Novel Bile Acid Conjugates for the Treatment of NAFLD/NASH and Obesity

Background

• Fatty liver disease - Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is  a continuum of diseases that include simple steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) ultimately leading to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and/or end stage liver failure which develop in the absence of excessive alcohol intake.
• NAFLD affects 30% of the general population and 70-80% of diabetic and obesity patients. Simple steatosis is most often considered to have a benign hepatic pathological prognosis. NASH, as oppose to steatosis is pathologically characterized by the presence of steatosis and inflammation, and is related to higher morbidity and mortality.
• NASH is accounted for liver related complications, and it is one of the leading causes of liver transplantation.

 Our Innovation

• A novel bile acid related small molecule that can be used to treat NAFLD and NASH. We have synthesized   an Arginine-bile acid conjugate (CDCArg) that was tested in animal nutritional models of NAFLD and obesity.
• The compound is highly effective in preventing nutritional-induced NASH/NAFLD.
• The compound is highly effective in treating nutrition-induced NASH/NAFLD.
• The compound was effective in lowering body weight of obese high-fat diet fed mice.  

Key Features

• A novel, orally administered, treatment for NAFLD and obesity.
• Mechanism of action elucidated; Non-toxic.
• Significantly lowering lipids absorption with no effect on protein absorption.

Patent Status

Granted US 9,884,066; China 2014800421992