Scientists at Ascentage Pharma (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. and China Pharmaceutical University have synthesized molecular glue degrader compounds acting as eukaryotic peptide chain release factor GTP-binding subunit ERF3A (GSPT1)/CRBN interaction inducers for GSPT1 degradation reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, viral infections, aging, immunological disorders and neurological disorders.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer. The more common BRCA wild-type (wt) subtype is particularly resistant to standard treatments such as gemcitabine and DNA-targeting agents like olaparib.
Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with high recurrence rates and resistance to chemotherapy. CAR T-cell therapies present limited efficacy in solid tumors due to tumor heterogeneity and immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment.
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease with limited therapeutic options and the development of new therapeutics is a clinical unmet need. Little is known about the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response seen in macrophages during pulmonary fibrosis.
Peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) are emerging as a promising alternative to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), offering enhanced tumor penetration and reduced immunogenicity. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are both well-validated targets in oncology due to their role in cancer cell survival, invasion and migration.
Ascletis Pharma Inc. has announced IND clearance by the FDA for a phase I trial of ASC-50 for the treatment of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. Dosing is expected to start in the third quarter of this year.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is among the most leading causes of death around the world and there are insufficient treatment options that prevent exacerbations or alter the progression of the disease. COPD is a complex disease with multiple factors driving inflammation, emphysema or small airway remodeling, among others, where interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Avenzo Therapeutics Inc. has gained IND clearance from the FDA for AVZO-023 (formerly ARTS-023), a CDK4-selective inhibitor. The company also announced it has exercised its exclusive option for AVZO-023 from Allorion Therapeutics Inc., securing global (excluding Greater China) development, manufacturing and commercialization rights.
STAT6 plays a central role in regulating Th2-driven immune responses. Recent studies have identified gain-of-function mutations in the STAT6 gene that are associated with early-onset, severe allergic diseases. As a result, STAT6 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in conditions such as asthma, eosinophilic inflammation, food allergies and atopic dermatitis, particularly in cases that are refractory to standard therapies.