Researchers from Merck & Co Inc. have presented preclinical data for the novel Nav1.8 inhibitor MSD-199, being developed for the treatment of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.

Tokyo-headquartered Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. said Aug. 1 that it will acquire Boston-based Jnana Therapeutics Inc. through a potential $1.125 billion M&A deal. Under the terms, Otsuka will work to close the transaction by the third quarter of 2024, with $800 million paid out to Jnana shareholders, along with up to $325 million in additional development and regulatory milestones payments.

Big pharma continues to invest heavily into molecular glue degraders. The latest deal has Eisai Co. Ltd. striking up a research collaboration that could bring Seed Therapeutics Inc. up to $1.5 billion in up-front and milestone payments. The two said they plan to discover, develop and commercialize MGDs for several undisclosed neurodegeneration and oncology targets.

Researchers from the University of Brescia have presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of novel fibroblast growth factor (FGF) trap small molecules, being developed for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM).

Meta Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that the FDA has granted rare pediatric disease designation to its investigational new drug META-001-PH for the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria (PH), an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder in which oxalate is overproduced and deposited in the body.

In the wake of Sage Therapeutics Inc.’s recent phase II fizzle with SAGE-324 in essential tremor, Wall Street is waiting for better news in the indication, which has racked up failures across several developers. Among those finding favor lately is Praxis Precision Medicines Inc. with Nav-targeting ulixacaltamide, also known as PRAX-628, which Oppenheimer analyst Francois Brisebois said “warrants particular attention.”

Researchers from Wayshine Biopharm Holding Ltd. published new data regarding the preclinical systemic pharmacokinetics (PK), dose proportionality, and central nervous system (CNS) distribution of the novel ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) inhibitor WSD-0628, being developed for the treatment of brain tumors.

Researchers from Changzhi Medical College and affiliated organizations presented the discovery of DYC-1, a novel dual-target inhibitor of dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 2 (DYRK2) and histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8), being developed for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Investigators at Washington University in St. Louis and Umea University have reported that the small molecule PS-757 was effective in culture and animal models against Streptococcus pyogenes, a gram-positive pathogen responsible for more than 500,000 deaths per year globally.