A metabolite that suppresses appetite and food intake after exercise could be the reason for the weight loss observed in patients treated with metformin to control blood glucose. A study conducted by a group of scientists at Stanford University showed how this antidiabetic drug induced the biosynthesis of N-lactoyl-phenylalanine (Lac-Phe), which has an effect reducing the body mass index. Read More

Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinases 1 and 2 (ULK1/2) are enzymes that play a key role in initiating and regulating autophagy, with ULK1/2 autophagy being an adaptive stress response to multiple cancer therapies, supporting cell proliferation and tumor progression. At the recently concluded ACS meeting in New Orleans, Deciphera Pharmaceuticals LLC presented the discovery of a first-in-class ULK1/2 inhibitor as a potential new anticancer agent. Read More

Breakpoint Therapeutics GmbH has nominated its first preclinical DNA damage response development candidate, BTX-011, for the treatment of solid tumors. IND-enabling activities have already commenced. Read More

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling regulates gene expression in immune and skin cells and plays a critical role in maintaining skin homeostasis. Read More

Valirx plc has signed an evaluation agreement with Imperial College London enabling Valirx to evaluate research relating to novel therapeutic candidates for cancer treatment. Read More

Cancer Focus Fund LP, an investment fund established in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, is investing $4.5 million to support a first-in-human trial of Eisbach Bio GmbH’s lead candidate, EIS-12656.  Read More

Humanwell Healthcare (Group) Co. Ltd. has disclosed microtubule destabilizers (tubulin polymerization inhibitors) reported to be useful for the treatment of anemia, asthma, atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, among others. Read More

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for VX-407, an investigational first-in-class small-molecule corrector that targets the underlying cause of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in patients with a subset of PKD1 genetic variants. Read More

Zhejiang Wenda Pharma Technology Ltd. has synthesized poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1; ARTD1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of autoimmune disease, cancer and inflammatory disorders. Read More

Suven Life Sciences Ltd. has identified 5-HT1A receptor agonists and 5-HT2A receptor antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of depression, insomnia, schizophrenia, bipolar and cognitive disorders. Read More

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital recently detailed the discovery of [11C]SY-08, a new PET radiotracer that detects aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn) fibrils in individuals with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy and dementia with Lewy bodies. Read More

Sudo Biosciences Ltd. has divulged non-receptor tyrosine-protein kinase TYK2 inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of scleroderma, radiographic ankylosing spondylitis, type 1 diabetes, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus, among others. Read More

Scientists at Fujifilm Corp. and Osaka University have described piperazine derivatives acting as drug efflux pump inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of bacterial infections. Read More

Southeast University scientists have reported work leading to the identification of multitargeting histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as potential anticancer agents. Read More