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.
Recent evidence in atopic dermatitis (AD) points to the involvement of additional pro-inflammatory pathways besides core Th2 responses. Current therapeutic approaches that work target mostly the IL-4/IL-13 pathway, but the duration of response and depth could be improved.
Vitiligo is caused by autoreactive CD8+ T cells that react against skin melanocytes, where IL-15 has been shown to activate these T cells. Innovent Biologics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. recently presented data on their monoclonal antibody (mAb) – IBI-3013 – that targets IL-15. IBI-3013 was evaluated in vitro in immune cell expansion and CD8 T-cell activation assays, as well as in vivo in a skin inflammation model and in a graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) model.
Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) is a modulator of IL-1 receptor and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for several inflammatory diseases. Gilead Sciences Inc. and Nurix Therapeutics Inc. recently presented data generated in a preclinical murine model of AD with their IRAK-4 degrader GS-6791.