CLDN18 is a cell surface membrane protein involved in the formation of tight junctions, and the expression of its CLDN18.2 isoform has been observed in pancreatic, gastric and esophageal tumors.

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.

Senior leaders and investors in the health care sector expect mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity to continue to pick up next year but this will be corporate led rather than private equity, according to a report by global investment bank Jefferies.

Researchers from Aligos Therapeutics Inc. have presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel next-generation liver targeted PD-L1 small molecule inhibitor, ALG-094103, which is being developed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and liver cancer.