Researchers from Nitrase Therapeutics Inc. recently presented preclinical findings on NTX-101, a murine chimeric antibody designed to specifically bind to nitrated tyrosine on α-synuclein (α-Syn). It was demonstrated that NTX-101 bound both chemically and synthetically nitrated α-Syn (n-Syn), with no binding to non-nitrated α-Syn or an irrelevant nitrated protein observed.
Continuing its streak of promising early clinical data, Jasper Therapeutics Inc.’s briquilimab impressed in a preliminary readout from a phase Ib/IIa study in chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU), showing a clinical response of 93%. CIndU, an inflammatory skin condition causing hives that is often induced by physical or environmental stimuli, is commonly treated with antihistamines, though some patients are refractory. Beyond antihistamines, there is no treatment available globally, explained Edwin Tucker, Jasper’s chief medical officer, so briquilimab has the potential to be “a new treatment paradigm for patients,” both in reducing disease burden and in improving quality of life.
Insitro Inc. has signed three strategic agreements with Eli Lilly & Co. focused on advancing potential new medicines for metabolic diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), based on targets identified by Insitro using its artificial intelligence/machine learning-based platform.
The melanocortin MC4 receptor (MC4R), expressed in all brain regions, plays a relevant role in metabolism regulation and in the control of hunger and satiety. MC4R-specific agonist ligands such as setmelanotide have shown potential as antiobesity therapeutics, although reported off-target effects highlight the need for more specific compounds.
Shattuck Labs Inc. has announced a strategic shift to focus on SL-325, a death receptor 3 (DR3) antagonist antibody for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other inflammatory autoimmune diseases.
Researchers from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. have presented data from preclinical studies evaluating the novel humanized human-proteinase‑activated receptor 2 (PAR2)-specific monoclonal antibody, TEV-56192, as potential treatment of skin inflammatory conditions.
Atopic dermatitis is a systemic inflammatory disorder where both innate immune cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) and adaptive immune cells, such as B and T cells, contribute to cutaneous inflammation. B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), highly expressed in mature DCs, is crucial to modulate the activity of all immune cells and acts as a co-inhibitory checkpoint receptor.
Researchers from Paragon Therapeutics Inc. presented the preclinical characterization of ORKA-001 (PR-035), a novel half-life extended monoclonal antibody targeting the p19 subunit of IL-23, designed to treat chronic skin disorders such as plaque psoriasis.
Novartis AG is enlisting the help of Generate:Biomedicines Inc. and its artificial intelligence platform to generate drugs for multiple undisclosed targets. The number of targets and therapeutic areas also weren’t disclosed. Novartis will pick the targets, although the targets Generate has been working on are off limits. Generate will be responsible for creating the lead candidate, at which point Novartis will take over development.
Despite a phase IIa failure in 2018 for lupus, Biogen Inc. and UCB Inc. maintained their collaboration and now have new positive data for their anti-CD40L candidate. Top-line phase III data show dapirolizumab pegol, along with the standard of care (SOC), met the primary endpoint in demonstrating an improvement in moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus compared to placebo and SOC at 48 weeks.
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