RNA editing in schizophrenia (SCZ)-associated genes was decreased in postmortem brains of individuals of European descent, according to a study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The scientists obtained the RNA editome from SCZ brains to detect the sequence changes in their RNA and observed hypoediting in noncoding regions related to mitochondrial function, such as the mitofusin-1 (MFN1) gene. Read More
Protein-tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 is a negative regulator of immune cell function and is broadly expressed in the hematopoietic compartment. Due to its role in immune cell signaling, SHP-1 may be explored as a target for tumor immunotherapy. Read More
Researchers from the University of Arizona presented the discovery of first-in-class dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A/B (DYRK1A/B) proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) as potential Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapeutic candidates. Read More
To date, only one drug has been approved for the treatment of itch (persistent pruritus) and it only targets a small portion of the patient population. Researchers from Mallinckrodt plc have unveiled gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) as an itch-specific receptor for nonhistaminergic itch. Read More
A recent F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. patent describes compounds reported to be useful for the treatment of Escherichia coli infection. Read More
Murine models are primarily used in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research, but differences between rodents and primates may prevent a true understanding of the mechanisms of the disease. Read More
Promis Neurosciences Inc. has submitted an IND application to the FDA for PMN-310 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. PMN-310 is a monoclonal antibody designed to be highly selective for toxic oligomers of amyloid-β (Aβ) that are believed to be a major driver of AD, as opposed to monomers or plaque. Read More
Researchers at Tuojie Biotech (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. have developed substituted 1,4-dihydro-1,6-naphthyridine amides characterized as mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists and reported to be useful for the treatment of hypertension, aldosteronism and heart failure. Read More
Abbvie Inc. recently disclosed the discovery and structure of the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) glucocorticoid receptor modulator (GRM) immunology antibody-drug conjugate (iADC) ABBV-154. The drug is in phase II clinical development as a subcutaneous treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica, and as a subcutaneous or intravenous treatment for active Crohn’s disease. Read More
Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1; RIP-1) inhibitors have been reported in a Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry patent as potentially useful for the treatment of cancer, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, macular degeneration, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel and Alzheimer’s disease, among others. Read More
Ocean Biomedical Inc. announced it will be targeting its pulmonary fibrosis treatment candidate OCF-203 as a novel therapeutic for fatal pulmonary fibrotic conditions caused by Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS). Read More
The common pathological pathway in progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) is tissue fibrosis and chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) plays a key role in the development of fibrosis. Read More
Research at Nanjing Minova Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has led to the development of water-soluble allopregnanolone derivatives acting as prodrugs and reported to be useful for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, seasonal mood disorder, essential tremor, dysthymia and postpartum depression, among others. Read More
Suzhou Zion Pharma Technology Co. Ltd. has reported GTPase KRAS (G12C mutant) inhibitors described as potentially useful for the treatment of brain cancer. Read More
Researchers from Attralus Inc. reported preclinical data for AT-04, a novel peptibody designed to bind neuropathologic fibrillar aggregates in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Read More
Additional early-stage research and drug discovery news in brief, from: Alpha Cancer Technologies, Hillstream Biopharma, Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding. Read More
