Proprietary mitochondrial uncoupler compounds for metabolic
This technology covers a family of novel small-molecule drugs designed to act as 'mitochondrial uncouplers' — meaning they gently reduce the efficiency of the cellular energy-production process, causing cells to burn more fuel (fat, glucose) without producing as much usable energy. By safely dialing down this efficiency, the compounds can force the body to consume excess stored energy. The patent covers dozens of specific chemical compounds and their pharmaceutical formulations, targeting conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease (NASH/NAFLD), insulin resistance, and even Parkinson's disease and heart failure.
What you could build
A prescription drug candidate for obesity, NASH, or type 2 diabetes built on one or more of these proprietary compounds; the buyer would be a pharmaceutical company or biotech with a metabolic disease pipeline looking to in-license or acquire a novel mechanism-of-action asset.
Who in Virginia should care
Pharma/biotech companies and CROs operating in the Northern Virginia/DC corridor, or those partnered with Virginia university medical systems, would be logical early partners for licensing or sponsored research.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Kyle HOEHN, Webster L. SANTOS, Elizabeth S. CHILDRESS, Yumin DAI, Jacob MURRAY, Jose SANTIAGO-RIVERA
- Granted
- February 13, 2024
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11896591
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.