Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still a highly lethal cancer with limited therapeutic options. Its lethality mainly stems from activating KRAS mutations and a metabolic dependence on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). Researchers from Remedy Plan Inc. have presented data on RPT-E-037, which exerts dual targeting of NAD metabolism through Nampt inhibition and KRAS signaling inhibition using a pan-RAS inhibitor (RMC-6236).

Ichnos Glenmark Innovation Inc. has announced a new development candidate, ISB-2301, a potentially first-in-class, multispecific immune cell activator for the potential treatment of multiple solid tumor indications. ISB-2301 is a multispecific antibody that targets three tumor-associated antigens to trigger tumor cell death and engages both T and NK cells to activate the immune system. Leveraging the company’s BEAT technology, ISB-2301 is designed to induce potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, checkpoint inhibition and a sustained type 1 immune response.

Matter Bio has submitted its first IND application to the FDA for Lm-LLO-TT, the company’s lead therapeutic candidate, seeking to initiate a first-in-human phase I/IIa trial in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Mekanistic Therapeutics Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for MTX-531, the company’s lead oncology candidate. A phase I study will be conducted in patients with advanced solid tumors characterized by dysregulated EGFR and/or PI3K signaling, including head and neck and endometrial cancers. Dosing is expected to begin in the third quarter.

There are real world demonstrations of how autonomous artificial intelligence agents are poised to disrupt biomedical research, according to two papers published May 19 in Nature. Each describes an AI system that assists across the piece, from generating hypotheses to designing experiments, analyzing the data and refining hypotheses in the light of new data.