Regeneron is identifying novel regulators of sugar and lipid metabolism and understanding the complex interplay among these circulating factors.

Scientists at Regeneron with expertise in genetics, cell biology, and physiology are studying the underlying causes of diabetes and obesity with the goal of finding treatments for these debilitating conditions.

  • Diabetes: The World Health Organization currently estimates that type 2 diabetes affects over 135 million people worldwide.
  • Obesity: (defined as a BMI of over 30 kg/m2) recognized as a global pandemic, affects an estimated 300 million people.
  • Dyslipidemia: (such as high cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides) leads to significant morbidity and mortality.

Identifying Genes to Target for Treatment

At Regeneron, scientists are focused on identifying novel regulators of sugar and lipid metabolism and understanding the complex interplay among these circulating factors. Multidisciplinary teams of scientists collaborate to identify genes involved in metabolic diseases.

  • Bioinformaticians and molecular biologists at Regeneron have identified genes that encode new classes of secreted hormones and cell-surface receptors.
  • Cell biologists are testing molecular interactions between hormones and receptors in in vitro cell culture systems.
  • Molecular imaging scientists are able to visualize the nature and extent of the expression of a large range of potential target genes.
  • Physiologists study metabolic profiles in genetically engineered animal models.

Using these sophisticated genetic approaches, Regeneron scientists continue to persue the development of metabolic therapeutics.

Highlights

Visualizing Neuronal Cells that Regulate Appetite.
The central regulation of appetite, energy expenditure and metabolism by hypothalamic neuronal circuits is a major focus in obesity research at Regeneron. Well-defined pathways have been elucidated for hormones (eg leptin) that act on specific neuronal subsets within the hypothalamus. These hormones convey signals relaying information about energy flux and fat storage.
Cells secrete hormones that modulate metabolic parameters.
Regeneron scientists have been key players in expanding knowledge of the role that several circulating factors play in human obesity using genetic techniques and animal models. This is exemplified by our detailed characterization of key circulating hormones, such as ghrelin and PYY, and their therapeutic potential for the treatment of obesity.