Samsung Bioepis Co. Ltd., of Incheon, South Korea, is the latest to announce a win in the biosimilar space, gaining MFDS approval of Epyztek (SB-17) as the country’s first biosimilar to Stelara (ustekinumab, Janssen Pharmaceutical Inc.) on April 11.
Scientists from the Australian National University have discovered the gene mutation responsible for causing psoriasis, and the findings could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. “We were able to identify the gene that could be important in enabling this progression from a skin-only condition to a skin-and-joint condition,” lead study author Chelisa Cardinez told BioWorld.
Scientists from the Australian National University have discovered the gene mutation responsible for causing psoriasis, and the findings could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. “We were able to identify the gene that could be important in enabling this progression from a skin-only condition to a skin-and-joint condition,” lead study author Chelisa Cardinez told BioWorld.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling regulates gene expression in immune and skin cells and plays a critical role in maintaining skin homeostasis.
Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc. presented findings from collaborative work with Medpharm that identified R-209, an interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 and 4 (IRAK-1/4) inhibitor with optimized properties for topical application.
Work was conducted at the University of Bialystok to study plasma galectins (1, 2 and 12) plus serum and urinary levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and α1-acid-glycoprotein (α1AGP) in regards to the relationship between psoriasis and its related complications.
Innate immunity specialist Calluna Pharma Inc. has raised €75 million (US$81 million) in a series A to take forward neutralizing antibodies targeted against damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) proteins that are released when cells are injured, or attacked by a pathogen.
Kymera Therapeutics Inc. has unveiled two new first-in-class oral degrader programs for immune-mediated diseases: KT-621, a STAT6 degrader, and KT-294, a TYK2 degrader.
Sudo Biosciences Inc. has closed a $116 million series B financing, with the funding raised to be used to advance two investigational TYK2 candidates into the clinic in 2024.
Nonreceptor tyrosine-protein kinase TYK2 plays key roles in the signaling of pro-inflammatory molecules such as IL-23, IL-12 or type I IFN, which at the same time play key roles in several immune-mediated diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, among others.
