GSK plc has identified cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (MB21D1; cGAS) inhibitors and their prodrugs reported to be useful for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus nephritis.
The bifunctional antibody approach continues to pay off for Zenas Biopharma Inc., which banked an upsized $200 million series C preferred stock financing led by SR One along with NEA, Norwest Venture Partners and Delos Capital. Enavate Sciences and Longitude Capital participated significantly as well.
Females have a much greater risk of developing an autoimmune disease than males do. Eighty percent of autoimmune disease patients are female, and specific disorders can have an even more lopsided ratio – 90% of systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) and almost 95% of Sjögren’s disease patients are female.
With an IND filing in systemic lupus erythematosus expected during the third quarter of 2024, Cullinan Therapeutics Inc. changed its name from Cullinan Oncology Inc. and detailed its plans to target autoimmune diseases with CLN-978, a CD19xCD3 T-cell engager.
Following decisions in 2023 to back away from its lead neurological therapies and conserve cash, Eliem Therapeutics Inc. found a vote of investor confidence and a new direction through its acquisition of privately held Tenet Medicines Inc. and its anti-CD19 antibody for autoimmune disease.
OSE Immunotherapeutics SA disclosed a $713 million deal with Abbvie Inc. for preclinical-stage monoclonal antibody OSE-230, a potentially first-in-class therapy for treating a range of inflammatory diseases, while Idorsia Ltd. found a partner for two phase III-stage assets in Viatris Inc., as dealmaking continues strong in 2024.
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. has submitted an IND application to the FDA for AUR-200, a potential next-generation therapy for B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Anaptysbio Inc. has signed an exclusive license agreement for Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc’s blood dendritic cell antigen 2 (BDCA-2) modulator antibody portfolio, including lead asset CBS-004 (to be renamed ANB-101) and related family of backup antibodies, for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Researchers from Kyverna Therapeutics Inc. have presented data on their anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy, KYV-101, for the treatment of B-cell-driven autoimmune diseases.
There is increasing evidence on the involvement of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). At the recent American College of Rheumatology meeting, researchers from Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. presented preclinical data on DS-7011a, a TLR7 antagonist antibody with for the potential treatment of SLE.