Researchers from Nirma University in India aimed to discover and develop novel small-molecule telomerase inhibitors derived from known scaffolds with improved efficacy and safety for lung cancer therapy.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by antigen-presenting cells that plays a central role in shaping cell-mediated immune responses. It promotes the activation and effector function of natural killer cells and cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes and drives the differentiation of CD4+ T cells toward a T helper 1 phenotype.

IL-10-based approaches have shown promise in cancer immunotherapy by activating exhausted CD8+ T cells, but severe hematological toxicities have limited their clinical use. Recent strategies aim to harness IL-10’s antitumor effects while reducing these toxicities.

Prelude Therapeutics Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA for PRT-12396, a mutant-selective JAK2 V617F inhibitor being developed for the treatment of patients with certain myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Elevar Therapeutics Inc. appointed Kim Dong-gun (DG) as CEO Jan. 29, as the company focuses on post-NDA strategies for lirafugratinib in bile duct cancer, and the twice-rejected rivoceranib-camrelizumab combination for liver cancer.

Astrazeneca plc is investing $15 billion in China through 2030 to expand R&D and manufacturing, marking one of the largest long-term investments by a multinational pharma company in the country. The U.K.-based company also struck a deal worth up to $3.5 billion with China’s CSPC Pharmaceuticals Group Ltd. to accelerate the development of next-generation therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Advancell Pty Ltd. has entered into a collaboration and exclusive licensing agreement with 48Hour Discovery Inc. to develop a novel peptide-based lead-212 (212Pb) radiotherapeutic with an initial focus on a gastrointestinal cancer with significant medical need.

Kahimmune Therapeutics SAS has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Gustave Roussy and SATT Paris-Saclay. Created at the end of last year as a spin-off of Gustave Roussy and SATT Paris-Saclay, Kahimmune builds on the latest discoveries in immunology relating to the dark genome.

ABL Bio Inc. has submitted an IND application to the FDA seeking clearance to begin a phase I trial of ABL-209 (NEOK-002). Pending approval, the trial is expected to begin by mid-year in the U.S.