Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest malignancies, with a 5-year overall survival rate of only 13%. Earlier studies demonstrated that the Lister strain of oncolytic vaccinia virus (VVL) is capable of replicating and delivering therapeutic genes even under hypoxic conditions, highlighting its potential as a promising vector for targeting hypoxic tumors like pancreatic cancer.

CCR8 is highly expressed on immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) in various solid tumors, making it a potential target to enhance antitumor immunity and the efficacy of cancer therapies, including checkpoint inhibitors. However, the impact of CCR8 expression on the Treg phenotype and its role in cancer progression remain unclear.

Researchers at the China Pharmaceutical University have developed a series of highly active receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) inhibitors with potent anti-inflammatory activity. RIPK1 is a key regulator of necroptosis, a form of programmed cell death associated with various inflammatory diseases.

Abcellera Biologics Inc. has received a no objection letter from Health Canada authorizing its clinical trial application (CTA) for ABCL-635.

The FDA has granted orphan drug designation to Cure Rare Disease’s CRD-002, an antisense oligonucleotide therapeutic for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), including spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3).

Atyr Pharma Inc. has advanced ATYR-0101 into IND-enabling studies for pulmonary fibrosis, and is targeting an IND application in the second half of next year.