Two independent studies have linked neuronal injury, inside or outside the brain, to cancer progression and offer new biomarkers and strategies for prevention. While cerebral cancer cells damage axons and drive tumor development, in other types of cancer affecting other organs, nerve disruption caused by tumor proximity triggers inflammation and a suppressive environment that may also be associated with immunotherapy resistance.

Shattuck Labs Inc. has reported that its IND from the U.S. FDA for SL-325 for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease is now in effect. The company expects to commence a phase I trial in healthy volunteers in the third quarter of this year.

A little-known tissue composed of a cluster of immune cells could offer novel insights into the development of neurological disorders. Meninges' immune system changes with age and neurodegeneration. Are they protecting the brain or fueling disease? Mapping and analyzing the so-called ectopic lymphoid structures (ELSs) in the meninges at different ages in preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's may help clarify whether they are good, bad, or ugly, as in the iconic film by Sergio Leone.

Quantumpharm Inc., known as Xtalpi Inc., announced receiving $51 million up front from a potential $5.99 billion deal with Dovetree LLC on Aug. 6. The collaboration, first inked through a letter of intent between the two parties on June 23, will combine Shenzhen, China-based Xtalpi’s AI-based and robotics-driven discovery platform with Dovetree’s “biological insights.” The goal will be to select and validate potential first-in-class candidates for Dovetree across five areas of oncology, immunology and inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders and metabolic dysregulation.

The difference between the origin of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its symptoms is an obstacle to finding effective treatments. Scientists focused on amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and tau aggregates to slow neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Without identifying what causes AD, approved treatments do not provide much benefit. However, new findings suggest that restoring lithium levels in the brain could prevent and treat AD. Not just any lithium would work, just the forms that do not bind to Aβ.

Nosis Bio Inc. has nominated its first development candidate for fibrosis, marking the company’s transition into IND-enabling studies.

Matchpoint Therapeutics Inc. and Novartis AG have entered into an exclusive option and license agreement to develop and commercialize oral covalent inhibitors targeting a transcription factor linked to a number of inflammatory diseases. Matchpoint’s approach leverages the properties of covalent chemistry and a proprietary platform to target a novel binding site on a historically hard-to-drug protein.