Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp. has advanced its novel endothelin ETA receptor antagonist AK-1960 into phase I in Japan for the treatment of various refractory diseases, such as chronic kidney disease.
Changchun Genescience Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has received clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to start clinical trials with Gensci-136 for injection, a dual APRIL/BAFF antagonist in development for the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy.
Shenzhen Salubris Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has discovered dual antagonists of endothelin ETA receptor (EDNRA; ETRA) and angiotensin AT1 receptor (AGTR1; AT1). They are reported to be useful for the treatment of chronic kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and hypertension.
Renal fibrosis originates from diverse etiologies, including diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis and prolonged obstruction, which lead to persistent inflammation and altered repair processes that drive fibrogenesis. M2 macrophages, especially those expressing the macrophage mannose receptor (CD206), play a crucial role in driving fibrogenesis.
Scientists from Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation and the Southern Medical University have synthesized solute carrier family 22 member 12 (SLC22A12; URAT1) inhibitors. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of kidney injury, hyperuricemia and gout.
Paragonix Technologies Inc.’s Kidneyvault portable renal perfusion system managed to preserve and enable the reallocation of a donor kidney for more than 29 hours, despite prolonged ischemic time, multiple handoffs and two commercial flights. Throughout the period, the Kidneyvault maintained stable hypothermic preservation, preventing the organ from being discarded and allowing it to be transplanted into a patient.
Researchers from China hypothesized that Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), also known as G-protein coupled bile acid receptor 1, could have therapeutic potential in acute kidney injury by inhibiting ferroptosis.
A group at the University of Antwerp has patented ferroptosis inhibitors. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of acute renal failure, sepsis, ischemia-reperfusion injury and more.
Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a type of acute kidney injury commonly affecting hospitalized patients and associated with poor outcomes, including increased risk of death in severe cases. IRI is caused by a transient reduction in renal blood flow followed by blood reperfusion.
Researchers from Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Hansoh Biomedical Co. Ltd. have defined cytochrome P450 11B2, mitochondrial (CYP11B2; aldosterone synthase; ALDOS) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, congestive heart failure, hypertension, primary aldosteronism and Cushing syndrome as well as kidney and myocardial fibrosis.