Boehringer to use Circuit optogenetics technology to develop new obesity drugs

The earlier collaboration between the two firms focused on the discovery of new treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, while the new three-year deal will focus on investigating new medicines for metabolic disorders.

The optogenetics technology will be used to discover targets in central nervous circuits relevant for obesity, and central and peripheral circuits relevant for coordinating food intake.

The new collaboration is intended to strengthen Boehringer’s pipeline in the cardiometabolic disease research and development.

Eating disorders are among the major contributing factors for the development of overweight and obesity which are major risk factors for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and other health problems.

Boehringer Research and Non-clinical Development senior corporate vice-president Dr Michel Pairet said: "Boehringer Ingelheim is excited about the potential of the optogenetics technology platform developed by Circuit and wants to carry on the success already achieved in the area of neurology into the area of metabolism.

"This new technology may enable us to unravel the neurological circuits responsible for metabolic disorders down to individual neurons which could lead to the identification of new targets and subsequently new treatments in line with our corporate vision of improving patients’ lives."

The insights will also allow the prioritization of new targets with a potential for therapeutic intervention superior to current standard of care in obesity.

Image: Boehringer Ingelheim’s corporate headquarters in Ingelheim, Germany. Photo: courtesy of Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH.