Upon activation of PPARa, fenofibric acid promotes heterodimerization with the retinoid X receptor (RXR), enabling binding to PPAR response elements (PPREs) that drive transcription of genes governing fatty acid oxidation, lipoprotein metabolism, and HDL biogenesis (notably via ABCA1 upregulation). This mechanism underlies its clinical effect of lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while raising HDL cholesterol. As the direct active metabolite (rather than a prodrug requiring hepatic conversion), it offers more predictable pharmacokinetics than fenofibrate itself.
Fenofibric acid is the active metabolite of fenofibrate and a lipid-regulating agent used clinically (as Trilipix) for the treatment of mixed dyslipidemia. It functions as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARa) agonist, modulating lipid and lipoprotein metabolism.
| Chemical Name | Fenofibric Acid (FNF Acid) |
| CAS Number | 42017-89-0 |
| IUPAC Name | 2-[4-(4-Chlorobenzoyl)phenoxy]-2-methylpropanoic acid |
| Molecular Formula | C17H15ClO4 |
| Molecular Weight | 318.75 g/mol g/mol |
Active pharmaceutical ingredient in branded and generic formulations for mixed dyslipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia.
Used as a USP/EP-recognized impurity and related compound reference standard for fenofibrate quality control (Fenofibrate Impurity/Related Compound B).
Studied in advanced drug delivery systems (e.g., self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems, SNEDDS) to improve oral bioavailability.
Investigated for anti-inflammatory and IGF-IR/Akt/ERK1/2-mediated pathway effects beyond lipid modulation.
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol.
Am. J. Cardiovasc. Drugs
Sci. Rep.
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