Boundless Bio Inc. has obtained IND approval from the FDA for its novel kinesin oral degrader program, BBI-940. A first-in-human trial (KOMODO-1) for metastatic breast cancer is expected to begin in the first half of this year.
Orexin OX2 receptor agonists have demonstrated the ability to enhance wakefulness in rodent models, as well as in nonhuman primates and patients with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. Based on recent findings, it has been hypothesized that they may also regulate cognition, mood and other neuropsychiatric functions. Furthermore, dysregulated orexin signaling has been reported in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicide attempts.
Insilico Medicine Cayman Topco and Hygtia Therapeutics Co. Ltd. have entered into an exclusive license and co-development collaboration to advance ISM-8969 worldwide. ISM-8969 is an orally available, brain penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor for CNS disorders.
Scribe Therapeutics Inc. is aiming to advance STX-1150, its lead product candidate for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, into the clinic around the middle of this year. Hypercholesterolemia is a major driver of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) covers a series of pathogenic conditions including steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis with limited therapeutic options to date. Recent findings have shown upregulation of hepatic murine double minute 2 (MDM2) in patients with MASLD. Additionally, genetic deletion of hepatic MDM2 and its pharmacological inhibition were seen to improve steatosis and fibrosis in MASLD murine models.
A new method, based on gene editing with oligonucleotides and functional analyses, identifies which variants of DNA repair genes associated with Lynch syndrome are truly harmful and which are not. Scientists at The Netherlands Cancer Institute have developed this technique and classified these gene variants in both coding and noncoding regions, distinguishing those that are pathogenic from those that are benign.
Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) inhibitors have been reported in several Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. patents. They are described as potentially useful for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
The University of Washington has divulged antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) comprising an antibody targeting HER2 (erbB2) linked to monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) through a linker. They are described as useful for the treatment of cancer.
Sundance Biosciences Inc. has discovered non-receptor tyrosine-protein kinase TYK2 inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.