Smsbiotech Inc. has gained clearance in Australia to begin a phase I trial of its small mobile stem (SMS) cell therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may soon be covered for positive pressure ventilation in the home per a draft coverage memo from CMS.
Researchers from Apogee Therapeutics Inc. and Paragon Therapeutics Inc. have reported the preclinical characterization of APG-333, a half-life extended monoclonal antibody targeting thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine secreted by epithelial cells that acts as an alarmin in response to environmental insults.
Akeso Inc. has received IND approval by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for AK-139, an IL-4Rα/ST2 bispecific antibody under investigation for a number of indications, including respiratory and skin diseases.
Gilead Sciences Inc. and Leo Pharma A/S have established a strategic partnership to accelerate the development and commercialization of Leo’s small-molecule oral STAT6 programs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Windward Bio AG was established with plans to both license a drug and establish wet labs to create an internal pipeline of drug candidates. SR One, Omega Funds, RTW Investments, Qiming Venture Partners, Quan Capital and Pivotal Bioventure Partners funded the Basel, Switzerland-based company’s $200 million series A financing round.
Deepcure Inc. has discovered potent, selective oral small-molecule inhibitors of STAT6. These next-generation STAT6 inhibitors have demonstrated promising oral bioavailability, cell permeability and metabolic stability, and do not target STAT6 for degradation.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is characterized by an abnormal inflammatory reaction of the lungs to inhaled particles, such as cigarette smoke. On the other hand, the transcription factor interferon responsive factors (IRFs) are key elements in the production of type I and III interferons. A group of researchers in Italy looked into the relationship between interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and COPD outcomes.
The U.S. FDA granted approval of Verona Pharma plc’s ensifentrine on its PDUFA date of June 26, giving the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) community its first new mechanistic option in a decade. The drug, branded Ohtuvayre, is also the first inhaled nonsteroidal therapy to treat a respiratory disease that combines both a bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory mechanism into one molecule. It is indicated for the maintenance treatment of COPD, which Verona said allows for broad use.
