Single agonists of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) have been a success in the treatment of obesity, but monomeric dual or triple agonists have demonstrated improved efficacy on energy intake, appetite or metabolic function.
Oxyntomodulin (OXM) is a peptide hormone released by intestinal L cells after food intake. It acts as a dual agonist of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucagon receptors, regulating appetite, energy expenditure and glucose metabolism. However, its short plasma half-life limits its therapeutic potential.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease with limited treatment options. IPF is thought to result from repeated microinjuries to aging lung tissue, triggering dysfunctional repair responses that drive fibrosis and respiratory failure. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin Madison and the University of Texas Medical Branch have now identified a potential new therapeutic approach for IPF by targeting bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4).
“Loss of synapses and dysfunctional synapses in a region-specific way is important in Alzheimer’s. It’s actually the strongest correlate of cognitive decline, far more so than plaques and tangles, which are the pathological hallmarks,” Soyon Hong told the audience at the XVII Meeting on Glial Cells in Health and Disease, which was held in Marseille last week.
Actithera A/S is poised to bring small-molecule pharmacokinetics to radiopharmaceuticals after closing a $75.5 million series A that will fund initial clinical development of a candidate targeting the elusive fibroblast activation protein (FAP).
Regulonix LLC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have jointly patented new sodium channel protein type 9 subunit α (SCN9A; Nav1.7) blockers reported to be useful for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Dana Farber Cancer Institute Inc. and Stanford University have patented new molecular glue degraders comprising cereblon (CRBN) binding moiety acting as casein kinase 1 isoform α and/or wee1-like protein kinase (Wee1) degradation inducers reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Researchers from Nikang Therapeutics Inc. and Shanghai Blueray Biopharma Co. Ltd. have discovered GTPase KRAS (G12D mutant) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.