Once it was considered to be more or less a passive energy-storing device that could double as a cushion. But increasingly, fat is conceptualized as an endocrine organ as much as a tissue type. Now, separate research groups have reported new insights into the functional roles of different fats based on their anatomical location and functional characteristics.
Biolexis Therapeutics Inc. has identified AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators reported to be useful for the treatment of diabetes, ischemia-reperfusion injury, dyslipidemia, obesity, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, spinal muscular atrophy and Alzheimer's disease, among others.
Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. has disclosed chemically modified polypeptides acting as gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) and/or glucagon receptor (GCGR) and/or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of obesity.
Eli Lilly & Co. has disclosed new glucose-dependent insulinotropic receptor (GDIR; GPR119) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Généthon, a nonprofit laboratory created by the AFM-Téléthon, has reported its exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Askbio Inc., a subsidiary of Bayer AG, for the use of a patented component of AB-1009, under development by Askbio, for the treatment of Pompe disease.
Previous studies combining molecular techniques and genetic mouse models revealed the functional roles of several microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in metabolic disorders. In particular, the lnc-megacluster (lncMGC), located on human chromosome 14q32.2 and hosting about 40 miRNAs, plays a role in diabetic kidney disease and pancreatic islet dysfunction. A team at the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope investigated the regulatory role of lncMGC in obesity and adipose dysfunction.
Monash University has identified cyclic peptides acting as melanocortin MC5 receptor (MC5R) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of diabetes, obesity, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, renal disorders, Rabson Mendenhall syndrome, Donohue syndrome and lipodystrophy.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has disclosed polypeptides acting as triple agonists of glucagon like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R), glucagon receptor (GCGR) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic receptor (GDIR; GPR119) reported to be useful for the treatment of dyslipidemia.
The U.S. FDA has cleared Tessera Therapeutics Inc.’s IND application for TSRA-196, its lead in vivo gene editing therapy for α-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). The Australian Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) has also granted approval for the company to begin the phase I/II clinical study.
Askbio Inc., a subsidiary of Bayer AG, has received IND clearance from the FDA for AB-1009, an AAV gene therapy being developed for the treatment of late-onset Pompe disease.
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