Edinburgh granted patent rights to help tackle obesity

31 October 2006

The University of Edinburgh has been granted key claims by the US Patent Office relating to the use of inhibitors to a key enzyme that is involved in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and obesity.

11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitors can be used for the treatment of such medical conditions, as well as cognitive dysfunction. This patent was filed on the basis of research by Professors Brian Walker, Jonathan Seckl and colleagues at the University's internationally renowned Endocrinology Unit with the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, who elucidated the potential therapeutic utility of inhibiting this enzyme. The research was sponsored by the Wellcome Trust, and the patent is managed by the Trust's Technology Transfer Division.

Biomedical research at University of Edinburgh was rated 14th in the world and fourth in Europe this month by the Times Higher Education Supplement.

Professor Walker commented: "The ultimate goal of any clinical researcher is to improve human health. Jonathan Seckl and I are delighted that research from our group has led to this exciting method for tackling the enormous health burden of obesity and its complications."

Ted Bianco, Director of Technology Transfer at the Wellcome Trust said: "We are pleased to have achieved US grant of key claims of this patent which acknowledges the innovation of the research from this leading group that has been supported by the Trust over the last 15 years. Those with an interest in a non-exclusive license to this patent should contact Technology Transfer at the Wellcome Trust in the first instance."

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Notes to editors

The Wellcome Trust is the most diverse biomedical research charity in the world, spending about £450 million every year both in the UK and internationally to support and promote research that will improve the health of humans and animals. The Trust was established under the will of Sir Henry Wellcome, and is funded from a private endowment, which is managed with long-term stability and growth in mind.