Abstract: This invention relates to novel homotopic prodrugs and medicaments and methods for their preparation, testing and use. In one embodiment, the homotopic prodrug has the general formula wherein is a biologically-active moiety comprising a carboxylic acid functional group, and Rb is a homotopically-symmetrical alcohol bonded to the biologically-active moiety through the carboxylic acid functional group to form an ester linkage, as well as optical isomers, enantiomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable amides, esters, and imides thereof and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a phamaceurtical diluent and a compound of formula IV wherein R21?H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, —CH2OR25, —C(O)R25, —CO(O)R25, —C(O)NR25R26, —CH2C(O)R25, or —CH2C(O)NHR25, where R25 and R26 are each independently H, C1-C10 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing one or more halogen atoms. R22 ?—OH, —OR27, —OCH2C(O)R27, —OCH2C(O)NHR27, —OC(O)R27, —OC(O)OR27, —OC(O)NHNH—R5, or —OC(O)NR27R28, where R27 and R28 are each independently H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, and where R27 and R28 can each optionally contain halogen atoms; R23 and R24, the same or different from each other, are C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl. Methods of using such formulations for the treatment of cancer, to effect weight loss, to treat microbially-based infections, to inhibit neuropeptide-Y and/or fatty acid synthase, and to stimulate CPT-1.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical diluent and a compound of formula IX: R29?H, or C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, ?CHR31, —C(O)OR31, —C(O)R31, —CH2C(O)OR31, CH2C(O)NHR31, where R31 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, cycloalkyl, or alkenyl; R30?C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl; X5?—OR32, or NHR32, Where R32 is H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, the R32 group optionally containing a carbonyl group, a carboxyl group, a carboxyamide group, an alcohol group, or an ether group, the R32 group further optionally containing one or more halogen atoms; with the proviso that when R29 is ?CH2, then X5 is not OH. Also disclosed are compounds within the scope of the formula IX, as well as uses of the pharmaceutical compositions for weight loss, anti-microbial and anti-cancer applications, inhibition of fatty acid synthase and neuropeptide-Y, and the stimulation of the activity of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1.