Endevica Bio Inc. has disclosed cyclic peptides acting as melanocortin MC1 and/or MC5 and/or MC3 and/or MC4 receptor agonists. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of substance abuse and dependence and diabetes.
Beijing Earthwise Technology Co. Ltd. has described E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase CBL-B (CBLB) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Keros Therapeutics Inc. has presented data regarding their activin receptor ligand trap, RKER-065, for the inhibition of the activin/myostatin signaling axis.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease accompanied by pruritus, for which IL-13 and IL-31 are clinically validated targets. Earendil Labs Inc. has developed a bispecific antibody targeting both IL-13 and IL-31, HX-16108, with an extended half-life.
Casma Therapeutics Inc. has been awarded approximately $7.6 million in funding across two competitive grant programs from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to support Casma’s lead program, CSM-101.
Counterx Therapeutics Inc. has executed an exclusive licensing agreement with the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington for a portfolio of novel monoclonal antibody and vaccine candidates targeting fentanyl and opioid overdose.
Acurastem Inc. has received a two-year research grant from Target ALS to advance therapeutics targeting SYF2, a recently identified regulator of TDP-43 function. TDP-43 dysfunction is a central biological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by GAA repeat expansions in the FXN gene, which produces a mitochondrial protein vital for iron-sulfur cluster assembly and energy metabolism. Researchers at Solid Biosciences Inc. presented preclinical data supporting the first-in-human trial on SGT-212 gene therapy in FA models.
Scientists at Duke University have uncovered how macrophages help maintain intraocular pressure and have found that a specific type, resident macrophages, is essential for proper drainage of intraocular fluid. When these cells are removed, drainage becomes impaired and intraocular pressure rises, contributing to the development of glaucoma.