Researchers from China Pharmaceutical University published the design and preclinical characterization of novel potent and selective CDC2-like kinase 2 (CLK2) inhibitors as potential candidates for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Researchers from Shenyang Pharmaceutical University and affiliated organizations have reported the identification of a selective cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitor, CLZX-205, being developed for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Acrivon Therapeutics Inc.’s $130 million financing disclosed April 9 hiked confidence in then-pending data with ACR-368 (prexasertib), the selective small-molecule inhibitor that targets checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) and CHK2. Undergoing tests in a potentially registrational phase II trial across multiple tumor types, ACR-368 also raised the stakes for Boundless Bio Inc., which is developing CHK1 inhibitor BBI-355.

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and affiliated organizations discovered a new ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) inhibitor, YCH-2823, being developed as a potential anticancer agent.

Acrivon Therapeutics Inc.’s $130 million financing disclosed April 9 hiked confidence in then-pending data with ACR-368 (prexasertib), the selective small-molecule inhibitor that targets checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) and CHK2. Undergoing tests in a potentially registrational phase II trial across multiple tumor types, ACR-368 also raised the stakes for Boundless Bio Inc., which is developing CHK1 inhibitor BBI-355.

In one of the biggest startups ever, Xaira Therapeutics has launched with more than $1 billion from investors. The financing, according to BioWorld records, is roughly equivalent to Roivant Sciences Inc.’s $1.1 billion raise in August 2017 and Galderma Inc.’s $1 billion private placement in June 2023. Xaira said it plans to leverage advanced machine learning research and expansive data generation to power new models for developing new therapeutics.

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has entered into a drug discovery collaboration agreement with Prism Biolab Co. Ltd. to generate novel oncology drug candidates.

Pain treatment, especially non-addictive treatment for severe pain, remains a critical unmet need. Among the TRP channels, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 3 (TRMP3) is a channel expressed in somatosensory neurons, including nociceptors of rodents and humans.

In one of the biggest startups ever, Xaira Therapeutics has launched with more than $1 billion from investors. The financing, according to BioWorld records, is roughly equivalent to Roivant Sciences Inc.’s $1.1 billion raise in August 2017 and Galderma Inc.’s $1 billion private placement in June 2023.

Flindr Therapeutics BV has raised €20 million (US$21.4 million) in a series A round to advance small-molecule immune modulators aimed at targets it has identified in cancer patients who respond to existing immunotherapies.