Researchers from Nirma University in India aimed to discover and develop novel small-molecule telomerase inhibitors derived from known scaffolds with improved efficacy and safety for lung cancer therapy.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by antigen-presenting cells that plays a central role in shaping cell-mediated immune responses. It promotes the activation and effector function of natural killer cells and cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes and drives the differentiation of CD4+ T cells toward a T helper 1 phenotype.

IL-10-based approaches have shown promise in cancer immunotherapy by activating exhausted CD8+ T cells, but severe hematological toxicities have limited their clinical use. Recent strategies aim to harness IL-10’s antitumor effects while reducing these toxicities.

Prelude Therapeutics Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA for PRT-12396, a mutant-selective JAK2 V617F inhibitor being developed for the treatment of patients with certain myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Advancell Pty Ltd. has entered into a collaboration and exclusive licensing agreement with 48Hour Discovery Inc. to develop a novel peptide-based lead-212 (212Pb) radiotherapeutic with an initial focus on a gastrointestinal cancer with significant medical need.

Kahimmune Therapeutics SAS has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Gustave Roussy and SATT Paris-Saclay. Created at the end of last year as a spin-off of Gustave Roussy and SATT Paris-Saclay, Kahimmune builds on the latest discoveries in immunology relating to the dark genome.

ABL Bio Inc. has submitted an IND application to the FDA seeking clearance to begin a phase I trial of ABL-209 (NEOK-002). Pending approval, the trial is expected to begin by mid-year in the U.S.

Onchilles Pharma Inc. has obtained IND approval from the FDA for N-17350, enabling initiation of first-in-human studies in patients with advanced solid tumors. The study will enroll patients in the U.S. and Australia with advanced solid tumors.