The contribution of the soluble form of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) as a risk factor for chronic kidney diseases (CKD) is well known. Researchers from Rush University Medical Center, Harvard Medical School and collaborators have now identified D2D3, a suPAR fragment, as responsible for causing double injury, both to the kidney and pancreas, thus resulting in glomerular disease and insulin-dependent diabetes. Read More
U3-1402/patritumab-GGFG-DXd is the first HER3-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) showing clinical efficacy in non-small-cell lung cancer. However, an elevated proportion of patients with this cancer express low levels of HER3 and are nonresponsive to this ADC. In addition, novel ADCs are needed to treat other cancer types, including colorectal cancer. Read More
Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) regulates both cell cycle and global transcription and is a validated therapeutic target in cancer. Researchers from Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. reported on the discovery and preclinical evaluation of SHR-5428, a noncovalent CDK7 inhibitor. Read More
Orionis Biosciences BV has established a multiyear collaboration with Genentech Inc., a member of the Roche Group, to discover novel small-molecule molecular glues for targets in major disease areas, including oncology and neurodegeneration. Read More
Astellas Pharma Inc. and Mitobridge Inc. have synthesized stimulator of interferon genes protein (STING; TMEM173) antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, neurodegeneration, type I interferonopathy and Sjögren’s syndrome. Read More
A consortium led by Addex Therapeutics Ltd. has been awarded a €4 million (US$4.3 million) Eurostars grant to support its metabotropic glutamate mGlu2 receptor negative allosteric modulator (NAM) program for mild neurocognitive disorder. Read More
Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel peptide PET tracer targeting LAG-3, [68Ga]NOTA-XH05, being developed as a candidate for evaluating the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Read More
Researchers at F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. have disclosed zwitterionic compounds reported to be useful for the treatment of bacterial infections. Read More
Hepagene Therapeutics Inc. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for HPG-7233 for the treatment of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and dyslipidemia. Read More
Researchers from University Hospital Basel and Universitätsklinikum Ulm presented the discovery of novel radiotheragnostic candidates targeting C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), which is highly expressed in various cancers and has been linked to poor prognosis. Read More
Tegid Therapeutics Inc. has identified proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTACs) compounds comprising cereblon (CRBN) ligands covalently bonded to a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1)-targeting moiety. Read More
Transimmune AG has been awarded a $5 million investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Strategic Investment Fund that will be used to leverage Transimmune’s physiologically induced dendritic cells (phDCs) to enhance the potency of mRNA vaccines in infectious diseases. The initial focus will be on a therapeutic vaccine for people with HIV. Read More
Evaxion Biotech A/S has established a collaboration with Afrigen Biologics Pty Ltd. aimed at developing a prophylactic mRNA vaccine against gonorrhea. Read More
Recludix Pharma Inc. has divulged signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and 6 (STAT6) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer and inflammation. Read More
Researchers at Ningbo Combireg Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. and Versitech Ltd. have described benzothiazole compounds reported to be useful for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19). Read More
Leucid Bio Ltd. has received approval from the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to commence a phase I/II trial of LEU-011 for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory solid tumors. Read More
Genflow Biosciences plc has received correspondence from Belgium’s Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAHMP) with a recommendation to initiate a phase I/II trial of GF-1002 in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), rather than in healthy volunteers. Read More
