Being able to detect cancers early can substantially improve survival, but most early detection tests for cancer rely on expensive and sophisticated molecular techniques that might be difficult to implement in resource strapped environments. Two new studies published last week attempt to overcome this problem. Read More

Maia Biotechnology Inc. has advanced its telomere-targeting molecule program (Project T3) with the nomination of a lead new molecular entity candidate (MAIA-2021-20) and a back-up new molecular entity candidate (MAIA-2022-12) for progression into preclinical GLP-toxicity and other studies. One of these candidates may then be advanced into clinical trials upon completion of the preclinical evaluations. Read More

Researchers from University Medical Center Utrecht and Yale University School of Medicine have recently described two novel, strictly anaerobic Allobaculum strains, 128T and 539T, isolated from the feces of humans with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Read More

The FDA has awarded rare pediatric disease designation to Orphagen Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s OR-449 for the treatment of pediatric adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). OR-449 is a selective, first-in-class, potent and orally bioavailable small-molecule antagonist to steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1; NR5A1), an orphan nuclear receptor and transcription factor that is essential for the growth and development of the adrenal gland. Read More

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc has patented sulfonamides acting as orexin OX2 receptor agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of hypersomnia, narcolepsy and sleep disorders. Read More

Researchers from Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica presented the discovery of novel furan-2-carboxylic acid derivatives as potential candidates for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Synthesis and optimization of SL-010110, a previously identified molecule with the ability to inhibit gluconeogenesis via a unique mechanism, resulted in the discovery of a novel series of derivatives. Read More

Coherent Biopharma Ltd. has divulged peptide-drug conjugates comprising cytotoxic drug covalently linked to folate receptor α (FOLR1; FR- α)-targeting moiety through linker reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer and metabolic, immunological and neurological disorders. Read More

Hangzhou Innogate Pharma Co. Ltd. has identified kinesin-like protein KIF18A inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer and viral infections. Read More

Three Aurora kinases (AURKA, AURKB and AURKC) are required for cell division and their activities/expression is increased in many human cancers. Accordingly, AURK inhibitors have entered early clinical trials, but their approval has been delayed due to off-target dose-limiting toxicity. Inhibition of AURKB catalytic activity is distinguished in that does not depend on disruption of spindle microtubules, but targeting catalytic activity disables both mitotic and nondividing cells. Read More

Medshine Discovery Inc. has synthesized nonreceptor tyrosine-protein kinase TYK2 inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. Read More

Nanchang Helioeast Technology Co. Ltd. has patented oxa-spirocyclic compounds acting as lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (KDM1A; LSD1) inhibitors and reported to be useful for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Read More

The alpha chain of the IL-3 receptor, CD123, is frequently overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is considered an attractive target in the treatment of this disease. However, cytotoxic antibodies or T-cell engagers targeting CD123 have shown insufficient clinical efficacy or safety, confirming the need for alternative targeted approaches. Read More

Additional early-stage research and drug discovery news in brief, from: Clearmind Medicine, Kinarus Therapeutics. Read More