit renal glucose reuptake and improve glycemic control by promoting urinary glucose excretion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If intensive treatment with metformin, sulfonylureas or insulin is used, then glycemic control is improved, but cardiovascular disease risk increases and long-term efficacy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglycemic controlVSAvoidcardiovascular disease risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the therapeutic parameter from insulin-based mechanisms (metformin, sulfonylureas) to SGLT2 inhibition, which operates through a different physiological pathway (urinary glucose excretion). This parameter change achieves glycemic control improvement while avoiding the cardiovascular harm associated with conventional treatments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The SGLT2 inhibitor acts as an intermediary substance that blocks glucose reabsorption in the kidney, creating a new mechanism for glycemic control that does not rely on insulin secretion or sensitivity improvement, thereby avoiding the cardiovascular side effects of conventional therapies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional oral antidiabetic drugs are used, then initial glycemic control is achieved, but long-term efficacy deteriorates due to beta-cell function decline

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial glycemic controlVSAvoidlong-term efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to preserve beta-cell function or improve insulin sensitivity (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the strategy by directly excreting glucose through the urine via SGLT2 inhibition, bypassing the beta-cell entirely and maintaining efficacy regardless of beta-cell function deterioration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If multiple daily glucose measurements and insulin injections are required, then glycemic control is maintained, but treatment complexity and patient burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglycemic controlVSAvoiddosing convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The SGLT2 inhibitor enables self-service glycemic control by automatically promoting glucose excretion through urine based on plasma glucose levels, eliminating the need for patient monitoring and adjustment of therapy. The drug works autonomously to maintain glycemic control without requiring multiple daily measurements or injections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach effectively improves glycemic control, reduces weight, and prevents the progression of diabetes-related complications by maintaining pancreatic beta-cell function and reducing cardiovascular risk without insulin dependency.

Implementation Method 1

Reuptake of filtered glucose across epithelial cells of the kidney proceeds via sodium-dependent glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) located in the brush-border membranes in the tubuli along the sodium gradient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSodium-dependent glucose cotransport:

Implementation Method 2

SGLT2 inhibition will partially inhibit the reuptake of glucose from the glomerular filtrate into the blood leading to a decrease in blood glucose concentrations and to glucosuria

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOsmotic diuresis: Osmosis

Data Source

PatentEP2396005B1SGLT2 inhibitor for improving glycemic control
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INT GMBH
  • EP2396005B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2396005B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2396005B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The invention relates to the treatment or prevention of one or more conditions selected from type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia using a SGLT-2 inhibitor. In addition the present invention relates to methods for preventing or treating of metabolic disorders and related conditions.