Overall, the story of HIV is one of astounding success. But to declare victory, it will be necessary to develop a vaccine. The opening session of the 31st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2024 looked back to the failures but also the advances in research, all the steps that over the years brought the basic science knowledge that could bring an HIV vaccine in the future. This year, the former director of the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center, Barney Graham, was named for the Bernard Field Lecture, where he presented “Modern vaccinology: a legacy of HIV research.” Read More
In a recent study published in PNAS, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center investigated cholesterol-mimetic compounds specifically binding and inhibiting Scap. Their final goal was to understand cholesterol regulation by the Scap/SREBP system and identify potential therapeutics for dysregulated lipid metabolism. Read More
Neuraminidase (NA) is an essential surface protein of influenza viruses with potential as an effective drug and vaccine target. However, knowledge of the NA antigenic landscape remains limited, and most current influenza vaccines induce antibodies against the surface glycoprotein hemagglutinin. Read More
Creative Medical Technology Holdings Inc.'s Immcelz (CELZ-101) has been awarded orphan drug designation by the FDA. Immcelz is aimed at preventing allograft rejection in patients undergoing pancreatic islet cell transplantation. Read More
Guangzhou Lianrui Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has identified benzo bicyclic compounds acting as glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists and reported to be useful for the treatment of diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and obesity. Read More
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a common neuropathy affecting the peripheral nerves. Compared to Type I, type 2 CMT presents as a slower and more progressive disease tied to axonal dysfunction, accompanied by distal muscle weakness and atrophy, sensory loss and reduced nerve conduction velocity, among others. Read More
Shenzhen Zhongge Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has patented new translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) activators described as potentially useful for the treatment of viral infections, inflammation, cancer, neurodegeneration, autoimmune, eye, renal and dermatological disorders, among others. Read More
Researchers from Bugworks Research Inc. presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel potent and selective cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) inhibitor, BWC-5044, in development for the treatment of cancer. Read More
Work at Sonata Therapeutics Inc. has led to the creation of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, mitochondrial (PHGPx; GPX4) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. Read More
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc. and Theras Inc. have jointly disclosed new GTPase KRAS (G12D mutant) inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More
Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Nextgen Bioscience Co. Ltd. and Yonsei University have jointly prepared purine derivative compounds acting as adenosine A3 receptor agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Read More
The research on novel vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 with improved characteristics continues. These ideal features include rapid development to target variants of concern, easy manufacturing, and an excellent safety profile while inducing humoral and cellular immune responses. Read More
Researchers from the Center of Biomedical Research (Lucknow) presented data from a study that assessed the functional significance the translocation of the regulator of G protein signaling 6 (RGS6) to the nucleus in response to cytotoxic stress. Read More
Additional early-stage research and drug discovery news in brief, from: Antion Biosciences, Aslan Pharmaceuticals, Coya Therapeutics, Cantargia, Immunitybio, Umecrine Cognition, Olema Pharmaceuticals, Rezolute. Read More
