MIC-1 fusion proteins and uses thereof

A compound comprising a homodimer of a fusion protein of formula (I):

• A-B-C (I),
• wherein
• A is human serum albumin or a functional variant thereof;
• B is a peptide linker 10 to 50 amino acids in length and comprising the formula [X-Ym]n, wherein X is Asp or Glu;
• Y is Ala;
• m is from 2 to 4;
• and n is from 2 to 10;
• and
• C is a MIC-1 protein or an analogue thereof;
• wherein the C-terminus of the human serum albumin or functional variant thereof is fused to the N-terminus of the peptide linker;
• wherein the C-terminus of the peptide linker is fused to the N-terminus of the MIC-1 protein or analogue thereof;
• and
• wherein the homodimer comprises an interchain disulphide bridge between the MIC-1 protein or analogue thereof of each fusion protein.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a fusion protein of formula (I):

• A-B-C (I),
• wherein
• A is human serum albumin or a functional variant thereof;
• B is a peptide linker 10 to 50 amino acids in length and comprising the formula [X-Ym]n, wherein X is Asp or Glu;
• Y is Ala;
• m is from 2 to 4;
• and n is from 2 to 10;
• and
• C is a MIC-1 protein or an analogue thereof;
• wherein the C-terminus of the human serum albumin or functional variant thereof is fused to the N-terminus of the peptide linker;
• and
• wherein the C-terminus of the peptide linker is fused to the N-terminus of the MIC-1 protein or analogue thereof;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, amide, or ester thereof.

A method of treating obesity by administering a pharmaceutically active amount of a fusion protein of formula (I):

• A-B-C (I),
• wherein
• A is human serum albumin or a functional variant thereof;
• B is a peptide linker 10 to 50 amino acids in length and comprising the formula [X-Ym]n, wherein X is Asp or Glu;
• Y is Ala;
• m is from 2 to 4;
• and n is from 2 to 10;
• and
• C is a MIC-1 protein or an analogue thereof;
• wherein the C-terminus of the human serum albumin or functional variant thereof is fused to the N-terminus of the peptide linker;
• and
• wherein the C-terminus of the peptide linker is fused to the N-terminus of the MIC-1 protein or analogue thereof.