The deuterated compound, while identical to natural linoleic acid except for the presence of deuterium, is resistant to lipid peroxidation which makes studies of its cell-protective properties worthwhile.

The deuterated compound resists the non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) through isotope effect — a non-antioxidant based mechanism that protects mitochondrial, neuronal and other lipid membranes, thereby greatly reducing the levels of numerous LPO-derived toxic products such as reactive carbonyls.

[5] Deulinoleate ethyl was promptly absorbed and was found to be safe and tolerable over 28 days at the maximal dose of 9 g/day.

[8] In 2017, the FDA granted deulinoleate ethyl orphan drug designation in the treatment of phospholipase 2G6-associated neurodegeneration (PLAN).

[10] In 2020, the FDA granted orphan drug designation deulinoleate ethyl for the treatment of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).