Cue Biopharma Inc. has received pre-IND feedback from the FDA to discuss the proposed development plan for CUE-401, its lead autoimmune asset. Based on FDA feedback, the company intends to file an IND pending completion of final IND-enabling studies.

In recognition of the fact that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are necessary prerequisites for precision medicine, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) announced the launch of a DEI Hub at its 11th Congress, which is being held in Helsinki through June 24. “We know now that when we talk about personalized medicine, we have to understand that talking about stroke, for example, in a woman is different than talking about stroke in a man,” EAN president Elena Moro told the audience at the opening session of the conference.

The U.S. FDA clearance June 16 of CSL Behring LLC’s humanized anti-factor XIIa monoclonal antibody garadacimab (CSL-312) to prevent hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks juiced up the space in which – although other therapies are available as well – developers continue working on new prospects.

Four biotech companies from South Korea announced new or planned financings mid-June, including GC Genome Corp. Rznomics Inc., G2Gbio Inc. and Mezzion Pharma Co. Ltd. Six major mid-June deals included R&D pacts between Y-Biologics Inc. and Crosspoint Therapeutics, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Salipro Biotech AB, Next & Bio Inc. and GC Cell Corp., Galux Inc. and Hanall Biopharma Co. Ltd., Celltrion Inc. and Onconic Therapeutics Inc., and SK Plasma Co. Ltd. and Aimedbio Inc.

Researchers from Lifordi Immunotherapeutics Inc. have developed a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) called LFD-200 that aims to selectively deliver a potent glucocorticoid (GC) payload directly to immune cells. This strategy may potentially offer a new way to treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions while minimizing systemic toxicity.

Four biotech companies from South Korea announced new or planned financings mid-June, including GC Genome Corp. Rznomics Inc., G2Gbio Inc. and Mezzion Pharma Co. Ltd. Six major mid-June deals included R&D pacts between Y-Biologics Inc. and Crosspoint Therapeutics, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Salipro Biotech AB, Next & Bio Inc. and GC Cell Corp., Galux Inc. and Hanall Biopharma Co. Ltd., Celltrion Inc. and Onconic Therapeutics Inc., and SK Plasma Co. Ltd. and Aimedbio Inc.

At the ongoing International Society for Stem Cell Research meeting, Chinese researchers reported they demonstrated that SPT6 homolog, histone chaperone and transcription elongation factor (SPT6) promotes epidermal stem/progenitor cells differentiation by facilitating transcriptional elongation, but its role in vivo in skin homeostasis is not well defined.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain immune homeostasis by inhibiting excessive immune responses. Dysregulation of Tregs, characterized by reduced cell numbers or impaired suppressive function, is implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy expands Tregs and enhances their suppressive capacity while minimizing the activation of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells.

Monte Rosa Therapeutics Inc. has gained IND clearance from the FDA for MRT-8102, a NEK7-directed molecular glue degrader being developed to treat inflammatory conditions linked to NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-6 dysregulation.

Persistent activation of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING), resulting from aberrant metabolism or mutations in STING1, can lead to inflammatory damage and autoimmune diseases. Therefore, inhibiting STING activity may offer therapeutic potential for treating these disorders.