A protein called apoptosis inhibitor 5 (API-5) protects intestinal Paneth cells, which are disrupted in Crohn’s disease, and could lead to a new treatment for the inflammatory bowel disease. Writing in the Oct. 5, 2022, online issue of Nature, Ken Cadwell, a professor of microbiology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, and colleagues described testing the protein in a mouse model and in gut organoids with good results. Crohn’s disease is one of two key autoimmune diseases that affect the gut, the second of which is ulcerative colitis. Combined, inflammatory bowel diseases affect around 3 million people in the U.S. While there is currently no cure for these conditions, there are monoclonal antibody therapies available. Read More
Researchers from Ocean University of China, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology and affiliated organizations have reported the discovery of novel histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitors as potential anti-inflammatory agents. Read More
Sorrento Therapeutics Inc. has published data on the identification, in vitro binding and neutralizing activity of a novel monoclonal antibody (MAb), STI-5041, against the SARS-CoV-2 WA-1 strain as well as the alpha and beta variants from their G-MAB library screening. Read More
Researchers from National Institute of Health Sciences (Japan) have published data from a study that aimed to identify novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), a drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DILD) associated with a poor prognosis. Read More
Targeting tyrosine-protein kinase Lck (LCK) with dasatinib has demonstrated activity against T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). To make the effects more lasting, researchers from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania designed proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) using dasatinib as an LCK ligand and phenyl-glutarimide as a cereblon-directing moiety. Read More
Innovotex Inc. has acquired an exclusive and perpetual license, facilitated by the Discovery to Impact group at the University of Texas at Austin, to an innovative discovery platform and corresponding patent portfolio to identify and design therapeutic candidates for a range of solid tumor indications. Read More
The factors why the clinical outcomes during infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus are highly heterogenous remains poorly understood. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a secreted protein with roles in lipid metabolism; interestingly, APOE has been shown to modulate immunity, including infection and antitumor immunity. Read More
Maze Therapeutics has presented glycogen [starch] synthase, muscle (GYS1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer and Pompe disease. Read More
Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has described cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators reported to be useful for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Read More
Microorganisms such as bacteria, sperm and microalgae have evolved to develop robust actuation systems that enable autonomous motion, and these natural cellular systems have recently emerged as attractive carriers for transporting therapeutics to hard-to-reach body locations. According to a recent publication, researchers from University of California, San Diego have developed a novel algae-based motor platform, with the aim of addressing limitations of cargo delivery into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Read More
Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Hansoh Biomedical Co. Ltd. have synthesized orexin OX2 receptor antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of major depression and insomnia. Read More
Shire Human Genetic Therapies Inc. has discovered new plasma kallikrein (KLKB1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of hereditary angioedema and diabetic macular edema. Read More
Finding a vaccine that provides universal protection against seasonal influenza remains a public health priority. Although influenza neuraminidase (NA) undergoes slower antigenic changes than hemagglutinin (HA) and therefore constitutes a desirable vaccine target, NA standalone vaccination strategies present a limited breadth of NA immunity. Read More
Sironax Ltd. has patented receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and viral infections. Read More
