Recent genome-wide association studies identified an association between low bone mineral density (BMD) and a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the MALAT1 locus, but there is no functional evidence on the role of MALAT1 alterations in BMD or osteoporosis. Hence, scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center aimed to assess the functional role of MALAT1 alterations in low BMD and osteoporosis.
Techbio specialist Relation Therapeutics Ltd has raised $35 million in new seed funding, bringing total seed money to $60 million, as it advances development of its in silico/wet lab platform for identifying drug targets in the non-coding parts of the genome. The company is building a “lab in the loop” system where in depth ‘omics profiles of single cells from fresh patient tissues are analyzed by its machine learning engine to uncover the genetic basis of clinical phenotypes and identify novel targets.
The biosimilars revolution continues with the U.S. FDA’s approval of the first denosumab biosimilars: Wyost (denosumab-bbdz) and Jubbonti (denosumab-bbdz) from Sandoz Inc. for treating osteoporosis and to prevent bone problems in cancer. The approval puts up a strong challenge to Amgen Inc.’s Prolia, the first biologic for osteoporosis, and Xgeva, for bone cancer.
Genome sequencing has identified several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tied to osteoporosis, but most of them are located in noncoding regions. Investigators identified a SNP which impacted the YY2-PAPSS2 axis and risk of osteoporosis; the PAPSS2 gene encodes bifunctional 3’-phosphoadenosine 5’-phosphosulfate synthase 2.
In a boon to older women worldwide, Bone Health Technologies Inc. received U.S. FDA clearance for its Osteoboost device, which reduces loss of bone strength in postmenopausal women. It is the first device cleared for intervention to slow loss of bone density or osteopenia before it advances to osteoporosis.
The stress-responsive protein PPP1R15A (protein phosphatase 1, regulatory subunit 15 A) promotes the unfolded protein response and restores protein homeostasis.
Angitia Biopharmaceuticals raised $46 million in a series B round extension, bringing the total raised under the series B to $170 million led by Morningside Group and will enable the company to advance its pipeline of musculoskeletal therapies.
Angitia Biopharmaceuticals raised $46 million in a series B round extension, bringing the total raised under the series B to $170 million led by Morningside Group and will enable the company to advance its pipeline of musculoskeletal therapies.
Researchers from East China Normal University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of new potent antiosteoporosis agents. Synthesis and optimization of a series of heterocyclic ring-fused derivatives of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) led to the identification of SH-491 as the lead candidate with the most potent inhibitory effects on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis (IC50=11.8 nM).