Small-Molecule ROR Modulators for NASH Metabolic Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for liver diseases such as cirrhosis, liver fibrosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH), hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury, and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) lack effective modulators targeting retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors (RORs) to manage metabolic disorders and associated conditions.

Innovation Solution

Development of small molecule modulators, including agonists, repressors, inverse agonists, and antagonists, targeting RORα, RORβ, or RORγ to modulate ROR activity, thereby regulating ROR target genes involved in metabolism and liver disease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current treatments for liver diseases are used, then existing therapeutic options are available, but effective modulators targeting RORs to manage metabolic disorders are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidavailability of ROR-targeting modulators
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the ROR receptor family into three distinct isoforms (RORα, RORβ, RORγ) and develops specific modulators for each, allowing targeted treatment of different metabolic disorders associated with each isoform's expression pattern and function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces small molecule modulators as intermediaries that bind to ROR receptors to induce conformational changes, thereby recruiting co-activator or co-repressor proteins to regulate transcription of metabolic genes involved in liver disease pathogenesis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If ROR modulators are developed to treat liver diseases, then new therapeutic options are available, but the complexity of nuclear receptor modulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of ROR-targeting modulatorsVSAvoidcomplexity of modulation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes parameter changes in the ligand-binding domain conformation upon modulator binding, which triggers a cascade of conformational changes leading to co-activator/co-repressor recruitment and transcriptional regulation, thereby simplifying the complex modulation mechanism into a controllable parameter-based system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3787631B1Modulators of orphan nuclear receptors for NASH and other metabolic disorders
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 HADASIT MEDICAL RESEARCH SERVICES & DEVELOPMENT LTD
  • EP3787631B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3787631B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3787631B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Compounds, compositions and methods for modulating retinoic acid receptor-like orphan receptors (ROR) and associated diseases. Methods for treatment or prophylaxis of metabolic disorders, liver disorders or diseases, including NASH, immune disorders, central nervous system disorders, or cancer are disclosed.