Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. has announced the successful synthesis of novel small-molecule drug candidates designed under the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) platform collaboration.

Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are among the most widely used therapies in the treatment of breast tumors expressing estrogen receptor α (ERα). Alone or in combination with other agents, they are the standard of care for hormone receptor-positive tumors.

Researchers from UCB SA and affiliated organizations presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of novel NUAK family SnF1-like kinase-1 (NUAK1) inhibitors.

Ibio Inc. has expanded its cardiometabolic and obesity treatment development program by in-licensing a long-acting anti-myostatin antibody from Astralbio Inc. The antibody, now named IBIO-600, was identified by Astralbio using Ibio’s proprietary technology stack.

Proper survival and regeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which constitute the optic nerve, is crucial for managing traumatic or ischemic optic nerve injury, optic neuropathy, or optic pathway gliomas. Researchers from Wenzhou Medical University described the synthesis of novel spirocyclic chalcone derivatives designed to combat optic nerve damage.

Zhongzhi Pharmaceutical Holdings Ltd. made a $3 million investment in a series A financing round of stem cell therapy developer Gabaeron Inc. Dec. 21, expected to help propel Gabaeron’s preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) candidate into phase I testing.