nir-vana innovation network

Overweight and obesity are defined as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of white adipose tissue (WAT) that can be detrimental to health. Consequently, both factors are associated with an increased risk of developing some non-communicable diseases (type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, some types of cancer and musculoskeletal disorders, among others).

Although the main strategies used to contain them can trigger a reduction in body weight, it is not possible to ensure in particular cases that this loss links to a reduction only in WAT. On the other hand, the drugs commonly used against type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome or obesity generate very different results among the population and, in some cases, can cause harmful side effects, such as a loss of muscle mass. This fact raises the need for other options that reduce this fat tissue without losing muscle mass or other side effects.

In this sense, researchers from a Spanish university have worked on the administration of β-resorcylic acid and propose its use to prevent the accumulation of WAT or to reduce its content, preserving the content of skeletal muscle mass at the same time. The technology bases on a novel mechanism of action in which β-RA exerts its effect, affecting the hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the WAT.

Its use offers a strategy, both therapeutic and non-therapeutic, aimed at combating and/or preventing overweight and/or obesity, in addition to other associated conditions (accumulation of lipid drops in the liver, hepatic steatosis, etc.).

The researchers have developed a pharmaceutical composition and a nutraceutical composition, which comprise the compound in question, useful for the prevention and/or treatment of these factors and other diseases linked to their development. They are looking for partners from the pharmaceutical or nutraceutical industry interested in licensing this patented technology.

Advantages & innovations

- Reduction of white adipose tissue (WAT) without affecting the content of muscle mass. The reduction or prevention of accumulation of brown adipose tissue occurs without altering the skeletal muscle mass content. - Effect on being overweight and/or obese. The use of the compound raises a strategy (therapeutic and non-therapeutic) aimed to prevent overweight and/or obesity and, also, to treat these factors and other related diseases. - Preventive effect on hepatic steatosis and appearance of characteristics of non-alcoholic fatty liver. - Effective agent throughout the population. The effect is exerted regardless of the nutritional condition of the individual. - Low cost of raw material. Β-resorcylic acid is a natural compound present in various plants, the production of which is inexpensive. - Production of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compositions. With β-resorcylic acid in its content, they allow its application for therapeutic and non-therapeutic use, respectively.

Stage of development

Under development/lab tested

Partner sought

The university is looking for companies from the pharma or nutraceutical industry or related to the treatment of obesity, overweight and other diseases associated with these, in order to reach a license agreement for the patented technology.