In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the lung tissue thickens and stiffens through proliferation of fibroblasts and invasion by inflammatory cells. One of the drivers of these processes is the enzyme autotaxin, which produces the signaling molecule lysophosphatidic acid. Several inhibitors of autotaxin have been reported, which show varying degrees of clinical potential.

Anti-inflammatory compounds can alleviate many acute and chronic diseases, including autoimmune, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. However, many such compounds increase risk of numerous adverse events because they inhibit not only cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which induces pathological inflammation, but also COX-1, which is important for renal and gastrointestinal function.

While recent advances in gene therapy have offered unprecedented options for patients with hemophilia, new data presented at the 32nd Annual Congress of the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ESGCT), held in Seville Oct. 7-10, revealed persistent concerns regarding the durability of these treatments and their potential liver toxicity.

Nilo Therapeutics Inc. has launched with a $101 million series A financing and a focus on harnessing neural circuits to restore immune homeostasis in disease.

Researchers at Hefei Amvite Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. reported the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a series of structurally modified ziritaxestat derivatives, leading to the identification of more potent autotaxin inhibitors.