Researchers from Sitryx Therapeutics Ltd. and affiliated organizations presented data from a study that aimed to assess the potential of selective salt-inducible kinase 2 (SIK2) inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Preventing the interaction between the cellular adhesion integrin α4β7 and endothelial ligand mucosal addressin cell-adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) is a validated strategy for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis treatment. Paragon Therapeutics Inc. and Spyre Therapeutics Inc. have reported preclinical efficacy data on SPY-001, a long-acting monoclonal antibody targeting integrin α4β7.

Researchers from Paragon Therapeutics Inc. and Spyre Therapeutics Inc. have reported preclinical data for SPY-002, a novel extended half-life, fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like ligand 1A (TL1A), being developed for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Plexin domain containing 2 (PLXDC2) is expressed on the surface of several cell types, such as macrophages, dendritic or epithelial cells. Its activation reduces oxidative stress and rebalances the immune response and decreases inflammation. Its activation has been seen to improve disease severity in models of rheumatoid arthritis, while its blockade or loss exacerbates the severity of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Researchers hence tested the PLXDC2 agonist PX-04 (Landos Biopharma Inc.) in a DSS-induced murine model of colitis.

Proto-oncogene Vav (VAV1) is a guanine exchange factor that is crucial for T- and B-cell receptor signaling. Assays in Vav1-knockout murine models had previously demonstrated diminished effector functions and resistance to autoimmune disease. Monte Rosa Therapeutics AG has presented data on the VAV1 inhibitor MRT-6160, a first-in-class molecule that targets VAV1 for proteasomal degradation, thought to potentially treat autoimmune diseases through the degradation of VAV1.

Less than a month after the U.S. FDA approved Sanofi SA and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s bestseller Dupixent (dupilumab) for treating eosinophilic esophagitis in children ages 1 to 11, the agency has approved Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s Eohilia (budesonide oral suspension) for the same indication but for an older group.

Inventiva SA has halted enrollment in its pivotal phase III Nativ3 trial with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) candidate lanifibranor after a patient experienced raised liver enzymes indicative of autoimmune hepatitis. The resulting delays to the study could spell trouble for the firm, which estimates its cash runway will only see it through to the start of the third quarter 2024.

Investigators from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College presented data from a study that investigated the regulatory mechanisms of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) death and intestinal inflammation.

Holliston, Mass.-based Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology Inc. (HART) is seeking patent protection for synthetic structural support devices for use in esophageal tissue regeneration, in which the synthetic structural supports have been seeded with cells (e.g., mesenchymal stem cells) to form a cellular sheath on the supports’ outer surfaces.