Biohaven Pharmaceuticals Inc. has presented preclinical data on their novel bispecific degrader BHV-1310 for the potential treatment of autoimmune disorders. To date, about 10% of the global population is affected by autoimmune diseases. IgG-lowering agents have suboptimal pharmacology and pharmacodynamic effects and have safety and tolerability challenges.

Genes associated with lysosomal dysfunction increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a study led by scientists at Northwestern University. The discovery also explains why some people who carry a pathogenic variant of the GBA1 gene develop PD or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and others do not. The key lies in the Commander complex, involved in the transport of proteins to this organelle. This discovery raises the need for combinatorial therapies that act on more than one pathway for this type of neurodegenerative disorder.

Researchers from Tridem Bioscience GmbH & Co. KG provided details on the development of TRB-001, an anti-α-synuclein construct consisting of a B-cell epitope derived from human α-synuclein (SNCA), conjugated to CRM197 and C-type lectin (CLEC) β-glucan.

Overexpression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been observed in several types of cancer, including gastric, esophageal and colorectal cancers. Several FAK inhibitors have advanced to clinical evaluation for the treatment of cancer, however, none have entered the market.

Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has received clinical trial approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the company’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), SIM-0686, for FGFR2b-positive, locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.