As Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly and Co. go head-to-head in the U.S. and Chinese glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) market for diabetes and obesity, Novo Nordisk is in innovator gear once more with leading studies of GLP-1s in Alzheimer’s disease.

Immortality and eternal youth have been the stuff of myths and legends from ancient times on. Now, in the 21st century, real studies of current medicine could be applied to repair tissues and organs damaged by age. During the 11th Aging Research & Drug Discovery (ARDD) Meeting held at the University of Copenhagen at the end of August, scientists explained the molecular keys of rejuvenation, as many artists imagined in the past.

Researchers from Sensei Biotherapeutics Inc. presented preclinical data for the novel CD28xVISTA bispecific antibody (BsAb), SNS-201, being developed for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Tankyrases (TNKS) are involved in relevant cellular functions such as telomere maintenance or Wnt signaling, and their inhibition may be a potential treatment strategy for the management of hyperproliferative disorders because it counteracts profibrotic changes and blocks the synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins.

Researchers from Janssen Research & Development LLC presented preclinical data for JNJ-75220795 (ARO-PNPLA3), a GalNAc-conjugated small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutic targeting the PNPLA3 gene, being developed for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

Incretins are not just metabolic hormones that regulate glucose levels after eating. Their functions go beyond stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), the two main incretins, have receptors and effects in different organs, including the heart, brain, bone and kidneys. Even if they do not directly play those keys, other organs such as the liver and muscle receive signals from the same score and join the orchestra.

Researchers from Japan Tobacco Inc. presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of novel highly potent Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors.

A novel gene therapy that leads to cellular rejuvenation could restore vision after non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and glaucoma. The technique is based on a reprogramming process that reverses the epigenetic DNA alterations caused by aging. Preclinical studies in glaucoma mice and nonhuman primates (NHP) models for this stroke-like disorder that affects the eye, showed an improvement of vision and restoration of the damaged axons of the optic nerve.

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong is “all ears” to foster local biotech IPOs, speakers said at the Bio Hong Kong 2024 conference Sept. 11, and more than 60 companies have jumped on board since the introduction of the Chapter 18A listing regime in 2018.