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.
The Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has described androgen receptor antagonists and/or androgen receptor degradation inducers reported to be useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, osteoporosis and SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19), as well as breast and castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel KRAS-degrading small molecule candidate being developed for the treatment of cancer.
Mansonone E is a type of plant toxin with various pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, anti-MRSA and antitumor activities. In the current study, researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University presented the discovery of novel mansonone E analogue, MSN-8C, being developed as a potential anticancer agent.