Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe condition characterized by vasoconstriction and remodeling of the small pulmonary arteries, driven by a complement-dependent activation of macrophages, for which an effective treatment is lacking. Chinese researchers have investigated the potential of a complement C3 inhibitor polypeptide, CP40-KK, as an approach for treating PAH. To do this, they used a model in which PAH was induced in rats by monocrotaline.
Nodthera Ltd. claims to be first to demonstrate it is possible to modulate the NLRP3 inflammasome in the brain, after showing there were reductions in inflammatory and disease-specific biomarkers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid after seven days of daily administration of its lead product, NT-0796, an oral NLRP3 inhibitor.
Cell death induced by hypoxia is quite a common problem during pancreatic islet transplantation and is caused by insufficient revascularization of the grafts. It has been reported that the loss of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) in pancreatic islet cells protects them from hypoxia-induced cell death, so it was hypothesized that blockade of NLRP3 would improve pancreatic islet transplantation.
Researchers from Guangzhou Medical University (GMU) described the discovery of a novel proteasome inhibitor NIC-0102, being developed as an anti-inflammatory therapeutic candidate.
Hangzhou Innogate Pharma Co. Ltd. has divulged new NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of inflammation, cancer, infections and metabolic, respiratory, liver, kidney and autoimmune diseases, among other disorders.
Ventus Therapeutics Inc. closed a $100 million series B round less than 12 months after raising $60 million in series A funding, to continue development of several preclinical programs informed by novel insights into the structural biology of key targets associated with innate immune signal pathways implicated in a wide range of disease areas.
LONDON – Artificial intelligence (AI) drug design specialist Exscientia Ltd. has completed a sizable extension to its series C, adding a further $40 million to the $60 million raised in May 2020.
DUBLIN – Canakinumab, an interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) inhibitor, has joined a growing list of immunomodulatory therapies that have failed to demonstrate efficacy in COVID-19. Novartis AG said that an interim analysis showed the drug did not meet the primary endpoint of clinical response.
DUBLIN – Roche Holding AG is taking a second shot on the NLRP3 inflammasome by acquiring Dublin-based Inflazome Ltd. for €380 million (US$447.8 million) up front plus undisclosed milestones linked to the progress of its two clinical-stage candidates inzomelid and somalix. In terms of cash on the table, the deal is the largest yet for a portfolio of drug candidates that acts on the NLRP3 inflammasome, and it represents a profitable exit for Inflazome’s investors, who put €55 million into the company over two funding rounds, in 2016 and in 2018.
LONDON – With results of its first phase I trial imminent, inflammasome specialist Nodthera Ltd. has raised $55 million in a series B round, providing funding for phase II proof-of-concept studies and to advance a second, brain-penetrant, compound to the clinic.