A paracrine hormone of skeletal muscle acts as an endocrine signal for the synthesis of a sex hormone. Scientists at McGill University have observed in mice how myostatin, which inhibits the development of muscle mass to control its growth, also stimulated the production of the pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), modulating ovarian function. The hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis could include an additional element through a yet unknown role in muscles. Read More

The activation of the adenosine A2A receptor, which is mediated by the inhibition of adenosine A1 receptor, has been associated with depression-like behavior and anhedonia. High levels of cortisol, increased oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme reduction are also contributors to the pathophysiology of depression. Read More

Repair Biotechnologies Inc. has received encouraging feedback from a pre-IND meeting with the FDA as it works toward an IND filing to conduct a phase Ib study of its REP-0003 mRNA therapy in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). Read More

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic described the efficacy of NPA-7, a potential first-in-class multivalent fusion protein comprising a sequence of 22 amino acids of human BNP fused to the Mas receptor agonist Ang 1-7. Read More

A disintegrin and metalloprotease domain-like protein decysin-1 (ADAMDEC1) is a multifunctional transmembrane glycoprotein that has been shown to promote metastasis and development of various tumor types by degrading the extracellular matrix. Scientists at Nankai University and affiliated organizations aimed to assess the regulatory mechanisms of ADAMDEC1 in the highly aggressive cancer cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Read More

Arrivent Biopharma Inc. has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Lepu Biopharma Co. Ltd. for MRG-007, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) in development for gastrointestinal cancers. Read More

Antibody Therapeutics Inc. has disclosed integrin receptor antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis and hepatic fibrosis. Read More

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is included in the World Health Organization’s Bacterial Priority Pathogen List 2024 because of its concerning ability to acquire and develop high levels of antimicrobial resistance. New-in-class antimicrobial options specifically targeting multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa are lacking. Read More

Hangzhou Polymed Biopharmaceuticals Inc. has synthesized crystalline forms of compounds acting as FLT3 (FLK2/STK1) and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular, neurological and inflammatory disorders. Read More

CVI Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has identified thyroid hormone receptor (THR)-β agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, thyroid cancer, obesity and hypothyroidism. Read More

X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA) is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the ALAS2 gene, which plays a critical role in heme biosynthesis within red blood cells. Read More

Researchers from Shenyang Pharmaceutical University and affiliated organizations have detailed the discovery and preclinical characterization of novel reversible lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) inhibitors as candidates for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy. Read More

Regor Pharmaceuticals Inc. has divulged phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, congenital lipomatous overgrowth, vascular malformations, epidermal naevi, skeletal abnormalities and scoliosis, among others. Read More

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a group of monogenic disorders caused by mutations in more than 280 genes, and are characterized by progressive degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Read More

Kangbaida (Sichuan) Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has described DNA polymerase θ (POLθ) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Additional early-stage research and drug discovery news in brief, from: Coya Therapeutics, Inmed Pharmaceuticals, Model Medicines, RS Biotherapeutics. Read More