A ketone body, a molecule derived from the metabolism of acids to obtain energy when glucose is not available, could become an effective ally in treating Alzheimer’s or preventing the effects of aging on the brain. A group of scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging have studied the role of β-hydroxybutyrate as a signaling metabolite of misfolded proteins by interacting with them and altering their solubility, a mechanism that allows their elimination, as observed in preclinical models.
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) granted new approvals to several Chinese biopharmaceuticals this week, including expanding indications of four different cancer drugs and clearing one sublingual tablet for stroke.
Dewpoint Therapeutics Inc. has entered into a strategic research collaboration with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp. to advance Dewpoint’s novel small-molecule condensate modulator targeting TDP-43 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Arrakis Therapeutics Inc. has presented data on its RNA-targeted small-molecule (rSM) drug program for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). The company’s proprietary RNA‐specific chemical, biological and structural methods and RNA-directed medicinal chemistry enabled structure-based small-molecule drug design targeting the trinucleotide (CUG) repeat expansion in the mRNA of DMPK (myotonic dystrophy protein kinase) that drives DM1 pathology.
A ketone body, a molecule derived from the metabolism of acids to obtain energy when glucose is not available, could become an effective ally in treating Alzheimer’s or preventing the effects of aging on the brain. A group of scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging have studied the role of β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) as a signaling metabolite of misfolded proteins by interacting with them and altering their solubility, a mechanism that allows their elimination, as observed in preclinical models.
Shares of Relmada Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:RLMD) plummeted 77% to close at 63 cents Dec. 4 after a pre-planned interim analysis prompted the independent data monitoring committee to conclude the phase III Reliance II study testing REL-1017 in major depressive disorder is likely to fail, leaving the future of the NMDA receptor channel blocker in doubt while the company looks ahead to an earlier-stage psilocybin-based program targeting metabolic disease.
Beacon Biosignals Inc. can rest easy now that it has received U.S. FDA authorization of its predetermined change control plan for the Dreem 3s, a wearable sleep monitor that conducts electroencephalograms as users sleep. The authorization allows Beacon to incorporate updates to the Dreem 3S sleep-staging algorithm acquired through machine learning without submitting a new 510(k) application.
Spur Therapeutics Ltd. has selected SPR-301 as lead development candidate from its gene therapy program for a genetically defined subset of Parkinson’s disease characterized by mutations in the GBA1 gene. The mutations cause a deficiency in the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase), leading to the accumulation of α-synuclein and subsequent death of neuronal cells that are hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease.