Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease characterized by chronic inflammation and structural damage to the alveoli, with irreversible declined lung function. M1 pro-inflammatory macrophages mainly participate in airway inflammation and in tissue destruction, and are involved in COPD, but the mechanisms need to be elucidated.
Thirty-six biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies sought a capital raise on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in the first half (H1) of 2025, a review by BioWorld found. Of those, 34 companies were from mainland China.
Thirty-six biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies sought a capital raise on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in the first half (H1) of 2025, a review by BioWorld found. Of those, 34 companies were from mainland China.
AC Immune SA has synthesized new heterocyclic modulators acting as NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors. As such, they are reported to be potentially useful for the treatment of asthma, atherosclerosis, obesity, gout, cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, among others.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease characterized by lung scarring, fibrosis and finally respiratory failure. Currently, few treatment options are available for IPF and they only slow down disease progression and do not reverse fibrosis. There is a need for new therapeutic targets that aid in the management of the disease.
Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA has identified new D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (3-PGDH; PHGDH) inhibitors for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Eli Lilly & Co. and Evotec International GmbH have disclosed Rho-associated protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disease, fibrosis, and inflammatory and neurological disorders.
Wuhan Healthgen Biotechnology Co. Ltd. gained clearance from the Shanghai Stock Exchange July 1 to list under a recently reinstated IPO growth tier geared towards supporting “unprofitable” biotechnology firms.
After delaying a June PDUFA date, the U.S. FDA has approved Kalvista Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Ekterly (sebetralstat) for hereditary angioedema (HAE) in those aged 12 and older. The plasma kallikrein inhibitor now joins a market with previously approved drugs for the rare, genetic, life-threatening condition, as well as other companies with HAE drugs in development. Ekterly is the first orally-delivered on-demand treatment, as all others in the U.S. are intravenously or subcutaneously administered.