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 under development seek to promote weight loss and prevent weight gain by decreasing food intake (neuropeptide Y1 and Y5 receptor antagonists, melanocortin-4 receptor agonists and orexin-1 receptor antagonists), increasing thermogenesis (beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists) or blocking fat absorption (pancreatic lipase inhibitors). These therapies target neuroendocrine, serotonergic, adrenergic and gastrointestinal pathways that play important roles in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Several proteins with potentially important implications for this field are also described.