The largest genome-wide association study to date of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome has identified eight genetic loci that are significantly associated with the chronic debilitating condition. Onset of ME/CFS often is traced back to an infection and four of the loci involve genes that are expressed in response to viral or bacterial infections. Read More

Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is capable of causing severe illness at extremely low infectious doses through inhalation. No licensed tularemia vaccines exist in most Western countries, and current candidates lack efficacy against pneumonic forms. This highlights an urgent need for more effective vaccine strategies. Read More

Equillium Inc. has entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement with health care investors that will provide up to $50 million in gross proceeds to Equillium. The private placement will enable the company to advance its selective aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulator EQ-504 into the clinic. Read More

Sareum Holdings plc has entered into a strategic collaboration with Receptor.AI Ltd. to accelerate the discovery and optimization of blood-brain barrier (BBB)-permeable, isoform-selective TYK2/JAK1 inhibitors. The aim is to generate candidates suitable for preclinical development in neuroinflammatory indications, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Read More

LG Chem Ltd. has disclosed bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BD1 domain) (BRD4 BD1) and CREB-binding protein (CREBBP; CBP) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disorders and autoimmune disease. Read More

Mabylon AG has raised a total of CHF30 million (US$37 million) to advance its pipeline and support its work using human-derived, multi-specific antibodies for the treatment of allergies. The funding combines equity investment and a convertible loan. Read More

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for a substantial proportion of all breast cancers and is the most aggressive form of the disease. Identifying potential therapeutic targets is critical because the cancer does not express the three surface receptors recognized by current targeted therapies. Read More

Zhejiang University has synthesized isoquinoline derivatives reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, infections, autoimmune disease, and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and Inflammatory disorders. Read More

Jiangsu Vcare Pharmatech Co. Ltd. has identified S-adenosylmethionine synthase isoform type-2 (Mat2A) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Researchers continue to search for how they can inhibit cancer metastasis as it can severely worsen prognosis, even if the primary tumor responded well to therapy. Researchers at Università degli Studi di Torino and collaborators previously showed that injecting an RNA aptamer targeting the miRNA miR-214, called anti-miR-214 sponge, reduced metastasis of tumors to lungs and liver. One drawback of this potential therapeutic approach was that the inhibitor oligo could enter all cells, not only tumors. Read More

Innovstone Therapeutics Ltd. has divulged prodrugs of deuterated baloxavir marboxil derivatives acting as polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) (influenza virus) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of influenza A, influenza B and influenza C viral infections. Read More

Insilico Medicine Ltd. has described glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of Cushing’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, rhinitis, allergy and skin lesions. Read More

Lung cancer, which often occurs as lung adenocarcinoma, is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. At least 70% of lung adenocarcinoma patients fail to show long-term benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors, highlighting the need to identify in advance those more likely to benefit. Read More