Patent focus on new anti-obesity agents: September 1999-February 2000

This review highlights novel anti-obesity agents that have appeared in the patent literature between September 1999 - February 2000. New treatments un der development seek to promote weight loss and prevent weight gain by decr easing food intake (neuropeptide Y1 and Y5 receptor antagonists, melanocort in-4 receptor agonists and orexin-1 receptor antagonists), increasing therm ogenesis (beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists) or blocking fat absorption (pancre atic lipase inhibitors). These therapies target neuroendocrine, serotonergi c, adrenergic and gastrointestinal pathways that play important roles in th e regulation of energy homeostasis. Several proteins with potentially impor tant implications for this field are also described.