IP Library Granted Patent US 10,231,963
Granted Patent B2
US 10,231,963 · App. 15/489,377 · Granted Mar 19, 2019

Methods for treating depressive symptoms

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,231,963
App. No.
15/489,377
Granted
Mar 19, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present application relates methods for treating a depressive symptom comprising administering an effective amount of a μ opioid receptor agonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a subject in need thereof. Non-limiting examples of such agonist include the compounds of Formulas I, II, III, and IV, as well as the compounds of Table A.

Claims (27)

1. A method of treating a depressive symptom in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a p opioid receptor agonist that exhibits an Emax of 5% to 45% in a GTPγS binding assay wherein the depressive symptom is depressed mood, loss of pleasure, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, psychomotor changes, fatigue, and/or post-partum depression.

2. A method of treating a depressive symptom in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a μ opioid receptor agonist that exhibits an Emax of 5% to 45% in a GTPγS binding assay wherein the depressive symptom is acute stress disorder, adjustment disorders with depressed mood, Asperger syndrome, attention deficit, bereavement, bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, borderline and personality disorder, cyclothymia and dysthymia, depression such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant disorder (TRD), Dysthymic disorder, hyperactivity disorder, impulse control disorder, mixed mania, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCD), paranoid, post-traumatic stress disorder, seasonal affective disorder, self-injury separation, sleep disorder, substance-induced mood disorder, Tourette syndrome and tic disorder, and/or Trichotillomania.

3. A method of treating a depressive symptom in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a μ opioid receptor agonist that exhibits an Emax of 5% to 45% in a GTPγS binding assay wherein the depressive symptom is an anxiety disorder, wherein the anxiety disorder is generalized anxiety disorder, panic, agoraphobia, acute stress, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the μ opioid receptor agonist is a compound of Formula II:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

R 1 is C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, hydroxyalkyl, or alkoxyalkyl;

R 1a is H or methyl;

R 2 and R 3 are each methyl, or alternatively, R 2 and R 3 , together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a 6-membered unsubstituted carbocyclic ring;

when is a single bond, R 4 is H; and

when is a double bond, R 4 is O.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the compound of Formula II is:

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the μ opioid receptor agonist is a compound of Formula II:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

R 1 is C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, hydroxyalkyl, or alkoxyalkyl;

R 1a is H or methyl;

R 2 and R 3 are each methyl, or alternatively, R 2 and R 3 , together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a 6-membered unsubstituted carbocyclic ring;

when is a single bond, R 4 is H; and

when is a double bond, R 4 is O.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the compound of Formula II is:

8. The method of claim 3 , wherein the μ opioid receptor agonist is a compound of Formula II:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

R 1 is C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, hydroxyalkyl, or alkoxyalkyl;

R 1a is H or methyl;

R 2 and R 3 are each methyl, or alternatively, R 2 and R 3 , together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a 6-membered unsubstituted carbocyclic ring;

when is a single bond, R 4 is H; and

when is a double bond, R 4 is O.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the compound of Formula II is:

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (073213/0302) Recorded Feb 13, 2026
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ALKERMES PHARMA IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 074858/0429 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2026
From: ALKERMES PHARMA IRELAND LIMITED
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 074858/0405 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2025
From: ALKERMES PHARMA IRELAND LIMITED
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 073213/0302 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENTS Recorded Dec 24, 2024
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ALKERMES PHARMA IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 069771/0701 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2020
From: ALKERMES PHARMA IRELAND LIMITED
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 052914/0832 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SPELLING OF THE SECOND ASSIGNOR DANIEL R. DEAVER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042174 FRAME 0040. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASIGNMENT. Recorded May 1, 2017
From: BLUMBERG, LAURA COOK; DEAVER, DANIEL R.; EYERMAN, DAVID J.; WYNN, THOMAS ANDREW
To: ALKERMES PHARMA IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 042380/0706 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2017
From: BLUMBERG, LAURA COOK; DEAVER, DANIEL R. R.; EYERMAN, DAVID J.; WYNN, THOMAS ANDREW
To: ALKERMES PHARMA IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 042174/0040 →
Cited By (2)
US 12,194,035 US 12,390,474