An investigation of the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of neuropathic pain in the UK Biobank has led to the discovery of a new pain gene and potential analgesic drug target in the peripheral nervous system. The gene, SLC45A4 (solute carrier 45A4), codes for a transporter that is involved in trafficking polyamines known to be involved in pain, across the cell membrane. Read More
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) launched a new industry-academia-research consortium to support the nation’s organoid industry, expected to grow in light of the U.S. FDA’s shift away from animal testing in the development of novel drugs. Read More
Shattuck Labs Inc. has reported that its IND from the U.S. FDA for SL-325 for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease is now in effect. The company expects to commence a phase I trial in healthy volunteers in the third quarter of this year. Read More
Inhibiting emopamil binding protein (EBP), an enzyme involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, promotes the formation of oligodendrocytes, a potential approach for the management of multiple sclerosis (MS); Genentech Inc. has presented data regarding their oral and brain-penetrant EBP inhibitor GNE-3406. Read More
Researchers from Arkansas State University synthesized a library of thiazole derivatives, and these compounds were subsequently screened for their antibacterial activity both in vitro and in vivo. Read More
Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) has awarded Baxiva AG $3 million to develop its multivalent glycoconjugate vaccine. Read More
Researchers at Université de Montréal and collaborators have succeeded in preparing a highly immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 vaccine using the Accum platform. Read More
Oncolytic viruses are being actively explored as cancer therapies because they preferentially infect tumor cells and cause their lysis. At the same time, the viruses can accommodate transgenes that can stimulate anti-cancer responses in the local tumor microenvironment. Read More
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most frequent inherited muscle disease and no cure is available. The condition is currently treated with corticosteroids, which can cause substantial side effects. Read More
Cardiac hypertrophy is a main contributor to heart failure, where therapeutic options are limited. Increasing evidence exists regarding up-regulation of histone lysine-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) in patients with cardiac hypertrophy as a risk factor, although the mechanisms behind are not well understood. Read More
Certa Therapeutics Pty Ltd. has disclosed ovarian cancer G-protein coupled receptor 1 (GPR68; OGR1) antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, inflammation and fibrosis. Read More
Insmed Inc. has synthesized cathepsin C (dipeptidyl peptidase I) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, asthma, cancer, chronic rhinosinusitis, heart failure, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and thrombosis, among others. Read More
Jazz Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd. has identified compounds acting as GTPase KRAS and its mutant inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More
Inventisbio Co. Ltd. and Inventisbio LLC have divulged Werner syndrome helicase (WRN; RECQ3; RECQL2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More
Podium Bio Ltd. has described compounds acting as apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of chronic kidney disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, HIV-associated nephropathy, microalbuminuria, renal disorders and lupus nephritis. Read More
