Ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14) is known to play important roles in the development and progression of cancer, including colorectal cancer, since it modulates proteasomal function and cellular proteostasis. In the present study, investigators from Zhejiang University and collaborators demonstrated that the USP14 inhibitor AKOS, a Chikungunya virus inhibitor, performed well as a colorectal cancer therapeutic both in vitro and in vivo.

It is hardly news that tumor cells, compared to healthy ones, show metabolic reprogramming that accelerates the production of energy and biosynthetic precursors to support rapid growth. What is newly discovered, in contrast, is the possibility that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors that are resistant to systemic therapies show further metabolic reprogramming beyond cells that are therapy sensitive, leading them to produce and store even greater amounts of energy.

Bayer AG and Kumquat Biosciences Inc. have entered into an exclusive global license and collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize Kumquat’s KRAS G12D inhibitor.

Deephealth Inc., a subsidiary of Radnet Inc., completed the acquisition of breast health solutions company Icad Inc. in a $110 million all-stock transaction. The company also received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for Techlive – a remote scanning solution enabling centralized operation and supervision of MR, CT, PET/CT and ultrasound procedures.

Quantumpharm Inc., known as Xtalpi Inc., announced receiving $51 million up front from a potential $5.99 billion deal with Dovetree LLC on Aug. 6. The collaboration, first inked through a letter of intent between the two parties on June 23, will combine Shenzhen, China-based Xtalpi’s AI-based and robotics-driven discovery platform with Dovetree’s “biological insights.” The goal will be to select and validate potential first-in-class candidates for Dovetree across five areas of oncology, immunology and inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders and metabolic dysregulation.

Minghui Pharmaceutical Ltd. announced it is raising $131 million in a pre-IPO financing round Aug. 7. The funds will be used to advance its cancer and inflammatory disease pipeline, which include a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and a topical Janus kinase inhibitor.

Precision medicine is becoming a reality in Asia Pacific as more targeted therapies are being developed that are tailored to individual patients, offering a potential cure for disease. But is Asia Pacific ready to harness this transformation, and if not, what are the hurdles that need to be cleared?

Syntara Ltd.’s stock plummeted 52% on news that the FDA recommended an additional phase IIb trial following a type C meeting about the company’s clinical development plan for lysyl oxidase inhibitor amsulostat (SNT-5505, formerly PXS-5505) in myelofibrosis.