Things once done in laboratories can now be done with computers and AI, said Kim Woo-youn, CEO and cofounder of Hits Inc. “We live in the age of ‘digital alchemy,’” Kim told BioWorld, describing how AI is shifting some drug discovery processes from physical to virtual spaces. Read More
Approaches that recruit and activate tumor-infiltrating T cells could help reshape the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, making immunotherapy more effective for patients with microsatellite stability and low microsatellite instability colorectal cancers. Oncolytic viruses can offer an alternative to help stimulate the antitumor immunity in ‘cold’ tumors. Read More
Peptidream Inc. has announced progression of an oral dual IL-17A and IL-17F macrocyclic peptide inhibitor for psoriasis, with the program entering the company’s clinical development portfolio. Read More
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. has licensed exclusive worldwide rights to TNX-4900 (formerly PW-507) from Rutgers University. TNX-4900 is a highly selective, small-molecule sigma-1 receptor (S1R) antagonist, which has demonstrated analgesic activity in multiple models of neuropathic pain. Read More
Researchers from Aera Therapeutics Inc. reported the preclinical profile of AERA-109, a novel, targeted in vivo CAR T therapy designed to treat B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. Read More
Recludix Pharma Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA to advance REX-8756 (SAR-448755), an oral STAT6 inhibitor for inflammatory diseases, into phase I testing. REX-8756 is an oral, selective STAT6 inhibitor that employs a novel therapeutic approach by targeting STAT6’s SH2 domain. Read More
Pheno Therapeutics Ltd. has disclosed uracil nucleotide/cysteinyl leukotriene receptor (GPR17; P2Y-Like) antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Read More
A team at the University of Macau aimed to develop a novel peptide targeting the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-TNFR2 interaction as a selective regulatory T cell (Treg) stimulator. Through phage display screening, they identified the peptide UMR2-705 that functions as an agonist that enhances TNF-induced Treg expansion. Read More
Nchroma Bio Inc. has received a certificate for clinical trial in Hong Kong to initiate a first-in-human phase I/II trial of CRMA-1001 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Dosing is expected to begin early next year. Read More
Researchers at Meiji Seika Pharma Co. Ltd., National Center of Neurology & Psychiatry and Tokyo University of Pharmacy & Life Sciences have synthesized NAD(+) H\hydrolase SARM1 (SAMD2; MyD88-5) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of neurodegeneration. Read More
Chinese University of Hong Kong has identified peptides acting as serine/arginine-rich protein-specific kinase 1 (SRSF protein kinase 1; SRPK1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of lung cancer, breast cancer, coronavirus acute respiratory syndrome, hepatitis and herpes viral infections. Read More
Modex Therapeutics Inc. has developed MDX-2003, a first-in-class tetraspecific T-cell engager targeting CD19 and CD20 on B cells, while co-engaging CD3 and CD28 on T cells. Read More
Kong’s Pharmaceutical Co. has divulged Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1; TC25) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer and neurologic disorders. Read More
Scientists at Osaka University and Tokyo University of Science have described compounds targeting Claudin-5 (CLDN5) acting as blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability regulators reported to be useful for the treatment of sepsis, cerebral edema, infections, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, psychiatric disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, among others. Read More
Sanegenebio has obtained clinical trial clearance in China for SGB-7342, an siRNA medicine targeting inhibin β E (INHBE) for the treatment of obesity. A phase I trial is scheduled to begin early next year. Read More
