Amazon is extending the reach of its “everything store” into drug R&D with the launch of an artificial intelligence-powered Bio Discovery business. The company has compiled a catalogue of 40-plus foundation models that have been trained on extensive biology datasets and are able to generate and evaluate drug molecules in silico. For now, this covers antibodies only, but it is intended to move into other modalities. Read More
While most human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are cleared by the host immune system, persistent infection with high-risk HPV genotypes, particularly HPV16 and HPV18, can promote cervical cancer development. Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology reported the development and preclinical characterization of KDTV-001, an HPV vaccine comprising a nonreplicating adenovirus type 5 vector encoding a codon-optimized fusion protein of the early antigens E6 and E7 derived from HPV genotypes 16, 18 and 52. Read More
Glyconex Inc. has received approval from Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) for the initiation of a first-in-human phase I trial of GNX-1021, the company’s lead antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate, in patients with advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Read More
Mabwell (Shanghai) Bioscience Co. Ltd. has announced that SST-001 (18F-FD4), an α-synuclein-targeted PET tracer developed by Mabwell’s incubated company Synusight Biotech, has received clinical trial clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The planned phase I trial will enroll healthy volunteers, patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), and patients with Parkinson’s disease. Read More
Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has patented new proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTACs) compounds comprising an E3 ubiquitin ligase-binding moiety covalently linked to cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) targeting moiety potentially useful for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Read More
The U.S. FDA’s latest draft guidance on gene therapies focuses on nonclinical studies using next-generation sequencing-based methods and bioinformatics to evaluate safety risks associated with off-target editing and loss of genome integrity in human gene-edited products. Read More
Microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase-like protein (MASTL) is a key regulator of mitotic progression and cell-cycle control. Researchers from the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences reported the preclinical efficacy of MKI-3, a selective MASTL inhibitor. Read More
Work at Trained Therapeutix Discovery Inc. has led to the development of new mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR; FRAP1) inhibitors and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-derived nanoparticles potentially useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, inflammatory and cardiovascular disorders. Read More
The discovery and development of new histone lysine acetyltransferase KAT6 inhibitors is a significant advancement in the management of breast cancer. Investigators from Olema Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Aurigene Oncology Ltd. recently presented data for their KAT6 inhibitor, OP-3136, as an approach for breast cancer. Read More
Arvinas Inc. has identified new proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) comprising an E3 ubiquitin ligase coupled to a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 1 (MAP4K1; HPK1; MEKKK1)-targeting moiety acting as HPK1 degradation inducers designed for use in the treatment of cancer. Read More
Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. has discovered new peptides acting as corticotropin-releasing factor CRF2 receptor agonists potentially useful for the treatment of obesity. Read More
Transient receptor potential melastatin 3 (TRPM3) is a calcium-permeable TRP channel that is highly expressed in somatosensory neurons, including nociceptors of rodents and humans. Its activation triggers acute pain, making drugs that target TRPM3 a potential approach to alleviate pain. Biohaven Ltd.’s BHV-2100 is the only selective TRPM3 antagonist in clinical development. The company recently disclosed the work leading to its discovery and early development, as well as the chemical structure. Read More
