Verge Genomics (Verge Analytics Inc.) has nominated a second development candidate, VRG-201, targeting long-term weight management and metabolic homeostasis. VRG-201 is an oral, first-in-class small-molecule therapy that targets the underlying metabolic pathways leading to abnormal weight gain and the development or worsening of obesity.
In tumoral cells, the modulation of the G1/S phases of cell cycle is destabilized by amplification and high expression of cyclin E (CCNE) or by mutation or loss of retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) gene. Cancer cells meeting these characteristics have been sown to be highly sensitive to cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) depletion.
Candid Therapeutics Inc. has entered into a number of collaborations aimed at advancing its pipeline of T-cell engagers (TCEs) for autoimmune diseases. The company will be collaborating with Epimab Biotherapeutics Inc., Ab Studio Inc. and Nona Biosciences.
Ideaya Biosciences Inc. has nominated IDE-251, a dual KAT6/7 inhibitor targeting 8p11 amplification tumors in breast and lung cancers, as a development candidate. IDE-251 is an equipotent, highly selective, small-molecule dual inhibitor of KAT6 and -7, both of which have been shown to support cancer cell survival.
Glutathione S-transferase (GSTP) is an enzyme involved in the detoxification of several xenobiotics such as tobacco carcinogens or cisplatin drugs and is overexpressed in KRAS-mutant lung, colon and pancreatic cancer, among others. The upregulation of GSTP may partially contribute to chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance.
A gene therapy based on an enhanced lipid nanoparticle (LNP) loaded with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA could be developed for the treatment of preeclampsia, according to a study in mice in which it alleviated maternal hypertension until the end of gestation and improved fetal health. Preeclampsia is a disease that affects 3% to 5% of pregnant women, who suffer from hypertension and proteinuria, elevated levels of protein in the urine, during pregnancy.
Additional early-stage research and drug discovery news in brief, from: Aptose Biosciences, Cereno Scientific, Iteos Therapeutics, Medicenna Therapeutics.
Sunshine Lake Pharma Co Ltd. has divulged non-receptor tyrosine-protein kinase TYK2 inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, scleroderma, lupus nephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and ulcerative colitis, among others.
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