An updated patent review of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors (2021-present)

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are strongly interlinked with the progression and mechanisms of several life-threatening diseases including cancer. Thus, novel MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) as promising drug candidates can be effective in combating these diseases. However, no MMPIs are marketed to date due to poor pharmacokinetics and lower selectivity. Therefore, this review was performed to study the newer MMPIs patented after the COVID-19 period for an updated perspective on MMPIs.

Areas covered

This review highlights patents related to MMPIs, and their therapeutic implications published between January 2021 and August 2023 available in the Google Patents, Patentscope, and Espacenet databases.

Expert opinion

Despite various MMP-related patents disclosed up to 2020, newer patent applications in the post-COVID-19 period decreased a lot. Besides major MMPs, other isoforms (i.e. MMP-3 and MMP-7) have gained attention recently for drug development. This may open up newer dimensions targeting these MMPs for therapeutic advancements. The isoform selectivity and bioavailability are major concerns for effective MMPI development. Thus, adopting theoretical approaches and experimental methodologies can unveil the development of novel MMPIs with improved pharmacokinetic profiles. Nevertheless, the involvement of MMPs in cancer, and the mechanisms of such MMPs in other diseases should be extensively studied for novel MMPI development.

KEYWORDS:

• MMP
• diseases
• cancer
• MMP inhibitor
• clinical trials
• binding interaction pattern

Article highlights

• MMPs are a promising target for drug design and development against various diseases.

• A smaller number of MMP inhibitors are patented in the post-COVID period.

• The binding pattern of patented MMP inhibitors exhibits the crucial effect of S1´ pocket for ligand binding.

• Targeting other MMPs by novel MMPIs can provide effective clinical outcomes for various diseases.

Declaration of interests

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contribution statement

S.Banerjee contributed toward the drafting, gathering patent-related information, and finalization of the manuscript. S.K. Baidya contributed to the literature review, patent-related information gathering, and editing of the manuscript. N. Adhikari and T. Jha conceptualized the current idea, gathered patent-related information, supervised, edited, reviewed, and contributed to the final framework of the article. All authors have approved the final version of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was funded by the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means (SVMCM) scholarship, Govt. of West Bengal, India and the authority of Jadavpur University.