Bio-Cat Gains U.S. Enzyme Patent for Reducing Triglycerides

Enzymes specialist Bio-Cat Inc. (Troy, VA) has been granted a U.S. patent covering the use of a lipase enzyme to digest dietary fats-which in turn results in the reduction of triglyceride levels in the bloodstream.

Ed Schuler, the company’s CEO, says, “High triglycerides are a major problem for many people, and we knew the lipase enzyme had the ability to break the fats down. Our innovation is demonstrating the complete breakdown of fats during digestion in the stomach. This led to further observations where blood triglycerides were substantially reduced in initial test cases.”

The company says that the innovative concept to use lipase to reduce triglycerides started with the company’s previous investigations, for which it received a 2011 U.S. patent. That patent looked at using an enzyme mixture including lipase to help with digestion of fats and other materials in the diet, and to increase nutrient absorption, in people affected with pancreatic insufficiency, cystic fibrosis, and other similar ailments. That 2011 patent, No. 8,071,089, is titled “A Composition With a Fungal (Yeast) Lipase and Method For Treating Malabsorption in Cystic Fibrosis As Well As People Suffering From Pancreatic Lipase Insufficiency.”

The company says it will further pursue clinical studies investigating the benefits of the lipase enzyme for both conditions.

The new triglycerides patent is No. 8,268,305 and is titled “Methods and Compositions to Reduce Serum Levels of Triacylglycerides in Human Beings Using a Fungal Lipase.”