Dual prevention of osteoporosis and atherosclerosis

E Sussex, UK 15th January 2003 --- New LeadDiscovery Dossier. Osteoporosis and atherosclerosis share many similarities including high incidence, early onset and suitability for preventative treatments. Together the two conditions support a total US market in excess of $13 billion. There is a well-documented co-morbid development of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease and therefore therapies targeted to both of these conditions are much sought after clinically and hold immense commercial potential. Gas-6, osteocalcin, matrix gammacarboxy glutamate protein and protein S are all proteins that play a crucial role in bone formation and arterial calcification. The activity of these proteins is maintained by gammacarboxy glutamate carboxylase, the activity of which is dependent on vitamin K. Considerable proof of concept data is available to support the development of vitamin K supplements or small molecule mimics as candidates for the prevention of osteoporosis and arterial calcification. In addition vitamin K2 has cholesterol-lowering properties. This dossier analyzes vitamin K and its mimics as a novel target and places it in the context of current pharmaceutical activity in the osteoporosis arena.

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