Novel Medical Uses of Thiol-Functionalized Polyglycerol Derivatives

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention covers new medical uses for thiol-functionalized polyglycerol derivatives—synthetic polymers with a polyglycerol backbone modified with one or more thiol (–SH) groups. These compounds can break the disulfide bonds that make mucus thick and sticky. As a result, they act as mucolytic agents, meaning they can reduce mucus viscosity and facilitate mucus clearance. The patent claims their use to treat diseases involving abnormal mucus production or viscosity, such as chronic respiratory or gastrointestinal disorders. The invention also includes specific chemical structures and methods for making these derivatives.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Treatment of respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, COPD, emphysema, and bronchiectasis by reducing mucus thickness.
• Management of gastrointestinal disorders involving problematic mucus, such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, steatorrhea, diarrhea, and malabsorption syndromes.
• Therapy for mucus-associated complications in mucinous neoplasms like pseudomyxoma peritonei or mucinous adenocarcinoma.
• General use as a mucolytic drug to help patients clear thick or sticky mucus in various organs (e.g., lungs, intestines).

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Potentially more effective at reducing mucus viscosity than current mucolytic agents (e.g., N-acetylcysteine), as supported by experimental results on cystic fibrosis mucus.
• Selectively reduces mucus viscosity to healthy levels, thus maintaining the protective roles and physiological function of mucus while alleviating pathological symptoms.
• Thiol-functionalized polyglycerols can be tailored (linear or dendritic, sulfate-functionalized, degree of thiolation) to optimize efficacy and minimize side effects.
• Added anti-inflammatory properties when sulfate groups are present, potentially treating both mucus and inflammation in related diseases.
• Demonstrated long-term chemical stability, supporting shelf life and practical pharmaceutical use.
• Biodegradable options exist, enhancing safety and reducing accumulation risk in the body.
• Manufacturing methods are straightforward and adaptable to different backbone types and functionalizations.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to further medical uses of a polyglycerol derivative having a linear or dendritic polyglycerol backbone and carrying at least one thiol group covalently bound to the polyglycerol backbone, namely to its use as mucolytic; to its use in treating chronic sinusitis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or bronchiectasis; and to its use in treating chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, constipation, gastrointestinal malabsorption syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, steatorrhea or diarrhea. The invention further relates to specific thiol-functionalized polyglycerol derivatives and to manufacturing methods for these polyglycerol derivatives.