Uppthera Inc. has patented new NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of cancer, metabolic and autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular, inflammatory, neurological, renal and respiratory disorders, among others.
Ensem Therapeutics Inc. has divulged new bicyclic heteroaryl and heterocyclic compounds acting as Werner syndrome ATP-dependent helicase (WRN; RECQ3; RECQL2) inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of cancer.
The Scripps Research Institute has discovered new bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-based DNA topoisomerase inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates comprising a monoclonal antibody covalently linked to a DNA topoisomerase inhibitor. They are described as potentially useful for the treatment of cancer.
Bolt Biotherapeutics Inc. has prepared and tested new immunoconjugates comprising antibodies covalently linked to stimulator of interferon genes protein (STING; TMEM173) agonists. They are designed for potential use in the treatment of cancer.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences reported the design and preclinical characterization of YCH-3971, a selective PARP1 inhibitor developed for the treatment of BRCA-mutated tumors.
CAR T-cell therapy can be applied to treat some chronic infectious diseases, particularly to provide a functional cure for HIV-1 in people living with HIV. However, the effectiveness of CAR T cells for persistent suppression of HIV still faces many constraints, including the high mutation rate of reverse transcriptase, which enables the emergence of immune escape viral variants.
The U.S. FDA has issued a final order to reclassify optical diagnostic devices for melanoma detection and electrical impedance spectrometers from class III to class II, with special controls required.
Repeated promotional claims Patrick Soon-Shiong made about Immunitybio Inc.’s Anktiva – such as “We have now discovered and developed this drug … approved for bladder cancer, but it actually can treat all cancers” – landed the Culver City, Calif., company a strongly worded warning letter from the U.S. FDA.
The U.S. FDA approved Corcept Therapeutics Inc.’s oral, selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, Lifyorli (relacorilant), nearly four months ahead of schedule for adults with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer. A short time after the agency approved Lifyorli, it cleared Denali Therapeutics Inc.’s Avlayah (tividenofusp alfa) under the accelerated approval pathway for mucopolysaccharidosis II, also called Hunter syndrome, ahead of the April 5 PDUFA date.
Only a few months after reporting what it called “unprecedented” phase I data for its BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor in chronic myeloid leukemia, Terns Pharmaceuticals Inc. agreed to an acquisition by Merck & Co. Inc. valued at about $6.7 billion. For Terns, the deal validates the decision last year to switch focus from its metabolic pipeline to oncology and, for Merck, it’s the latest move as the big pharma looks to shore up its offerings ahead of patent expirations for cancer blockbuster drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab).