Environmental factors, such as those from food allergens, can modulate IgE-driven hypersensitivity related to the genetics of allergy. Researchers from the Korea National Institute of Health aimed to investigate the impact of polymorphisms in the SORBS1 gene in relation to atopic dermatitis based on milk exposure.
At the ongoing AAAAI meeting in San Antonio, researchers from Escient Pharmaceuticals Inc. presented preclinical data for the Mas-related G-protein coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) antagonist EP-262, being evaluated as a novel therapeutic approach for mast cell-mediated diseases. In vitro, EP-262 acted as a potent and highly selective antagonist of MRGPRX2, which inhibited MRGPRX2 activation induced by a wide variety of agonists.
Nektar Therapeutics Inc. President and CEO Howard Robin didn’t mince words during a call with investors after market close Feb. 23 to disclose top-line data from a phase II study testing rezpegaldesleukin (rezpeg) in systemic lupus erythematosus, which fell short of partner Eli Lilly and Co.’s criteria for advancing to phase III and raised uncertainty as to how the big pharma might proceed in other indications such as atopic dermatitis (AD).
Researchers from PDS Biotechnology Corp. and affiliated organizations have detailed the development and preclinical evaluation of recombinant protein vaccines formulated with enantio-specific cationic lipid R-DOTAP.
Aldeyra Therapeutics Inc. is eyeing the start of clinical trials with reactive aldehyde species (RASP) modulators ADX-246 for systemic immune-mediated diseases and ADX-248 for geographic atrophy.
Innocare Pharma Ltd. said it is open to new collaborations after partner Biogen Inc. decided to terminate a global deal to develop and commercialize BTK inhibitor orelabrutinib, in development for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Notice of the termination, disclosed in Biogen’s fourth-quarter 2022 financial report, was “based on the contract term of ‘terminate for convenience,’” Innocare told BioWorld. “We do not know their internal decision-making process.”
Results published Feb. 17, 2023, in Immunity have given a wider view of what happens in the earliest stages of HIV infection. Treatments against HIV prevent the replication of the virus, but do not kill the reservoir of latently infected cells that starts to build almost immediately upon infection.
Aqilion AB has sold rights to its TAK1 inhibitors to Merck KGaA in an exclusive license and research collaboration agreement worth at least €960 million (US$1.03 billion) including potential milestones and royalties. The global giant will pay the Swedish biotech – which is headquartered in Helsingborg – €10 million in cash up front for the program and potential development and commercialization milestones and tiered royalties on worldwide net sales of more than €950 million.
South Korea’s GI Innovation Inc. announced its IPO on the Kosdaq market with plans to raise up to $34 million in March 2023. Funds raised from the IPO will go toward phase I/II clinical trials of immunotherapy agent GI-101 in the U.S. and Korea, and a phase I trial of allergy treatment GI-301 (also known as YH-35324) in Korea.
Updated MRI results from Clene Inc.’s phase II Visionary-MS trial testing gold nanocrystal therapy CNM-Au8 bolsters the company’s premise that targeting energy metabolism could protect neuronal function in patients with multiple sclerosis and lays the groundwork for a phase III trial as soon as a strategic partner is found.
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