Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. has disclosed an antibody-drug conjugate consisting of exatecan covalently linked to the antibody trastuzumab targeting HER2 through a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Humanwell Healthcare (Group) Co. Ltd. has described new dual microtubule destabilizers (tubulin polymerization inhibitors) and proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, actinic keratosis, vitiligo and systemic lupus erythematosus, among others.
The German Cancer Research Center has discovered cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12)/cyclin K inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
An experimental vaccine that contained antigens of both lytic and latent phases of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and induced both an antibody and a T cells response, was able to generate broad and long-lasting immunity against EBV in mouse models of infection. Researchers from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and Elicio Therapeutics Inc. reported those results online in Nature Communications on Aug. 8, 2023.
For some viruses, the challenge to developing a vaccine is their rapid mutation rate. This is the major challenge to developing an HIV vaccine or a universal flu vaccine. EBV is different. Its superpower is its ability to hide.
Astex Pharmaceuticals Inc. is getting $35 million up front and up to $500 million per program as it extends its drug discovery collaboration with Merck & Co. Inc. to include small-molecule activators of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. The number of programs was not disclosed, but they will target forms of p53 that have lost their function as a result of cancer-induced mutations in the TP53 gene. The aim will be to override the mutation and restore the ability of the wild-type protein to bind DNA and perform its functions as a transcription factor.
On Aug. 3, Sunho Biologics Inc. filed to list on the Hong Kong Exchange, armed with its antibody and immunocytokine drug pipeline and post-investment valuation of ¥1.41 billion (US$196 million).
Gracell Biotechnologies Inc. stands to gain up to $150 million from an assorted bouquet of private U.S. health care investors to lay a solid foundation for clinical trials of its leading dual-targeting CAR T-cell candidate, GC-012F, and provide a cash runway into the second half of 2026.
AGV Discovery SAS, in collaboration with scientists from Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Inserm and Universite de Montpellier, divulged azaindole derivatives acting as extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitors, particularly ERK2, reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, inflammation, autoimmune disease, substance abuse and dependence, metabolic syndrome, neurodegeneration, HIV infection, and pain, among other disorders.
Researchers from Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Hansoh Biomedical Co. Ltd. have disclosed MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disorders, atherosclerosis, diabetes and fibrosis, as well as metabolic and autoimmune diseases.
Dong Wha Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has defined histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EZH1 and/or EZH2 inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.