Zealand Pharma A/S and OTR Therapeutics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. have signed a multi-program strategic collaboration and license agreement to discover and develop novel therapeutics for metabolic diseases.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive disorder that results in decreased metabolism of the amino acid phenylalanine. Untreated PKU can lead to intellectual disability, seizures, behavioral problems and mental disorders. This metabolic disease is caused by mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene, resulting in patients’ inability to convert phenylalanine.

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA to conduct clinical trials in the U.S. with SYH-2069 for weight management in individuals with obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related comorbidity.

Neurimmune AG has expanded its transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) collaboration with Alexion, Astrazeneca Rare Disease by entering into an exclusive global collaboration and license agreement to develop NI-009, a fibril depleter for light chain (AL) amyloidosis.

Junevity Inc. has raised $10 million in new funding, bringing its seed financing to a total of $20 million. The new funding will enable Junevity to advance JUN-01, its lead siRNA program for type 2 diabetes and obesity, through IND-enabling and initial clinical studies.

The canonical G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) cannabinoid CB1 (CB1R) and CB2 (CB2R) receptors are the most studied in the endocannabinoid system. CB1R is widely distributed throughout the CNS, but is also present on peripheral tissues.