Maxwell Biosciences Inc. has reported findings from a study showing that its broad-spectrum small molecules, named Claromers, are able to destroy Epstein-Barr virus. Claromers destroy pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and biofilms, without harming healthy cells or the microbiome.

Etherna Immunotherapies NV has reported a milestone in its ongoing partnership with Dropshot Therapeutics Inc. Based on Etherna’s nucleic acid and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) capabilities, Dropshot has elected to advance one of its selected targets in renal disease to the clinical stage.

Matter Bio has submitted its first IND application to the FDA for Lm-LLO-TT, the company’s lead therapeutic candidate, seeking to initiate a first-in-human phase I/IIa trial in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Researchers at the University of London and collaborating institutions have developed a gene and cell therapy approach that enables sustained systemic frataxin protein delivery, improving motor performance and tissue pathology, and supporting a promising translational strategy for long-term disease stabilization in Friedreich’s ataxia patients.

Re-Aim Therapeutics Ltd. has launched with £7 million (US$9.4 million) in seed investment backing and a focus on developing functional cures for T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.

Mekanistic Therapeutics Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for MTX-531, the company’s lead oncology candidate. A phase I study will be conducted in patients with advanced solid tumors characterized by dysregulated EGFR and/or PI3K signaling, including head and neck and endometrial cancers. Dosing is expected to begin in the third quarter.

A new strategy aims to improve gene therapy for Pompe disease by optimizing both the genetic component that restores the function of a deficient lysosomal enzyme and the vector that delivers it to the target tissue while avoiding the liver. The findings suggest that combining an optimized transgene with a targeted capsid could significantly enhance the effectiveness of gene therapy for Pompe disease.

There are real world demonstrations of how autonomous artificial intelligence agents are poised to disrupt biomedical research, according to two papers published May 19 in Nature. Each describes an AI system that assists across the piece, from generating hypotheses to designing experiments, analyzing the data and refining hypotheses in the light of new data.

On Sunday, May 17th, 2026, the World Health Organization classified the ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The rapid escalation to PHEIC is due to several factors. Given the high number of cases, the outbreak has likely been going undetected for some time, and may be a “much larger outbreak than what is currently being detected and reported, with significant local and regional risk of spread,” according to the WHO statement. The outbreak appears to already have crossed the border from the DRC into Uganda at least twice. And all this is happening with a virus for which there are no approved treatments or vaccines.