New Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa by Reformulation of an Approved FDA Drug
Domb Abraham, HUJI, School of Medicine - IMRIC, School of Pharmacy- Institute for Drug Research
Berry Elliot, HUJI, School of Medicine - IMRIC, School of Public Health
VAN HEUKELOM Bob,
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Category |
Life Sciences and Biotechnology |
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Keywords |
Anorexia nervosa, sustained release, low dose approved drug patient compliance |
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Current development stage |
For Pharmaceutical development: TRL4 - PoC&Safety of candidate device or system is demonstrated in a defined lab or animal model |
Application
Anorexia nervosa is a highly distinctive serious mental disorder. It can affect individuals of all ages, sexes, and ethnic origins; however, adolescent girls and young adult women are at higher risk. This disorder is characterized by an intense fear of weight gain and a disturbed body image, which prompts severe dietary restriction or other weight loss behaviors such as purging or excessive physical activity. Additionally, cognitive and emotional functioning are distinctly disturbed in people with this disorder. Serious medical morbidity and psychiatric comorbidity are the norm. Quality of life is poor and the burden placed on individuals, families, and society is high.
People can be genetically dispositioned to Anorexia nervosa, as well as other contributing psychosocial and interpersonal factors that can trigger onset. The treatment to Anorexia nervosa is usually carried out in psychiatric clinic, due to the mental condition of the patients. Despite the current method of psychiatric therapy for the disease, there is still unmet treatment need for Anorexia nervosa.
Our innovation
The current invention suggests treating Anorexia nervosa by a novel approach of an approved low dose injectable drug, alone or in combination with another approved agent. The treatment would be delivered by a weekly, monthly, or trimonthly injection using a unique formulation which allows controlled release of the drug. The drug’s injectable current low rate of delivery and high effectiveness for weeks, could therefore overcome the low compliance rate often found among Anorexia nervosa patients.
Opportunity
The suggested new approach to treating Anorexia nervosa involves injection of a known drug whose effect may restore the metabolic disorder and encourage the recovery of the cerebral function of the patients. The dose to be delivered to the patients by the novel formulation is low, in accordance with the weight of the patients and their poor compliance.
