A smart polymer contact lens measures intraocular pressure (IOP) in real time and automatically releases medication into the eye when IOP goes beyond a critical limit. This technological advance, developed by scientists at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), could enable personalized glaucoma therapy, avoiding poor patient adherence to their prescribed regimen and eliminating the need for bulky electronic devices. Animal models tolerate it well and, although the load is concentrated at the edges of the lens, it is still unknown how it could affect visual acuity. Read More
Founded amid the booming next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) space, Sidewinder Therapeutics Inc. has emerged from stealth with an oversubscribed $137 million series B round and plans to advance a lead program into the clinic in 2027. Read More
Proqr Therapeutics NV has highlighted the continued progression and expansion of its early-stage pipeline of RNA editing therapies, including programs in cholestatic diseases, Hurler syndrome, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and Rett syndrome. Read More
Cue Biopharma Inc. has reached a preclinical milestone in its collaboration and license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, following the latter’s selection of a first compound for lead optimization. The milestone triggers a $7.5 million payment to Cue. Read More
Understanding epi-transcriptome changes in diffuse midline gliomas H3 K27-altered (DMGs) could provide novel therapeutic options. RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a key epi-transcriptomic modification regulating RNA processes. A recently published study from the University of Sydney and collaborating institutions aimed to explore the m6A landscape in DMG. Read More
Ibio Inc. has received clinical trial notification (CTN) acknowledgement from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), as well as Human Research Ethics Committee approval, for IBIO-600, enabling the initiation of a first-in-human trial in Australia. Read More
The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification has a role in cancer progression, including renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). Recent work showed that KIAA1429, which serves as a scaffold for the m6A methyltransferase holocomplex, is significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and presents oncogenic roles in breast and gastric cancers. However, the potential role of KIAA1429 in clear cell RCC and its underlying regulatory mechanism remain largely unknown. Read More
Leonabio Inc. has patented new pannexin-1 (PANX1; MRS1) inhibitors described as useful for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, epilepsy and pain. Read More
Ewha Womans University and Gachon University have discovered new pyrazinocarbazole derivatives acting as transcriptional coactivator YAP1/transcriptional enhancer factor (TEAD) interaction inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Read More
CBL-B is a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase that acts as a negative regulator of T-cell activation, contributing to immune homeostasis by limiting excessive immune responses. In cancer, however, this inhibitory role can impair the immune system’s capacity to detect and eradicate tumor cells. Researchers from Genentech Inc. presented the design and optimization of a series of CBL-B-targeting molecular glues. Read More
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC (MSD) has synthesized new indazole derivatives acting as potassium/sodium hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 1 (HCN1) and HCN2 blockers potentially useful for the treatment of pain, tinnitus, neurological and mood disorders. Read More
Affirma Biotech SL has disclosed new programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1; PD-1; CD279)/PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1; CD274) interaction inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of cancer, bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Read More
Copper overload within the body may lead to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation or fibrosis, among others. Copper chelation is an effective strategy to counteract this potential overload; mitochondria play an important role, as they are the main copper-using organelles in the cells. Copper chelators have been developed, but they have shown some undesired off-target effects and low specificity, which suggests the need for new therapies in the field. Read More
