Using its proprietary FBDD platform, Blacksmith discovered FG-2101, the prodrug form of FG-960, the first known non-hydroxamate LpxC inhibitor that exerted activity against LpxC at the nanomolar range.
ALX Oncology Holdings Inc. has received FDA clearance for the IND application for ALX-2004, the company’s potential best- and first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) for the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing solid tumors.
The survival and plasticity of neurons depends on the signaling of the nerve growth factors BDNF and NGF acting through TRK receptors, which is crucial in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Alzecure Pharma’s ACD-856 is a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of TRK receptors that is in phase I trials for AD, and has shown good safety, pharmacokinetics and target engagement in the central nervous system.
Ibio Inc. has announced data from a non-GLP, nonhuman primate (NHP) pharmacokinetic (PK) study of IBIO-600, the company’s lead asset and a potentially best-in-class long-acting anti-myostatin antibody designed for subcutaneous administration. Results suggest the antibody could provide a significantly extended half-life in humans and a weight loss treatment option while preserving and promoting muscle growth.
Additional early-stage research and drug discovery news in brief, from: Auron Therapeutics, Capricor Therapeutics, Ena Respiratory, Hoth Therapeutics, Neurogene.
NRG Therapeutics Ltd. has described mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of aging, ischemia-reperfusion injury, inflammation, neurodegeneration and autoimmune, metabolic and renal disorders.
Amenis Bioscience Inc. has identified anthranilic acid derivatives acting as peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (PIN1) and viral replication inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of parasitic and viral infections, obesity, cancer, nonalcoholic or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (NASH/MASH), inflammatory bowel disease and pulmonary fibrosis.
Innovstone Therapeutics Ltd. has synthesized leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2; Dardarin) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Biomedical research seems like it should be the ultimate bipartisan issue. But under the Trump administration, unless and until Congress regains its will to make use of its constitutional powers, bipartisan support for research seems to be a thing of the past. On March 3, members of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine warned that the second Trump administration has been waging a “wholesale assault” on American research.
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