Trethera Corp. has been awarded a $3 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) to support evaluation of Trethera’s lead candidate, TRE-515, for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).
Hangzhou Qihan Biotech Co. Ltd. has gained IND approval by the FDA for QT-019B, a universal, dual-target CAR T-cell therapy for refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A phase I/II trial will be conducted in the U.S.
A little-known tissue composed of a cluster of immune cells could offer novel insights into the development of neurological disorders. Meninges' immune system changes with age and neurodegeneration. Are they protecting the brain or fueling disease? Mapping and analyzing the so-called ectopic lymphoid structures (ELSs) in the meninges at different ages in preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's may help clarify whether they are good, bad, or ugly, as in the iconic film by Sergio Leone.
The largest genome-wide association study to date of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome has identified eight genetic loci that are significantly associated with the chronic debilitating condition. Onset of ME/CFS often is traced back to an infection and four of the loci involve genes that are expressed in response to viral or bacterial infections.
Mabylon AG has raised a total of CHF30 million (US$37 million) to advance its pipeline and support its work using human-derived, multi-specific antibodies for the treatment of allergies. The funding combines equity investment and a convertible loan.
Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is capable of causing severe illness at extremely low infectious doses through inhalation. No licensed tularemia vaccines exist in most Western countries, and current candidates lack efficacy against pneumonic forms. This highlights an urgent need for more effective vaccine strategies.
Quantumpharm Inc., known as Xtalpi Inc., announced receiving $51 million up front from a potential $5.99 billion deal with Dovetree LLC on Aug. 6. The collaboration, first inked through a letter of intent between the two parties on June 23, will combine Shenzhen, China-based Xtalpi’s AI-based and robotics-driven discovery platform with Dovetree’s “biological insights.” The goal will be to select and validate potential first-in-class candidates for Dovetree across five areas of oncology, immunology and inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders and metabolic dysregulation.
The Nipah virus (NiV) from the Henipavirus genus is a bat-borne zoonotic pathogen that causes encephalitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome in humans. NiV infections have a very high fatality rate. No approved vaccine or therapeutics against NiV infection exist for use in humans despite its dangerous potential for causing larger epidemics.
The difference between the origin of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its symptoms is an obstacle to finding effective treatments. Scientists focused on amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and tau aggregates to slow neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Without identifying what causes AD, approved treatments do not provide much benefit. However, new findings suggest that restoring lithium levels in the brain could prevent and treat AD. Not just any lithium would work, just the forms that do not bind to Aβ.
In the tumor microenvironment, cancer cells activate various signaling pathways to promote their growth. This includes the formation of blood vessels. However, the circulatory system is not the only one attracted to the tumor. Researchers at Sanford Research have uncovered a mechanism to circumvent the immune response that would destroy them.
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