Various derivatives of α-D-tocopherol (vitamin E) have shown antitumor potential by inhibiting metabolic processes in mitochondria, which nevertheless raises the risk of systemic toxicity. In an approach designed to inhibit such processes in a more targeted fashion, researchers at Yonsei University College of Medicine prepared from α-D-tocopherol a malonate derivative and a primary amide.
The DeGregorio Family Foundation, with support from the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association, has awarded an additional $75,000 Michael F. Price Memorial Grant to support research that will provide the groundwork to advance two new drugs – SSTN-302 and SST-1034 – to a phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced upper gastrointestinal cancer.
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are interesting targets in metastatic cancers. Oncobone Therapeutics Ltd. recently presented data on a new CDK9/13 dual inhibitor – OBP-004 – as a potential approach for treating metastatic cancers.
CDR-609 is a T-cell engager therapeutic from CDR-Life Inc. that targets Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) with potential for treating colorectal cancer.
Leading advances in cancer research, the 2025 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics highlighted some of the field’s most promising innovations. Parabilis Medicines Inc. and Tango Therapeutics Inc. presented their work on potential therapeutic targets that may signal significant shifts in the future of cancer treatment.
Sovargen Co. Ltd. inked a $550 million license deal with Angelini Pharma SpA, granting Angelini development and commercialization rights to SVG-105, a novel antisense oligonucleotide drug candidate in preclinical development as a potential treatment for intractable epilepsy.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. agreed to codevelop and commercialize up to three of Innovent Biologics Co. Ltd.’s immuno-oncology (I-O) and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidates with the signing of a $11.4 billion deal, including $1.2 billion paid up front.
Based on positive phase III study results, Metis Techbio is planning to file an NDA for its AI-derived orally disintegrating tablet drug candidate for pseudobulbar affect, MTS-004, in China next year.
French VC Andera Partners has reached the first close of its Biodiscovery Fund 7 at more than €300 million (US$349 million) and says it is on track to surpass the size of the previous fund, which closed at €456 million during the pandemic-driven boom of 2021.