Hydroxybutyrate ester and medical use thereof

US10051880B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED · GB
• The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services · US

Inventors

• Kieran Clarke · Felton, GB
• Richard Lewis Veech · Rockville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 10, 2013
• Grant date: Aug 21, 2018
• Expiry date: Apr 19, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07B2200/07
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A compound which is 3-hydroxybutyl 3-hydroxybutyrate enantiomerically enriched with respect to (3R)-hydroxybutyl (3R)-hydroxybutyrate of formula (I) is an effective and palatable precursor to the ketone body (3R)-hydroxybutyrate and may therefore be used to treat a condition which is caused by, exacerbated by or associated with elevated plasma levels of free fatty acids in a human or animal subject, for instance a condition where weight loss or weight gain is implicated, or to promote alertness or improve cognitive function, or to treat, prevent or reduce the effects of neurodegeneration, free radical toxicity, hypoxic conditions or hyperglycaemia.