Durable reprogramming of human T cells may now be possible thanks to a new technique based on the CRISPRoff and CRISPRon methodology. Researchers from the Arc Institute, Gladstone Institutes, and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) have stably silenced or activated genes in this type of immune cell without cutting or altering its DNA, making T cells more resistant, active, and effective against tumors. Read More
John Squires, the recently anointed director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, has determined that a machine learning (ML) patent application met the standard for patent subject matter eligibility, an outcome that seems to bode well for ML-based patent applications going forward. Read More
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of cancer, with a 5-year relative survival rate of only 13%. To understand cell fate decisions and progression in PDAC, it is crucial to clarify the communication networks between tumor cells.
Dewpoint Therapeutics Inc. has announced an IND in the U.S. for DPTX-3186, a first-in-class oral condensate modulator designed to selectively disrupt oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling in tumors. Dosing is set to begin before year-end in a phase I/II trial conducted in partnership with cancer centers and opinion leaders in gastric and other Wnt-driven cancers. Read More
Hirsutism is the excessive hair growth in women in male-typical areas, usually associated with androgen excess and other conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The genetic basis of hirsutism remains poorly understood; researchers from the University of Oulu and collaborators performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies from 4,834 cases of hirsutism and 352,966 controls across three cohorts. Read More
From Dolly the sheep to mRNA vaccines, BioWorld has been reporting every breakthrough and challenge along the way. Our commitment to accurate, contextualized journalism has helped readers navigate this fast-evolving industry for 35 years. Join us as we celebrate the milestones that shaped biopharma and medtech, then and now. Read More
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most prevalent long-term complication of diabetes, affecting up to 30% of individuals with type 1 diabetes within the first 10 years of diagnosis. Read More
Researchers at University of South China and collaborators have generated numerous carbamate-based N-benzoyl tryptamine derivatives for Alzheimer’s disease. Read More
Smartbax GmbH has announced the successful first closing of its €4.7 million (US$5.4 million) pre-series A financing round to support development of its next-generation antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. A second closing of the round remains open to investors. Read More
Ventus Therapeutics Inc. has entered into a multi-year collaboration with Genentech Inc., a member of the Roche Group, to discover and optimize novel small-molecule candidates for challenging targets in major disease areas using Ventus’ Resolve drug discovery platform. Read More
Merck KGaA has prepared and tested new antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) comprising monoclonal antibodies targeting sodium-dependent phosphate transport protein 2B (SLC34A2; NaPi-2b) linked to exatecan through a β-glucuronidase cleavable linker. They are described as potentially useful for the treatment of ovarian and non-small-cell lung cancer. Read More
University of Basel and NXI Therapeutics AG have jointly patented compounds targeting bromodomain-containing protein 3 (BRD3; RING3-like protein) to inhibit expression of coronin-1. They are described as potentially useful for the treatment of transplant rejection, autoimmune diseases, inflammation, infections and lymphoproliferative disorders. Read More
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder caused by a single point mutation in the β-globin gene, leading to the production of abnormal hemoglobin. Patients with SCD lacking a compatible donor for allogeneic hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell transplantation can benefit from gene therapy approaches.
AC Immune SA has synthesized thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-4(5H)-one derivatives acting as TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TARDBP; TDP-43) aggregation ligands reported to be useful for the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy and traumatic encephalopathy. Read More
Beijing Innocare Pharma Tech Co. Ltd. and Innocare Pharma Ltd. have identified compounds acting as interleukin-17A (IL-17A)/interleukin-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) interaction, interleukin-17A/A (IL17A/A) and interleukin-17A/F (IL17A/F) inhibitors. Read More
In a recent publication in iScience, researchers from Peking University First Hospital investigated the therapeutic potential of SLC7A11 CAR T therapy for solid tumors, particularly colorectal and pancreatic cancers.
Shanghai Apeiron Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has reported selenium-containing heterocyclic compounds acting as DNA polymerase theta (POLθ, POLQ) inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More
