Dictionary
ABSORPTION
Uptake of an active compound in the body, eg through the gastrointestinal tract or the skin.
AGONIST
A compound that has a stimulating effect.
ANTAGONIST
A compound that has inhibiting/blocking effect, i.e. a compound that counteract the effect of the antagonist.
ATHEROGENESIS PARTICLES
Particles containing blood lipids, like for example LDL cholesterol which can cause atherosclerosis.
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Atherosclerosis originates from deposits of fatty substances such as cholesterol and calcium. The atherosclerotic process may begin early in life and over time lead to a build-up known as plaque, which hardens as people get older. The consequences are restricted blood flow, especially in arteries and areas where the blood vessels branch. There is also increased risk of blood clot formation. When this occurs in the heart, the result is a heart attack and, in the brain, a stroke. Blood flow in the extremities may also be restricted, which causes pain during exercise.
BLOCKBUSTER
A product with total sales exceeding 1 BN USD.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Examples of diseases that fall within this category are congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia (any deviation from the normal sinus rhythm of the heart). Elevated lipids in the blood, hyper-cholesterolemia, is a risk factor associated with cardiovascular diseases.
CD Candidate drug.
A compound which has desired effects in relevant animal models and which therefore is further developed towards clinical development.
CLINICAL STUDY
Testing and evaluation of pharmaceuticals in humans.
CNS
Central Nervouse System.
DYSLIPIDEMIA
Imbalance in lipid/cholesterol metabolism.
ECF
Equity Credit Facility.
EMA
European Medicines Agency.
ER
Receptor for the estrogen hormone. Exists in two forms, alpha and beta.
ER BETA
A new form of the estrogen receptor. The discovery of this receptor can lead to new treatment principles in women’s health care, inflammatory conditions and cancer.
ESTROGEN
Female sex hormone.
GLUCOCORTICOID
The hormone that is the natural ligand to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) hhormone and is produced in the adrenal cortex, and thus also referred to as adrenocortical hormone. The hormone regulates the body’s use of carbohydrates, fat and protein and is a normal response to stress. Compounds that activates the receptor are known as glucocorticoid.
GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTOR (GR)
The receptor for glucocorticoid hormone.
HORMONE
Compound secreted from the body’s glands and transported through the blood to the organ in which it has its effects.
HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA (HIGH CHOLESTEROL)
Elevated levels of blood lipids, cholesterol.
HYPERLIPIDEMIA
High levels of blood lipids (includes cholesterol).
INDICATION
Disease and patient category intended for medical treatment.
INSULINE
Hormone that regulates the level of blood sugar and responsible for uptake of blood sugar in tissue.
LDL
Low Density Lipoprotein particles (the “bad cholesterol”).
LEAD COMPOUND
A compound that has the desired activity in vitro and in relevant animal models.
LIGAND
A substance, for example, a hormone or compound that binds with a receptor protein.
LIPIDS
Fat components.
LIVER SELECTIVE
A compound which preferentially acts in the liver.
LXR
Liver X Receptor, regulates cholesterol metabolism and is target for new drugs against for example atherosclerosis and inflammation.
MAA
Market Approval Application, application to register a new drug in EU.
METABOLIC SYNDROME
Collective name for obesity, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
NDA
New drug application. Application for registration of a new drug in the US.
NUCLEAR RECEPTORS
Receptors inside a cell that bind to ligands (often hormones) and regulate gene transcription.
PHARMACOKINETICS
Studies of uptake, break down and excretion of pharmaceuticals.
PHASE IA
A first clinical study phase where the compound is given as a single dose to healthy volunteers with the primary objective to study safety and pharmacokinetics.
PHASE IB
Has the same objective as Phase Ia but with repeated dosing.
PHASE IIa
The first clinical studies in chosen patient category for which the drug is evaluated.
PHASE IIb
Broader clinical studies in patients with the objective to determine effective dosing and safety before Phase III studies.
PHASE III
Clinical studies conducted with a large patient population for which the drug is developed. The primary objective is to assure safety and confirm effect in a large data base of a selected patient category under long time treatment. The aim with this part of clinical development is to assure that the launched product is safe in clinical practice.
PRECLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
These tests are required to gain the permission of the authorities to test the compounds on human beings.
PROOF OF CONCEPT
Proof for intended effect of a drug in patients.
RECEPTOR
A protein on the cell surface or inside the cell that recognizes and binds to ligands, for example, steroid hormones. Receptors start or stop biological processes when they bind to ligands.
STAD
Selective Thyroid hormone Agonist for treatment of Dyslipidemia.
STATIN
Drugs used for lowering of elevated levels of blood cholesterol.
THERAPY
Disease treatment method.
TISSUE
A collection of cells specialized to perform a particular function. The cells may be of the same type or of different types. Aggregates of tissue constitute organs.
TRIGLYCERIDS
Fat made up of glycerol and fat acids.
TYPE 2 DIABETES
A form of diabetes, which develops in adult and often obese patients.
