On the heels of a $4.6 million series A round in December 2023, cell therapy company Rxcell Inc. is planning to raise another $15 million in 2024 to take its iPSC-derived photoreceptors to the clinic for retinitis pigmentosa and other degenerative diseases of the retina. Read More
Scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and affiliated organizations have discovered novel GPR183 antagonists as potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). With the aim of improving the pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety profile of previously reported oxysterol receptor GPR183 antagonists, structural optimization of the reference antagonist NIBR-189 was conducted. Read More
Inmed Pharmaceuticals Inc. has released new preclinical data on INM-089 further demonstrating promising pharmacological effects targeting dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). INM-089 is a proprietary small-molecule compound acting as a preferential signaling ligand of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. Read More
Geneventiv Therapeutics Inc. has been awarded a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for approximately $2.5 million from the National Heart Lung Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support development of a universal gene therapy for hemophilia A or B with or without inhibitors. Read More
Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder characterized by abnormal functioning of the glomerular filtration barrier, and is frequently caused by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). At the World Congress of Nephrology meeting this week, researchers presented a case report of a 32-year-old female patient with nephrotic syndrome caused by FSGS diagnosed when she was 27. Read More
Spikimm SAS has signed an exclusive collaboration and license option agreement with SATT Conectus Alsace SAS for monoclonal antibodies targeting the BK virus. Reactivation of the BK virus (BKV) in patients receiving kidney transplant, bone marrow or stem cell grafts has potential serious consequences. Read More
Mutations in GTPase KRAS occur in about 25% of human cancers, with the KRAS G12V mutation being one of the most frequent variants, and lead to activation of the MAPK pathway, thus promoting tumorigenesis. Read More
Palisade Bio Inc. has completed its analysis evaluating ex vivo bioactivation of PALI-2108, an orally administered, locally acting colon-specific phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor prodrug in development for ulcerative colitis. Read More
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC has disclosed phthalazine derivatives acting as NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of atherosclerosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH; metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis [MASH]), neuroinflammation, inflammatory skin disease, inflammatory joint disease, autoimmune disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, among others. Read More
Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. has synthesized vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of hyperkinesia and psychosis. Read More
Curevac NV and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have entered into a co-development and licensing agreement to develop novel mRNA-based cancer vaccines. Read More
Osaka University has identified radiolabeled tyrosine derivatives targeting large neutral amino acids transporter small subunit 1 (SLC7A5; LAT1) reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More
Shionogi & Co. Ltd. has divulged glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of obesity and diabetes type 2. Read More
The leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2 (LILRB2), also known as ILT4, is an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM)-containing receptor that is widely expressed on immunosuppressive myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. Read More
Biointervene Inc. has described adenosine analogues acting as adenosine A3 receptor (ADORA3) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment, diabetic neuropathy, irritable bowel syndrome, neurodegeneration, ototoxicity, neuropathic pain, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and spinocerebellar ataxia, among others. Read More
