Genomics Ltd. has established a strategic relationship with Grey Wolf Therapeutics Ltd. (Greywolf) to develop first-in-class treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in immune cells enhances anti-inflammatory pathways and limits pathogenic immune responses. Equillium Inc. has recently presented data for their AhR agonist EQ-504 for the potential treatment of immune-related diseases.
Riltide Medicines Co. Ltd. has identified new cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (MB21D1; cGAS) inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of autoimmune disease, rheumatic disease, cardiovascular, dermatological, renal, respiratory, neurological and inflammatory disorders, among others.
The combination of impaired epithelial barrier function, mucosal inflammation and elevated oxidative stress is determinant for the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is an important transcription factor for modulating antioxidant defenses, inhibiting inflammatory pathways and regenerating the epithelial barrier. Montai Therapeutics Inc. has developed a potent and selective NRF2 agonist compound, MTAI-1025, for the management of UC using its proprietary CONECTA platform.
CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) is awarding US$2.6 million to Adjane Holding BV to advance the development of a vaccine candidate to prevent infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
The undrugged transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is involved in autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis in which dysregulation of IRF5 leads to autoantibody formation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, with type I interferon exacerbating inflammation. Totus Medicines Inc. has presented preclinical data regarding a novel IRF5 inhibitor for controlling autoimmune disorders.
Researchers from Elpiscience Biopharmaceuticals Inc. hypothesized that dual targeting of the TL1A/DR3 and IL-23 signaling pathways with a single bispecific antibody would exert superior efficacy by reshaping the immune landscape in disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The company has developed a bispecific antibody targeting both TL1A/DR3 and IL-23p19 – ES-302 – for the treatment of IBD.
Work at Trained Therapeutix Discovery Inc. has led to the development of new mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR; FRAP1) inhibitors and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-derived nanoparticles potentially useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, inflammatory and cardiovascular disorders.
While most human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are cleared by the host immune system, persistent infection with high-risk HPV genotypes, particularly HPV16 and HPV18, can promote cervical cancer development. Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology reported the development and preclinical characterization of KDTV-001, an HPV vaccine comprising a nonreplicating adenovirus type 5 vector encoding a codon-optimized fusion protein of the early antigens E6 and E7 derived from HPV genotypes 16, 18 and 52.
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-threatening autoimmune disease affecting the skin, causing painful erosions on the skin and mucous membranes. PV is caused by IgG4 autoantibodies that target desmoglein 1 (DSG1) and DSG3, which are involved in keratinocyte cell-cell adhesion. There is a high unmet medical need for PV, since current therapies rely on systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.