Even its name is a testament to how enigmatic the tingible macrophage has been. Tingible, which means stainable, certainly gives no clues to its functions – but was, at least, one thing that was known about the cells. Now, scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have tracked the lifecycle and function of tangible macrophages in the lymph nodes, with implications for understanding autoimmune disorders, which are still poorly understood. Published March 2, 2023, in the journal Cell, the study highlights intravital imaging techniques the scientists used to observe how macrophages formed within the lymph nodes and how they behaved in real time.
Innocare Pharma Ltd. said it is open to new collaborations after partner Biogen Inc. decided to terminate a global deal to develop and commercialize BTK inhibitor orelabrutinib, in development for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Notice of the termination, disclosed in Biogen’s fourth-quarter 2022 financial report, was “based on the contract term of ‘terminate for convenience,’” Innocare told BioWorld. “We do not know their internal decision-making process.”
Coya Therapeutics Inc. has announced expansion of its exclusive worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of COYA-301, the company's low-dose IL-2 subcutaneous administration product candidate. COYA-301 is intended to enhance regulatory T-cell (Treg) function in vivo to treat the systemic neuro-inflammation underlying certain autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers from Meiji Seika Pharma Co. Ltd. and affiliated organizations reported the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel PD-1 agonist antibody, HM-266, being developed for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders, including autoimmune diseases.
Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has entered an option and research collaboration agreement with Monash University to discover and develop antibodies targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with the aim of creating novel therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Researchers from Neoleukin Therapeutics Inc. have described NEO-TRA1, a novel CD25-targeted de novo non-α agonist of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) designed to selectively expand Tregs.
Dialing down the immune response remains at the heart of myriad drug development efforts in autoimmune disease. Targeting cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha or interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-23, IL-6, or IL-17, or modulating immune cell trafficking by targeting sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor or integrins, are therapeutic mainstays. But chronic immunosuppression and all its attendant safety concerns is the price that many autoimmune disease patients pay to remain in remission.
Apogee Therapeutics Inc. emerged from stealth with $169 million in financing and a pipeline of four preclinical antibody development programs that take aim at major immunological and inflammatory disorders.
Abbvie Inc. and Hotspot Therapeutics Inc. have entered into an exclusive worldwide collaboration and option to license agreement for Hotspot's discovery-stage interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) program for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
