Animate Biosciences Inc. has released new preclinical results demonstrating that AI-designed peptides generated by its Animateiq discovery platform significantly reduced hallmark inflammation and fibrosis signals across multiple human cell types, including skin, lung, heart and liver.
Abbvie Inc. has identified lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1; EDG2) antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of fibrosis and inflammatory disorders.
Researchers at Calluna Pharma AS, Agiana Pharmaceuticals AS and Roskilde University have developed the first humanized IgG4 antibody that inhibits S100A4, which is a calcium-binding protein that helps drive fibrotic inflammatory diseases.
Xortx Therapeutics Inc. has entered into a binding term sheet to acquire a renal anti-fibrotic therapeutic program from Vectus Biosystems Ltd., including a novel new chemical entity, VB4-P5.
In one of the biggest deals of the waning year, Novo Nordisk A/S is buying Akero Therapeutics Inc. to bolster its metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)-treatment portfolio. In the $5.2 billion deal, Akero brings its fibroblast growth factor 21 analogue, efruxifermin, which is in a phase III study for treating those with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis and those with cirrhosis.
More than a decade after the last idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treatment gained U.S. FDA approval, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH’s Jascayd (nerandomilast) is set to hit the market following the agency’s green light on Oct. 7. While expected to offer a modest benefit over existing therapies, Jascayd, an orally administered preferential inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4B with breakthrough therapy status, is viewed by analysts as the first of several potential advancements in the IPF space over the next few years.
Mitochondrial glutaminase kidney isoform (GLS, GLS1) inhibitors have been detailed in a Sitryx Therapeutics Ltd. patent. They are described as potentially useful for the treatment of fibrosis and inflammatory disorders.
The Human Cell Atlas project has delivered a fresh tranche of data mapping fibroblasts in healthy and diseased skin and pointing to drug targets with potential in multiple diseases across a range of tissues. Using single cell sequencing and spatial genomics, a technique for showing how gene expression varies at different locations within a tissue, nine different subpopulations of fibroblasts were identified, six in healthy skin and three in disease samples.
The Human Cell Atlas project has delivered a fresh tranche of data mapping fibroblasts in healthy and diseased skin and pointing to drug targets with potential in multiple diseases across a range of tissues. Using single cell sequencing and spatial genomics, a technique for showing how gene expression varies at different locations within a tissue, nine different subpopulations of fibroblasts were identified, six in healthy skin and three in disease samples.
The dash for MASH is gaining momentum, with Roche AG acquiring 89bio Inc. and its phase III FGF21 analogue, pegozafermin, for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, in a deal worth up to $3.5 billion. The Swiss pharma is to pay $14.50 per share, valuing San Francisco-based 89Bio at $2.4 billion, a premium of approximately 52% to 89bio’s 60-day average price on Sept. 17, 2025. Shares of 89bio (NASDAQ:ETNB) gained $6.88, or 85%, to close Sept. 18 at $14.96.
