CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) is a G-protein coupled receptor involved in guiding immune cells through the body and the hallmark receptor for T helper 17 (Th17) cells, and is also expressed in other immune cell populations, such as B cells and innate lymphoid cells, among others.
With a promising IL-36 inhibitor for atopic dermatitis (AD, or eczema) at the phase II stage, Turn Therapeutics Inc. has gained $75 million in post-public commitments and meanwhile is pursuing a grassroots strategy to keep the coffers in balance.
The sparsity of mid-to-late stage prospects in atopic dermatitis (AD, or eczema) – which has proved an especially challenging indication – plus some newsmaking fizzles in the space have caused developers to probe new targets with particular intensity. Most popular approaches thus far involve IL-4, IL-13, thymic stromal lymphopoietin and JAK. Developers have stumbled for varying reasons such as high placebo response rates, safety or lack of clinical proof of concept. Among the potential AD rescuers is Nektar Therapeutics Inc. with rezpegaldesleukin (rezpeg), which takes aim at IL-2.
At this week’s American Chemical Society Spring meeting, Galderma SA reported the discovery of novel, oral and selective macrocyclic inhibitors of protein kinase C θ (PKCθ) for the potential treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is mainly triggered by immune dysregulation, barrier dysfunction and inflammation propagation, and chronic itching increases the susceptibility to infections.
Domain Therapeutics SA has nominated PAR2 antagonist DT-9046 as a drug candidate with potential to treat various inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis, as well as neuroinflammatory conditions such as migraine.
In atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and other dermatologic diseases, T cells lose tolerance to self-antigens, triggering the autoimmune response that leads to abnormal skin cell proliferation and inflammation. The use of Nck modulators may help correct dysregulated T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling, potentially restoring immune tolerance and reducing subsequent inflammatory responses.
Maxion Therapeutics Ltd. is poised to extend the therapeutic reach of antibodies into the vast field of G-protein coupled receptors and ion channel targets, after raising $72 million in a series A round.
Maxion Therapeutics Ltd. has raised $72 million (£58 million) in a series A financing to support its development of antibody-based Knotbody drugs for ion channel- and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-driven diseases.
