Nano-Technology Enabled Repositioning of Cannabinoids for Treating NAFLD

Introduction

Obesity is a catalyst for numerous conditions; the most notable is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), for which currently no drug therapy has been approved by the FDA and EMA for its treatment.

The Role of the Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system triggers the development of obesity and its related comorbidities, specifically NAFLD. eCBs, via activating the cannabinoid-1 receptors (CB1Rs) in the liver, increase hepatic glucose production, insulin resistance, and de novo lipogenesis, and decrease fatty acid oxidation.

Current Challenges

Accordingly, globally-acting CB1R blockers improve these parameters both in rodents and humans. However, owing to their neuropsychiatric side effects, they were withdrawn from the market and are no longer available for clinical use.

Project Overview

NANOFLD aims to revive their clinical development and testing by utilizing an innovative nanometric drug delivery system for the hepatic targeting of globally-acting CB1R blockers for treating NAFLD.

Research Background

In the framework of my ERC-StG grant, CaNanoBinoids, my team successfully encapsulated the first-in-class CB1R blocker, rimonabant, in nanoparticles (NPs), tested their stability, efficacy, and potency, and demonstrated their therapeutic potential in ameliorating NAFLD, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia in mice.

Future Steps

To further translate our findings into clinical practice, the present PoC application builds on and expands this avenue of research by achieving several necessary steps including:

1. Biodistribution
2. Hepatic cellular fate
3. PK studies of our novel nanometric drug delivery system

Intellectual Property and Market Assessment

Importantly, we have secured the IP, conducted a specific market assessment, targeted regulatory constraints, implemented a business development plan, consulted with professionals in the field, and developed contacts with industry.

Expected Outcomes

When this project is completed, we expect to have introduced a unique innovation to treat NAFLD and its metabolic abnormalities, further promoting the idea to clinically test CB1R blockers encapsulated in NPs against NAFLD.