A computational platform that used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data could quickly predict the best chemical compounds to use to convert cells from one type into another for use in research or cell therapies. The work, published in the Nov. 17, 2022, issue of Stem Cell Reports, was a collaboration between the lab of Hongkui Deng, a professor and director of the Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation at Peking University in Beijing, and the lab of Antonio del Sol, a professor at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine at the University of Luxembourg. Read More
Scientists at USA Elixiria Biotech Inc. and colleagues described data from preclinical studies evaluating the potential of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist, ELB-00824, for protection against chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP). Read More
Leigh syndrome is a rare neurometabolic disorder that causes the CNS to degenerate. Investigators from the University of California, Davis, and Myto Therapeutics Inc. noted that the NDUFS4-knockout (KO) mouse is a well-characterized model for this disease and shared results on the effects of monomethyl fumarate prodrug MYT-109 in this murine model. Read More
Trophoblast glycoprotein, also known as 5T4, is widely expressed in several solid tumors; cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) is an ubiquitous immune checkpoint receptor that is also overexpressed in many solid tumors as well as in hematological cancers. A Yuhan Corp. research team has presented preclinical results on YH-38560, a bispecific fusion protein that targets both 5T4 and CD4 for the potential treatment of solid tumors. Read More
Ikena Oncology Inc. has nominated a next-generation mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)-RAF complex inhibitor, IK-595, as the company's first development candidate in the RAS pathway. IK-595 traps MEK and RAF in an inactive complex, more completely inhibiting RAS signals than existing inhibitors. Read More
The FDA has awarded orphan drug designation to Tenaya Therapeutics Inc.'s gene therapy product candidate, TN-401, for the treatment of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). TN-401 is an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy being developed for the treatment of genetic ARVC caused by plakophilin-2 (PKP2) gene mutations. Read More
Benevolentai Bio Ltd. has discovered imidazopyridazine derivatives acting as high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (NTRK1) and/or BDNF/NT-3 growth factor receptor (NTRK2) and/or NT-3 growth factor receptor (NTRK3) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Read More
Emergex Vaccines Holding Ltd. has generated a chikungunya virus (CHIKV) ligandome, the first major milestone in the development of the company's CD8+ T-cell CHIKV adaptive vaccine candidate. Using an immunoproteomics approach, naturally presented MHC Class I-restricted peptides on the surface of a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-typed cell line infected with CHIKV virus were extracted and identified. Read More
Researchers from Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. presented preclinical data for PH-109, a novel self-delivering RNAi targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which was originally developed and assessed in early clinical trials as potential treatment of dermal hypertrophic scarring and subretinal fibrosis. The current study evaluated PH-109 in a mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. Read More
Scientists at the University of Turin and the University of Pisa have identified NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of inflammation, neurodegeneration, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and autoimmune and metabolic disease. Read More
Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has synthesized sulfonamide-containing peptides acting as MMP-7 (matrilysin) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More
Molecure SA has received clearance from the Polish Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products to conduct the first clinical trial of OATD-02. Read More