Abstract: A method for the discovery of compounds suitable for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of obesity, in which the ability of the test compounds to inhibit de novo lipogenesis in mammals and/or man is determined. The use of compounds which are capable of inhibiting de novo lipogenesis in mammals, and which are substantially free of effects directed towards the CNS, for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of obesity, as well as for the treatment and/or inhibition of obesity, are also described.

Abstract: Compounds having combined, particularly concurrent, inhibitory activity on neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and on a novel metalloprotease designated IGS5, or of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate or biolabile ester thereof, and related methods for treating and for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for a mammal, preferably a larger mammal such as a human, suffering from or being susceptible to a disease or condition which can be alleviated or inhibited by combined or concurrent inhibition of NEP and IGS5. Treatments for diseases or conditions where big-ET-1 levels are elevated, or where ET-1 is upregulated, where such diseases or conditions can be alleviated or inhibited by combined or concurrent inhibition of NEP and IGS5.

Abstract: This invention relates to newly identified polypeptides which have zinc metalloprotease activities and are referred to as IGS5, and polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, to their use in therapy and in identifying compounds which may be stimulators and/or inhibitors which are useful in therapy, and to production of such polypeptides and polynucleotides.

Abstract: A method for the discovery of compounds suitable for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of obesity, in which the ability of the test compounds to inhibit de novo lipogenesis in mammals and/or man is determined. The use of compounds which are capable of inhibiting de novo lipogenesis in mammals, and which are substantially free of effects directed towards the CNS, for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of obesity, as well as for the treatment and/or inhibition of obesity, are also described.