By pairing the expression of an inhibitory ion channel with an activity-dependent promoter, researchers have developed the first on-demand gene therapy that specifically silenced hyperactive cells and prevented epileptic seizures. The channels are expressed when the promoter is turned on by excessive neuronal activity, and so “we can’t stop the first seizures,” Dimitri Kullmann told BioWorld. Read More
Results from a study carried out by the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative show that rare deleterious variants in the immune-system gene TLR7 make carriers more than five times more likely to have a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. The TLR7 gene encodes Toll-like receptor 7 protein, which plays a protective role in the immune system by identifying pathogens and activating innate immunity. Read More
Satellos Bioscience Inc. has created, prioritized and advanced novel small-molecule drug candidates into further preclinical studies. The company's compounds have been designed to be potent and selective inhibitors of a particular kinase protein in the Notch pathway. Read More
Formycon AG has published preclinical in vivo results for the development of its COVID-19 drug FYB-207. In in vivo studies, data were collected in two different models on the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of various constructs of the ACE2-Fc fusion protein, in order to select the most appropriate candidate to enter the clinic. Read More
Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a potentially fatal disease in vulnerable individuals, through the consumption of contaminated food. Vaccination strategies against Listeria are unavailable, primarily due to the lack of knowledge of immunodominant vector antigens. Read More
Saniona AB has completed preclinical development with SAN-903 and is ready to start the regulatory process for entering phase I trials either alone or together with a partner. SAN-903 is a novel, potential first-in-class medicine based on inhibition of the calcium-activated potassium ion channel KCa3.1. Read More
Affimed NV and Artiva Biotherapeutics Inc. have entered into a new strategic partnership to jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize a combination therapy comprised of Affimed's Innate Cell Engager (ICE) AFM-13 and Artiva's cord blood-derived, cryopreserved off-the-shelf allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell product candidate, AB-101. Read More
The failure to remyelinate neurons following an attack is one of the major characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) ultimately causing the progressive loss of neurological dysfunction. Read More
Creative Medical Technology Holdings Inc. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for a clinical trial of Allostem in type 1 diabetes. Read More
Kawasaki Gakuen has divulged pyrrole-imidazole polyamides acting as transmembrane 4 L6 family member 1 (TM4SF1) and TMEM132b expression inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer metastasis. Read More
Novadip Biosciences SA has raised an additional €40 million in a series B equity round and nondilutive funding to accelerate the clinical development of two of the company's investigational adipose stem cell (ASC)-derived tissue regeneration products. Read More
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. has identified chroman and benzofuran derivatives acting as 5-HT1A and trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of depression. Read More
JCR Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has decided to develop a new drug candidate, JR-471, a blood-brain barrier (BBB)-penetrating α-L-fucosidase for the treatment of patients with the inherited lysosomal storage disorder fucosidosis. Read More
Angion Biomedica Corp. has synthesized prodrugs of terevalefim acting as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mimetics and reported to be useful for the treatment of renal ischemia-reperfusion and lung injury. Read More
Hand-foot syndrome (HFS), or palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia, is a dermatological toxicity produced by the fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy agents capecitabine and fluorouracil and affects 43-71% of patients. Read More
The Gastrointestinal Research Foundation (GIRF) has launched a new initiative, CA CURE, to identify and fund research to improve diagnostics and develop therapeutics focused on immunotherapies and personalized vaccines for digestive cancers, with a focus on projects that might have difficulty attracting funds because they are too experimental or are in the initial stages of development. Read More
