Silicosis, resulting from prolonged exposure to free crystalline silica dust, is an occupational disease characterized by silica nodules and extensive lung tissue fibrosis. The etiology of silicosis remains unclear, challenging early detection and effective treatment.
Researchers from Medizinische Hochschule Hannover and affiliated organizations reported data from studies aimed to identify non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) with therapeutic potential against liver fibrosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Functional screening of patient-derived primary human hepatic myofibroblasts, followed by in vivo validation in mouse models of fibrosis, were performed in search of antifibrotic miRNAs.
Work at Greenstone Biosciences Inc. has led to the identification of dihydroartemisinin derivatives reported to be useful for the treatment of fibrosis.
What a difference 60 weeks can make. That’s the lesson Akero Therapeutics Inc. shared with the rollout of what executives called “unprecedented” data from the phase IIb Symmetry trial testing efruxifermin (EFX), its FGF21 receptor agonist, in patients with compensated cirrhosis due to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). While earlier findings had shown only a trend in improvement at 36 weeks, full 96-week results showed more than doubling of earlier effect size, hitting the primary endpoint and sending shares of Akero (NASDAQ:AKRO) up 97% to close Jan. 27 at $51.71.
Antibody Therapeutics Inc. has disclosed integrin receptor antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis and hepatic fibrosis.
Certa Therapeutics Pty Ltd. has acquired Occurx Pty Ltd. in a move to strengthen its pipeline to target multiple fibrotic diseases as both companies share a focus on targeting GPR68, a defined G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) receptor that mediates signaling pathways associated with inflammation and fibrosis and is thought to be a master switch of fibrosis.
AM Sciences Inc. has reported compounds acting as lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1; EDG2) antagonists described as potentially useful for the treatment of fibrosis.
Certa Therapeutics Pty Ltd. has acquired Occurx Pty Ltd. in a move to strengthen its pipeline to target multiple fibrotic diseases as both companies share a focus on targeting GPR68, a defined G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) receptor that mediates signaling pathways associated with inflammation and fibrosis and is thought to be a master switch of fibrosis.
Researchers from Atyr Pharma Inc. presented preclinical efficacy data of ATYR-0101, a potential therapeutic biologic based on a domain appended to aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (DARS) in models of lung and kidney fibrosis. By targeting latent-transforming growth factor beta-binding protein 1 (LTBP-1), ATYR-0101 induced apoptosis in myofibroblasts which play a central role in fibrosis and tissue remodeling.
Alentis Therapeutics SA is poised to expand its reach in Claudin-1 biology, after closing a $181.4 million series D that will fund phase I/II trials of two antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting the transmembrane protein, which is overexpressed on a number of squamous cell tumors.
