UL16 binding protein 6 (ULBP6) is a molecule belonging to the stress-induced NKG2D ligand family and its expression is up-regulated on the surface of cancerous cells, binding to the immune-activating NKG2D receptor on natural killer (NK) and T cells, thus promoting immune evasion.
Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. has discovered proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) compounds comprising Von Hippel-Lindau disease tumor suppressor (VHL)-binding moiety covalently linked to Bcl-2-like protein 1 (Bcl-xl; Bcl-X; BCL2L1)-targeting moiety through a linker. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Medigene AG has obtained FDA clearance of its IND application for lead program MDG-1015 for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, myxoid/round cell liposarcoma and synovial sarcoma.
Nextpoint Therapeutics Inc. has unveiled NPX-372, a novel T-cell engager for solid tumors. NPX-372 is a CD3 bispecific antibody with unique capabilities to redirect T cell-mediated cytotoxicity toward B7-H7-positive tumors such as colorectal carcinoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma and prostate cancer.
Researchers from Bristol Myers Squibb Co. disclosed the structure and presented preclinical data for the dual inhibitor of diacylglycerol kinases (DGK) α and ζ, BMS-986408. Optimization of a DGK-α-selective hit led to the synthesis of dual DGK-α and -ζ inhibitors.
Highfield Biopharmaceuticals Inc. has filed an IND application with China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to conduct a clinical trial of HF-50, an immunoliposome that directs T cells to attack solid tumors and enhances anticancer activity with an immune modulator.
Mestag Therapeutics Ltd. has been awarded a £1.5 million ($1.9 million) grant from Innovate UK’s Cancer Therapeutics program to accelerate the development of MST-0300.
Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has obtained clinical trial approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for SIM-0508, a small-molecule inhibitor of DNA polymerase θ (POLθ), allowing initiation of clinical trials in locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.
Monopar Therapeutics Inc. has received Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) clearance in Australia to initiate a phase I therapeutic trial of its novel radiopharmaceutical MNPR-101-Lu. MNPR-101-Lu combines the therapeutic radioisotope lutetium-177 (Lu-177) with Monopar’s proprietary first-in-class humanized monoclonal antibody MNPR-101, which is highly selective against the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR).
Cullinan Therapeutics Inc. terminated development of Harbour Biomed Holdings Ltd.’s bispecific B7H4 x 4-1BB immune activator, CLN-418 (HBM-7008), after reviewing phase I data.
