KRAS-mutated tumors were once untreatable. In fact, KRAS was something of a poster child for so-called undruggability. Several laboratories are investigating strategies to address other mutations and uses beyond non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer. If you can't bind KRAS to block it, use a glue or combine multiple weapons. This is the idea behind two new approaches that target cancers caused by this proto-oncogene. Read More

“The size of a chromosome does not correlate with complexity of the sequences within,” Jackson Laboratory professor Charles Lee told BioWorld. Which is why the Y chromosome, which is the runt of the litter as far as human chromosomes are concerned, was the last to be fully sequenced. Now, 20 years after publication of the first near-complete human genome sequence and 16 months after the telomere to telomere (T2T) consortium announced it had completed “gapless assemblies for all chromosomes except Y,” of the human genome, it really is done. Read More

Imunon Inc. has entered into a cooperative research and development agreement with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for the evaluation of the immunogenicity and efficacy of two Imunon DNA-based Lassa virus vaccine candidates. Under the 3-year agreement, the NIAID will assess the efficacy of Placcine DNA constructs against Lassa virus in guinea pig and non-human primate disease models, including both prime and prime-boost vaccine strategies. Read More

Microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase-like (MASTL) is involved in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and for that reason is considered a relevant therapeutic target for cancer treatment. At the recent ACS Fall meeting, researchers from Pfizer Inc. presented the discovery and characterization of a series of potent and selective MASTL inhibitors for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Merck KGaA has divulged proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) compounds comprising an E3 ubiquitin ligase binding agent coupled to methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MNPEP; MetAP2) targeting moiety via a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, malaria and benign prostatic hyperplasia, among others. Read More

Mu opioid receptors (MOR) agonists exert strong anti-nociceptive activity but their ability to cause tolerance and physical dependence are serious issues of concern and limit their use. The activation of another branch of opioid receptors discovered lately, the opioid-related nociceptin receptor 1 (OPRL1) has recently shown the ability to enhance MOR agonist-induced analgesia while limiting tolerance and side effects. Read More

Adlai Nortye Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has disclosed Wnt signaling inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, immunological and inflammatory disorders. Read More

Wuhan LL Science & Technology Development Co. Ltd. has synthesized mannan-binding lectin serine protease 2 (MASP2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of lupus nephritis and IgA nephropathy, among others. Read More

Radiopharm Theranostics Ltd. has entered into an expanded agreement with Terthera BV under which Terthera will supply Radiopharm with Terbium-161 (Tb-161). The Tb-161 isotope will be linked to a proprietary monoclonal antibody to form RAD-402, a radiotherapeutic that is being developed by Radiopharm to target KLK3 expression. Read More

Gilead Sciences Inc. has identified protein mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase TIPARP (PARP-7; ARTD14) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Chengdu Easton Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has described lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (KDM1A, LSD1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Ceramedix Holding LLC has been awarded a phase IIB Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant valued at approximately US$3 million by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to support the evaluation of the non-clinical pharmacology of its lead drug candidate. The anti-ceramide antibody is in development through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a potential therapeutic to mitigate and/or treat illness due to radiation exposure. Read More