Antibodies against tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-6 receptor are the most effective available therapies against rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, no cure for RA exists. In work published in Science Translational Medicine, scientists from Sanofi R&D (Sanofi SA) investigated whether dual inhibition of TNF and IL-6 could improve the therapeutic efficacy against RA.
An international team of researchers has created two bat stem cell lines that reveal an unusual number of viral sequences in bat cells compared with those of other mammals. Writing in an article posted online Feb. 21, 2023, in Cell, the scientists suggested that the unusual amount of viral genetic material found in the bat stem cells could explain why these mammals are largely unaffected by most viral infections, despite being able to transmit them.
When oxygen levels of the intestine increase, the appropriate hypoxic conditions for intestinal microbiota are lost. This state may be caused by immune-mediated malfunction of the intestinal epithelium. By controlling oxygen levels, the imbalance in the intestinal microbiome (dysbiosis) can be reduced.
Coya Therapeutics Inc. has announced expansion of its exclusive worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of COYA-301, the company's low-dose IL-2 subcutaneous administration product candidate. COYA-301 is intended to enhance regulatory T-cell (Treg) function in vivo to treat the systemic neuro-inflammation underlying certain autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.
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.
Boston Immune Technologies and Therapeutics Inc. (BITT) has announced progress using its Domab platform. Two Domab CD40 antagonists, BITT-CD4D11 and BITT-CD4F10, have completed discovery and optimization and a final candidate is being selected for IND-enabling steps.
Researchers from The Salk Institute have described a signaling pathway that sets off an unusual, autophagy-dependent cell death mechanism as a fail-safe for cells that have evaded senescence mechanisms. The scientists found a tumor suppression mechanism mediated by telomere signaling, which activated an innate immune response through mitochondrial and telomere complexes to eliminate cells with shortened telomeres.
Scripps Research Institute and Shangpharma Innovation have divulged cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (MB21D1; cGAS) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of autoinflammatory interferonopathy, autoimmune and neurological disorders.
Researchers from Jouf University and affiliated organizations have reported the discovery of novel cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors as potential nonacidic anti-inflammatory agents.
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