Despite its promising therapeutic efficacy in patients with narcolepsy type 1, the previously reported orally available orexin OX2 receptor (OX2R) agonist TAK-994 has also demonstrated off-target liver toxicity. Now, researchers from Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. have reported the discovery and early evaluation of a new OX2R agonist, TAK-861, being developed for the treatment of narcolepsy and other hypersomnia disorders.

Seed Therapeutics Inc., a subsidiary of Beyondspring Inc., has reported the discovery of ST-00937, a new chemical entity molecular glue with IND candidate status that will be advanced for the treatment of cancers.

Tenaya Therapeutics Inc. has received clearance from the FDA of the company’s IND application to initiate clinical testing of TN-401.

Biolexis Therapeutics Inc. has reported the launch of Metabolexis, a new pipeline company developing three targeted oral small molecules for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Fledgling biotechnology company Automera has launched in Singapore with $16 million in series A funding to develop its autophagy-targeting chimera small molecules (AUTACs) platform technology. Automera co-founder and chief technology officer Loong Wang told BioWorld that he and his business partner, Taiyang Zhang, decided to move into the biotechnology space in 2021.