Scinai Immunotherapeutics Ltd. (formerly Biondvax Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) has released promising results from a preclinical study of Scinai’s anti‑IL‑17 nanosized VHH antibodies (NanoAbs) as a treatment for plaque psoriasis. The alpaca‑derived recombinant variable domain of heavy-chain-only antibodies are designed to be administered locally.
Acelyrin Inc.’s shares tumbled after its interleukin-17A inhibitor, izokibep, failed to reachstatistical significance in part B of a phase IIb/III trial inmoderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), but the company remains undeterred with its plans to advance the drug for the inflammatory skin condition.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that maintains skin homeostasis in healthy skin and is expressed in keratinocytes, fibroblasts, mastocytes and melanocytes. In inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis, AhR deficit leads to marked skin inflammation, abnormal barrier function and increased cytokine release. Researchers from Sichuan University have reported the discovery and optimization of a new series of 2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one derivatives acting as AhR agonists that led to the identification of [I] as the lead compound, which showed an EC50 value of 0.015 µM against AhR.
There have been no signs of liver damage with Novartis AG’s oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor remibrutinib for treating chronic spontaneous urticaria, top-line results from two phase III trials show, suggesting that faith in the faltering BTK space could be restored.
When Nektar Therapeutics Inc. decided to push ahead with development of Treg stimulator rezpegaldesleukin (rezpeg) in atopic dermatitis despite what appeared to be middling early stage data, investors weren’t exactly jumping up and down. But it turns out those data are more promising than originally thought.
Recludix Pharma Inc. has entered into a strategic collaboration with Sanofi SA to develop and commercialize first-in-class oral small-molecule STAT6 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 6) inhibitors for patients with immunological and inflammatory diseases. STAT6 is believed to play a key role in multiple dermatological and respiratory diseases.
Heterobicyclic derivatives characterized as tyrosine-protein kinase ITK/TSK (EMT) inhibitors have been revealed in an Almirall SA patent. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, T-cell lymphoma, alopecia areata and vitiligo.
Two biopharma companies entered the public markets on July 14, with Apogee Therapeutics Inc. pricing a $300 million IPO, the second largest U.S. debut this year, and Sagimet Biosciences Inc. raising $85 million. Apogee, of San Francisco, and Waltham, Mass., is advancing APG-777 and APG-808, which are in development for atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, while San Mateo, Calif.-based Sagimet’s lead candidate is the FASN inhibitor denifanstat for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
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