Deficiencies in interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), a protein that normally regulates the immune response, causes mild but persistent inflammation. However, its absence also provides an unexpected advantage by increasing resistance to viral infections. Inspired by this condition and using mRNA technology, scientists at Columbia University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed a broad-spectrum antiviral platform.

Quoted technology commercialization company Puretech Health plc is scouting for third parties to fund phase III development of deupirfenidone, after spinning the respiratory drug into a new startup, Celea Therapeutics.

Mycobacterium abscessus, a nontuberculous mycobacterium, is a significant cause of chronic pulmonary infections, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems or structural lung conditions, such as cystic fibrosis.

Some Apple Watch users will be able to monitor their blood oxygen levels through their iPhone, thanks to a software update the company planned to issue Aug. 14. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company pulled the feature from its watches in the U.S. in 2024, following a patent dispute with Masimo Corp., of Irvine, Calif., that threatened an import ban.

Insmed Inc. CEO William Lewis said that offering two doses of Brinsupri (brensocatib) will complicate payer coverage “not at all, just the opposite. It’s going to give the flexibility to physicians to choose how they want to engage with their patients, wrestle with whatever issues may be in their minds related to safety [and] what have you.” The U.S. FDA approved Insmed’s first-in-class dipeptidyl peptidase 1 inhibitor, Brinsupri, given in 10-mg and 25-mg tablets as a once-daily treatment for noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in adults and children 12 and older.

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) secured 5.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer Inc./Biontech SE and Moderna Inc., officially including the mRNA-based vaccines in the country’s national immunization program on Aug. 5.

Fosun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. subsidiary Fosun Pharma Industrial is out-licensing its phase II dipeptidyl peptidase 1 inhibitor, XH-S004, to newco Expedition Therapeutics Inc. in a deal worth up to $645 million. Under terms of the deal, Expedition gains global rights to rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize XH-S004, except in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Equillium Inc. has entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement with health care investors that will provide up to $50 million in gross proceeds to Equillium. The private placement will enable the company to advance its selective aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulator EQ-504 into the clinic.