Bacteria also defend themselves against pathogen attacks using mechanisms like those of the immune system. But if there is a system to repel an attack, it can also be dismantled. Scientists at the University of Southampton have described the components of Kiwa, a protein complex that blocks the entry of phage DNA, which are viruses that infect bacteria. They have also uncovered how Kiwa interacts with other bacterial defense strategies. Read More
Dysregulation of cholinergic neurotransmission through muscarinic receptors, particularly the M1 and M4 subtypes, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Muscarinic M4 receptor agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have demonstrated the ability to modulate the disrupted neural circuits associated with this disorder. Read More
Immunitas Therapeutics Inc. has revealed preclinical data supporting development of its potentially first-in-class, fully human anti-CD161 antibody, IMT-380. CD161-expressing T-cell subsets have been implicated in autoimmune diseases due to their production of inflammatory cytokines and presence in inflamed tissues. Read More
The U.S. FDA has cleared Actio Biosciences Inc.’s IND application and granted fast track designation to ABS-1230, an expected first-in-class, orally administered small-molecule KCNT1 inhibitor, for the treatment of KCNT1-related epilepsy. Read More
In a recent publication, researchers from The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (China) and collaborators investigated the association between phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) expression in thyroid cancer tissues and clinicopathological features, postoperative recurrence and prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). These observations may help advance clinical assessment and provide references for intervention strategies. Read More
Valitor Inc. has presented preclinical results on VLTR-559, its long-acting anti-VEGF biologic candidate for durable wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). VLTR-559, developed using Valitor’s proprietary Multivalent Polymer (MVP) technology, demonstrated prolonged ocular retention and maintained high potency even after months in ocular tissues. Read More
Investigators at Yonsei University have reported findings from studies conducted to identify small molecules capable of disaggregating amyloid-β42 (Aβ42) aggregates, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Read More
Beone Medicines (Beijing) Co. Ltd. has disclosed an antibody-drug conjugate comprising an antibody targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 isoform 2 (FGFR2; FGFR2b) covalently linked to cytotoxic agent through a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and gastric cancer. Read More
Primelink Biotherapeutics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. has discovered molecular glue degraders acting as eukaryotic peptide chain release factor GTP-binding subunit ERF3A (GSPT1) degradation inducers reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More
The threat of another influenza pandemic arising from bird-to-human and then human-to-human transmission drives continuing efforts to develop effective vaccines against avian influenza. In the latest advance in this area, researchers at Novavax Inc. have reported a new vaccine against avian influenza strain A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b. Read More
Beijing Tide Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has divulged nanobody-drug conjugates comprising a nanobody targeting B7 homolog 3 (B7-H3, CD276) covalently bound to exatecan through a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of lung cancer. Read More
Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic and National Institutes of Health investigated the role of the neurobeachin (NBEA) gene in predicting weight loss response to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. Read More
