Researchers from Seoul National University presented results of preclinical evaluation of a new TNF-α/OX40L bispecific antibody, IMB-101, being developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The Korean Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology has synthesized peptides reported to be useful for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.
Novacell Technology Inc. has identified peptides acting as N-formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2; FPRL1; LXA4) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory and immunological disorders.
Scirhom GmbH has submitted a clinical trial application (CTA) for its lead candidate, SR-878, an antibody designed to target inactive rhomboid protein 2 (iRhom2) as a therapeutic strategy for numerous autoimmune disorders.
The blowup in phase II with Aclaris Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s oral MK2 inhibitor zunsemetinib (ATI-450) for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sent shares (NASDAQ:ACRS) into a tailspin and sparked Wall Street speculation about the firm’s other mid-stage prospect. Wayne, Pa.-based Aclaris’ stock ended Nov. 13 at 64 cents, down $4.11, or 86%, after investors learned that ATI-450 missed the study’s primary and secondary endpoints. Development of the candidate, which was also under phase IIa investigation in psoriatic arthritis, will be stopped.
Vyne Therapeutics Inc. has released promising new preclinical data on its oral small-molecule BD2-selective BET inhibitor, VYN-202, in preclinical models of psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. In a well-established model, a psoriasis phenotype was induced in BALB-C mice, and treatment was administered intraperitoneally with either VYN-202, the allosteric TYK2 inhibitor Sotykto (deucravacitinib, Bristol Myers Squibb Co.) or placebo.
Silo Pharma Inc. has announced promising data from a preclinical study investigating the binding affinity and optimization of SPU-21 liposomal joint homing peptide in human synovial tissue surrounding joints and tendons.
With Tofidence (tocilizumab-bavi), a monoclonal antibody from Biogen Inc., the U.S. FDA has approved the first biosimilar to the Roche Group AG’s Actemra (tocilizumab), a blockbuster with declining numbers. Tofidence was greenlighted Sept. 29 for treating rheumatoid arthritis in adults, and for treating polyarticular and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in those ages 2 and older. It’s also the first biosimilar approved to treat systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Aboleris Pharma has closed a €27.3 million (US$28.7 million) series A financing, funds it plans to put toward progressing into the clinic a monoclonal antibody against a novel T-cell target with “first-in-class potential” to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The Gosselies, Belgium-based company’s antibody, ABO-21009, is designed to “rebalance” the immune system by inhibiting CD45RC, a protein expressed on the surface of a subset of disease-causing T cells.
The interleukin-17 (IL-17) family is involved in innate immunity regulation and plays a crucial role in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders by sustaining inflammation during the onset and progression of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Researchers from the University of Naples have reported on a new biological entity, Ab-IPL-IL-17, that displays potent anti-inflammatory activity in preclinical testing.
