Business Profile

Description: Leading the field in the discovery of drugs that modulate the effects of cortisol. The adverse effects of excess cortisol have been Corcept’s focus since the company’s inception. Abnormal levels and release of cortisol play a role in a variety of metabolic, oncological, and psychiatric diseases, and we are currently studying a new generation of compounds that may mitigate the effects of excess cortisol. In addition to our work with mifepristone, we have developed over 300 proprietary molecules, advancing the most promising of these to the clinic to see if they can mitigate the effects of excess cortisol and the serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions that may result. All of these compounds competitively block the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), but not the progesterone receptor. Scientific literature suggests that competitive GR antagonism may have a role in treating many conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, alcoholism, prostate, breast and ovarian cancer, and weight gain caused by atypical anti-psychotic medications. We are investigating several of these indications in collaboration with researchers around the world.