Biochemically, growth hormone antagonists are compounds that inhibit signaling through the human growth hormone receptor. Misregulation of this signaling pathway has been implicated in a number of metabolic diseases.
Growth hormone has two distinct binding sites for growth hormone receptors.
The protein first binds to one receptor, and that complex binds to another receptor through the the second site, activating downstream signalling Trovert is a version of growth hormone that binds extremely tightly through the first receptor binding site, but cannot bind at all at the second site due to a mutation. This analog binds to and occupies all the growth hormone receptors as single molecules, preventing receptor activation or signaling. Acromegaly is a result of overproduction of growth hormone, usually due to a pituitary gland tumor, in mature adults. A Phase III study is scheduled to start in May, measuring normalization of clinical syptoms of acromegaly after three months of treatment.