In atopic dermatitis (AD), the itch-scratch cycle is tied to skin inflammation exacerbation that accelerates the progression of the disease, thus impacting the patient’s quality of life, where IL-31 is crucial to induce skin itching. Helixon Ltd. has developed a bispecific antibody targeting both IL-31 and OX40L, HXN-1022, for the treatment of AD.
Genescience Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has discovered new tyrosinase (TYR) inhibitors acting as melanin inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of skin hyperpigmentation.
Janssen Pharmaceutica NV has identified interleukin-17A (IL-17A)/IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) interaction inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (ankylosing spondylitis), multiple sclerosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atopic dermatitis and systemic lupus erythematosus, among others.
The U.S. FDA named the first nine recipients of the recently unveiled commissioner’s national priority voucher (CNPV) program aimed at addressing unmet public health needs by shortening regulatory review times to as little as one to two months. For one of those firms, Disc Medicine Inc., which submitted an NDA for bitopertin for rare genetic disorder erythropoietic protoporphyria in September, that could mean a potential approval before the end of 2025.
Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California explored whether CC-90009 can promote readthrough in the two types of epidermolysis bullosa.
Touting a science-driven, regenerative medicine-based treatment for hair loss “designed for the 21st century,” Pelage Pharmaceuticals Inc. drew a solid group of investors to the table in an oversubscribed $120 million series B round to fund an upcoming phase III program for PP-405, a topical small molecule targeting hair follicle stem cells.
Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. has identified compounds acting as TNF-α/TNF receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFR1) interaction inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
An uncommon route to the public markets – direct listing – paid off for Turn Therapeutics Inc., with shares (NASDAQ:TTRX) closing Oct. 9 at $9.20, up $2.20, or 31%, having risen as high as $26.50 in its second day of trading. The firm is advancing late-stage clinical programs in eczema and onychomycosis. Also in the works are global health initiatives in thermostable vaccine delivery designed to serve underserved areas.
Arcus Biosciences Inc. has announced five new research programs for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and is targeting initiation of the first clinical studies next year.