Technology Offer

Ref: 05 ES MAOT 0C43

Date: 17/03/2005 17:09:02

Title: New therapeutic applications for retinoid-type compounds

Abstract: A Spanish public research centre has identified a new use for retinoid-type compounds. These compounds can modulate the uncoupling proteins’ (UCP) activity and increase or decrease heat dissipation in cells. These compounds could be used in the treatment of obesity or cachexia present in cancer patients. The institution is looking for an industrial partner for further development and/or a license agreement with a pharmaceutical industry.

Description: Retinoids, and particularly retinoic acid, are known as natural molecules with important effects on cell differentiation. Retinoic acid (vitamin A acid) has found a very effective application in the treatment of severe forms of acne. The new therapeutic applications considered for retinoic acid point towards another field, i.e. that of disorders and diseases associated to the increase or decrease of the expression or the activity of uncoupling proteins. Cellular respiration is a mechanism of oxidation of carbonated compounds, which releases energy. It takes place in the mitochondria, which are the organs responsible for cellular respiration. The so released energy is captured by the organism in diverse forms, particularly the synthesis of living matter, cell preservation, etc. If recovery of the energy is defective, oxidation continues but a major proportion of this energy is immediately dissipated as heat. Rupture of the link between respiration and energy recovery at mitochondria level is named uncoupling. The excessive production of heat can be regulated by two types of mechanisms: a) Through regulation of the genes encoded for certain proteins called uncoupling proteins or UCP proteins b) Through direct activation of the same proteins Various UCP proteins have already been identified as responsible for uncoupling respiration and thus for dissipation of a portion of the energy as heat in mammals. This activity is of major relevance as UCP proteins can be considered therapeutic targets for the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases associated to the regulation of energy consumption. The inventors describe in a patent application that it was possible to act on uncoupling proteins by using retinoid-type compounds. Thus, retinoid-type compounds can be used to prepare a medicament being capable of in vivo modulating the uncoupling activity. UCP proteins could be a good target for development of new anti-obesity compounds or for treatment of cachexia in cancer patients. It is important to stress that obesity is a major problem in the majority of industrialised countries, in such a degree that obesity is frequently associated to serious pathologies such as some type of diabetes or even to hypertension. Innovative Aspects: The use of already known compounds for treatment of new pathologies. The use of already known compounds for treatment of new pathologies, which are designated as physiological disorders. Examples of these types of pathologies include among others, obesity or cachexia in cancer patients. For a company that already produces these compounds, this could be a good opportunity to increase its market.