Activity in some clinical parameters is leading Atyr Pharma Inc. to plan a sit-down with regulators, even though the tRNA synthetase-derived drug efzofitimod missed its primary endpoint of steroid tapering in the phase III Efzo-Fit study against the interstitial lung disease pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS). CEO Sanjay Shukla said his firm maintains “a high degree of conviction” regarding the candidate. “But I want to make sure we have the best briefing book possible” before consulting with the U.S. FDA, which will happen as soon as possible.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a progressive liver disease that has limited available therapies. Shanghai Minwei Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has developed and presented data for MWN-105, a GLP-1/GIP/FGF21 triple agonist aimed at controlling metabolic dysfunction and fibrosis during MASH.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) and University of Florida have identified atrial natriuretic peptide B (NPR2; guanylate cyclase B) receptor positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) reported to be useful for the treatment of fibrosis.
Anti-aging specialist Juvenescence Ltd. reached the first close of its series B-1 at $76 million and said it is on course to close the round at $150 million in the third quarter of 2025. “The reason for the first close and not waiting for the very end is just so we can start to move the pipeline forward,” said Richard Marshall, CEO. “We’ve got molecules in and waiting to go, so the sooner we can get going on those, the better,” he told BioWorld.
Only a few days out of the European Association for the Study of the Liver annual meeting, the metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) space continues to grab headlines, with GSK plc shelling out $1.2 billion up front to acquire phase III-ready efimosfermin alfa in a deal with Boston Pharmaceuticals Inc. that could end up totaling about $2 billion.
Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital have revealed how chronic liver injury alters hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), triggering the formation of fibrotic scarring in the liver. The researchers have shown that this cell type transdifferentiates into myofibroblasts, which generate excess extracellular matrix, driven by the activation of ABHD17B, an enzyme that could be investigated as a therapeutic target to inhibit liver fibrosis.
Tribune Therapeutics AB has raised €37 million (US$40 million) in seed and series A funding to advance a portfolio of therapies targeting central drivers of scar tissue formation.
