Two simultaneous but independent studies published in Science identified, by introducing mutants into its genome, the essential and nonessential genes of Plasmodium knowlesi, one of the malaria parasites related to the dreaded Plasmodium vivax. Their results could help in the development and prioritization of antimalarial strategies. Read More

Within the immune system, interleukin-15 (IL-15) plays a relevant role by boosting the number of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells, the major drivers of anticancer immune response. Researchers from Sotio Biotech AS, MD Anderson and collaborators reported preclinical data on nanrilkefusp alfa (nanril; SOT-101), an IL-15 receptor βγ superagonist that stimulates both CD8+ T and NK cells in the tumor microenvironment. Read More

The Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation and Wellcome have announced the launch of the Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator (Gr-ADI), a $50 million investment that will focus on combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) caused by a specific range of bacteria that are among the leading contributors to AMR-associated deaths. Read More

Xilio Therapeutics Inc. has announced three wholly owned preclinical programs for masked T-cell engagers targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) and six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 1 (STEAP1). Read More

Lycia Therapeutics Inc. has reported progress in its immunology pipeline that comprises lysosomal targeting chimera (LYTAC)-based protein degradation therapies. The company is advancing its two lead programs toward the clinic: LCA-0061, a Catalytac degrader that catalytically degrades IgE, and LCA-0321, a Lytac degrader designed to specifically bind and rapidly deplete anti-thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) autoantibodies. Read More

With the first company in the world announcing more than $1 billion in annual revenue from pulsed field ablation on Feb. 5, Clarivate plc and BioWorld MedTech’s latest report provides well-timed insight into the stunning growth and bright future of this new medical technology for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Read More

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC patents report the development of proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) compounds comprising an E3 ubiquitin ligase (Von Hippel-Lindau disease tumor suppressor [VHL] ligands) coupled to GTPase KRAS (G12D mutant)-targeting moiety through a linker. Read More

Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and accumulation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregates are the major hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Read More

Brii Biosciences Inc. has identified substituted 2-(3,5-dichloro-4-(4-hydroxy-benzyl)phenoxy)acetamide derivatives that are prodrugs of thyroid hormone receptor β (TH-β) agonists and reported to be useful for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Read More

Work at Exelixis Inc. has led to the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) comprising antibodies targeting interleukin-13 receptor subunit α2 (IL-13RA2, IL-13R-α2) covalently linked to a payload. They are described as potentially useful for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Read More

Researchers from Wuyi University presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of kinesin spindle protein (KSP) degraders developed using proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology. Read More

Heterocyclic insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R; CD221) inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (Graves’ ophthalmopathy) have been disclosed in a Horizon Therapeutics Ltd. patent. Read More

The University of Minnesota has patented flavones having senolytic activity that are described as useful for the treatment of aging and Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. Read More

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and developing new therapeutic approaches constitutes an urgent healthcare priority. Almost one-third of patients surviving myocardial infarction (MI) develop heart failure (HF), in part due to damage caused by the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria. Read More

Multiple sulfatase deficiency is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the SUMF1 gene, which encodes formylglycine generating enzyme (FGE), which catalyzes the post-translational modification of all known 17 sulfatases. Read More