Graves disease (GD)-associated hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of autoantibodies that stimulate the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), leading to excessive production of thyroid hormones.

The U.S. FDA on July 15 cleared Biocon Biologics Ltd.’s Kirsty (insulin aspart-xjhz) as the first and only interchangeable biosimilar product referencing Novo Nordisk A/S’ Novolog (insulin aspart), a rapid-acting diabetes medication.

In drug development, replacing hydrogen atoms with deuterium may help improve the pharmacokinetic profile without altering pharmacodynamic activity.

Stimulating the production of β cells in the pancreas of individuals with type 1 diabetes may be a way to renormalize their glucose metabolism. Researchers from Spain and the U.S. may have moved one step closer to this goal by stimulating formation of new β cells in the pancreas of a mouse model of diabetes using the cyclic peptide THR-123, which binds and activates the receptor for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP).

Palatin Technologies Inc. has announced preclinical results for PL-7737, an oral selective melanocortin MC4 receptor (MC4R) agonist, showing effectiveness in rodent models of obesity.

Launched out of 5AM Ventures’ 4:59 Initiative, Renasant Bio Inc. has secured $54.5 million in seed funding to support development of treatments for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a genetic disease caused by mutations in the PKD1 and PKD2 genes, which encode polycystin proteins PC1 and PC2 that come together to form a calcium ion channel vital for kidney function.