Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder marked by positive, negative and cognitive symptoms, many of which are poorly addressed by current dopamine-blocking antipsychotics. Preclinical studies show that muscarinic acetylcholine M4 receptor positive allosteric modulators (M4 PAMs) can reduce hyperdopaminergic activity and improve both positive and negative symptom-related behaviors, suggesting they may offer enhanced antipsychotic efficacy with improved tolerability.
Aperture Therapeutics Inc. has nominated APRTX-001 as a development candidate, with the program now advancing through IND-enabling studies. APRTX-001 is a CD33-targeting antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) designed for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, with potential for indication expansion into Alzheimer’s disease.
Antengene Corp. Ltd. has outlined progress in its early-stage pipeline. The company has leveraged its Antengager T-cell engager (TCE) platform for the discovery of multiple investigational programs.
Could GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), already used in obesity and diabetes, be repurposed as drugs to slow aging? Hong Kong, one of the places in the world with the highest human longevity, is also home to a scientific study on the effects of GLP-1RAs. For the first time, scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have assessed their pharmacological potential in later life using a multiomics preclinical approach.
Harbour Biomed is stepping up its antibody discovery process by using AI to develop innovative therapeutics. “We have done great through the traditional way of generating leads and designing molecules, but there’s a major gap as some therapeutics cannot reach the desired location or common targets,” Harbour Biomed founder, chairman and CEO Jingsong Wang told BioWorld.
Mindrank Therapeutics (Suzhou) New Drug Research & Development Co. Ltd. has divulged molecular glue degraders comprising cereblon (CRBN) ligands acting as dual eukaryotic peptide chain release factor GTP-binding subunit ERF3A (GSPT1) and casein kinase 1 isoform α (CSNK1A1) degradation inducers. They are reported to be potentially useful for the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases and metabolic diseases.
Hutchmed Ltd. has identified antibody-drug conjugates comprising an antibody or antigen binding fragment covalently linked to a GTPase RAS or KRAS inhibitor through a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has synthesized GTPase KRAS wild-type and/or its mutant inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Yichang Humanwell Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has disclosed morphinan derivatives acting as κ-opioid receptor agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of pain and pruritus.
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