Researchers in China have discovered a new therapeutic target, and identified a rapid-acting lead compound that may overcome the drawbacks of current antidepressants. The research team, based at Nanjing Medical University’s School of Pharmacy, designed a fast-acting antidepressant that works by disrupting the interaction between the serotonin transporter (SERT) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the dorsal raphe nucleus. The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) of the midbrain influences a number of central nervous system processes, and the main transmitter of the DRN is serotonin, the primary target for most antidepressants. Neurons communicate with each other by releasing a series of neurotransmitters into the synaptic space, and these transmitted electrical signals ultimately determine feelings, thoughts and actions, explained co-lead study author Qi-Gang Zhou. The study was published in Science on Oct. 28, 2022.
Shanghai’s State Medical Products Administration announced that GSK plc has been banned from participating in volume-based procurement tenders until April 29, 2024, after failing a good manufacturing practices (GMP) inspection at a contract manufacturing plant in Poland that makes products for China.
The potential for psychedelics to deliver long-lasting benefits for people with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction is being put to the test in Australia, where new research and discovery centers are adding to a global enterprise of nearly 100 clinical trials underway in the space.
South Korea’s regenerative medicine market is expected to grow from $51 million in 2016 to $320 million by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 20%, So Ra Park, chair and founder of Korea’s Regenerative Medicine Acceleration Foundation said.
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) established new medical device regulations earlier in the year aimed at spurring innovation and creating regulatory incentives, and although the regulation has shortened review and approval timelines, other benefits are less clear, experts said.
The potential for psychedelics to deliver long-lasting benefits for people with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction is being put to the test in Australia, where new research and discovery centers are adding to a global enterprise of nearly 100 clinical trials underway in the space.
South Korea’s regenerative medicine market is expected to grow from $51 million in 2016 to $320 million by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 20%, So Ra Park, chair and founder of Korea’s Regenerative Medicine Acceleration Foundation said during the Ausbiotech 2022 conference in Perth, Australia, running Oct. 26 to 28.
Sumitovant Biopharma Ltd., a subsidiary of Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd., agreed to acquire Myovant Sciences Ltd. for $27 per share, up from its earlier offer of $22.75 per share. The deal is worth $1.7 billion on a fully diluted basis, with an equity value of about $2.59 billion.
Astellas Pharma Inc. has invested $50 million in Taysha Gene Therapies Inc. in exchange for 15% of the company and exclusive options to in-license Taysha’s lead gene therapy candidates, TSHA-102 for Rett syndrome and TSHA-120 for giant axonal neuropathy.
Celltrion Healthcare Inc. has signed a deal with Pinotbio Inc. to develop antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for up to 15 separate cancer targets incorporating the linker-payload platform technology Pinot-ADC. Celltrion could pay Pinotbio as much as ₩1.77 trillion (US$1.24 billion) to exercise options for all 15 targets in the collaboration. But, for starters, it will pay Pinotbio ₩1 billion up front.
