Scientists at Duke University have uncovered how macrophages help maintain intraocular pressure and have found that a specific type, resident macrophages, is essential for proper drainage of intraocular fluid. When these cells are removed, drainage becomes impaired and intraocular pressure rises, contributing to the development of glaucoma. Read More

Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by GAA repeat expansions in the FXN gene, which produces a mitochondrial protein vital for iron-sulfur cluster assembly and energy metabolism. Researchers at Solid Biosciences Inc. presented preclinical data supporting the first-in-human trial on SGT-212 gene therapy in FA models. Read More

Acurastem Inc. has received a two-year research grant from Target ALS to advance therapeutics targeting SYF2, a recently identified regulator of TDP-43 function. TDP-43 dysfunction is a central biological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Read More

Counterx Therapeutics Inc. has executed an exclusive licensing agreement with the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington for a portfolio of novel monoclonal antibody and vaccine candidates targeting fentanyl and opioid overdose. Read More

Humanwell Healthcare (Group) Co. Ltd. has divulged molecular glue degraders comprising cereblon (CRBN)-binding agents acting as proto-oncogene Vav (VAV1) degradation inducers. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of autoimmune disease, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, periodontitis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and type I diabetes, among others. Read More

Casma Therapeutics Inc. has been awarded approximately $7.6 million in funding across two competitive grant programs from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to support Casma’s lead program, CSM-101. Read More

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease accompanied by pruritus, for which IL-13 and IL-31 are clinically validated targets. Earendil Labs Inc. has developed a bispecific antibody targeting both IL-13 and IL-31, HX-16108, with an extended half-life. Read More

Beijing Earthwise Technology Co. Ltd. has described E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase CBL-B (CBLB) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Endevica Bio Inc. has disclosed cyclic peptides acting as melanocortin MC1 and/or MC5 and/or MC3 and/or MC4 receptor agonists. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of substance abuse and dependence and diabetes. Read More

Keros Therapeutics Inc. has presented data regarding their activin receptor ligand trap, RKER-065, for the inhibition of the activin/myostatin signaling axis. Read More

Terns Pharmaceuticals Inc. has synthesized glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of diabetes, obesity, liver diseases and cardiometabolic syndrome. Read More

Synnovation Therapeutics Inc. has reported Werner syndrome ATP-dependent helicase (WRN; RECQ3; RECQL2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

University of Pennsylvania researchers investigated death receptor 5 (DR5 or CD262) as a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) target for solid tumors. Read More