NCIt definition : An inhibitor of cathepsin K with potential anti-osteoporotic activity. Odanacatib
selectively binds to and inhibits the activity of cathepsin K, which may result in
a reduction in bone resorption, improvement of bone mineral density, and a reversal
in osteoporotic changes. Cathepsin K, a tissue-specific cysteine protease that catalyzes
degradation of bone matrix proteins such as collagen I/II, elastin, and osteonectin
plays an important role in osteoclast function and bone resorption.;