https://www.bioworld.com/rss en-us Cancer researchers are increasingly turning to the microbiome to understand why some patients respond well to treatment while others face severe complications. Gut microbial communities shift during intensive therapies such as bone marrow transplantation, and those changes influence infection risk, immune recovery and long‑term survival. New advances in microbial sequencing and engineering redefine this community as a measurable clinical parameter that can be monitored, modeled, and even therapeutically reshaped to improve outcomes in oncology and other conditions. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732480 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732480-microbial-ecology-reshapes-cancer-care-diagnostics-and-therapies Illustration of bacteria, microorganisms in the gastrointestinal system Representing the fourth largest biopharma M&A announced in 2026, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. offered $85 per share in cash, or about $10 billion, to buy endocrine specialist Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Inc., adding the acromegaly drug Palsonify and a phase III asset, atumelnant, for congenital adrenocorticotropic hyperplasia (CAH). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732417 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732417-endocrinology-becomes-vertexs-fifth-pillar-with-10b-crinetics-buy Hand pointing at digital M&A screen Vera Therapeutics Inc. looks to get an almost five-month head start over a competitor, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., as the U.S. FDA cleared its Trutakna (atacicept) as the first dual BAFF/APRIL inhibitor for treating immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). The accelerated approval, which came on the July 7 PDUFA date, indicates Trutakna for use in reducing proteinuria in adults with primary IgAN at risk for disease progression. The drug is administered once weekly via auto-injector. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732416 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732416-veras-trutakna-wins-fda-nod-as-first-dual-inhibitor-for-igan Kidneys China Pharmaceutical University has patented new isochromanone compounds acting as proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. As such, they are described as potentially useful for the treatment of atherosclerosis, obesity, hepatic steatosis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732465 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732465-china-pharmaceutical-university-discovers-new-pcsk9-inhibitors In a recent study, researchers from Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine and collaborators aimed to identify novel insulinotropic small molecules related to ion channel modulation. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732456 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732456-mdc-134-enhances-glucose-dependent-cell-insulin-secretion Glucose metabolism illustration Insulin allows the glucose channel to open, allowing glucose to enter the cell. Mira Pharmaceuticals Inc. has reported results from preclinical studies evaluating an optimized oral formulation of SKNY-1, an oral drug candidate being developed for obesity and addiction-related disorders. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732455 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732455-mira-reports-results-on-optimized-oral-formulation-of-skny-1 Fuschia pills in blister packs Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a rare inherited lysosomal storage disorder characterized by progressive neurodegeneration resulting from loss of arylsulfatase A (ARSA) activity. Researchers at Kazan Federal University reported preclinical efficacy data for a gene therapy candidate in a porcine model of MLD. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732453 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732453-aavolig001-arsa-shows-promise-in-preclinical-mld-study Art concept for gene therapy research Alebund Pharmaceuticals (Jiangsu) Ltd. was the third Chinese biotech company to debut in Hong Kong this month, with June IPO proceeds from Alebund, Longbio Pharma Co. Ltd. and Shaanxi Micot Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. totaling about HK$4.7 billion (US$600 million). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732473 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732473-hk-biotech-listings-gain-traction-in-q2-with-trio-of-june-ipos HKEX on phone, digital stock chart Credit: piter2121 - stock.adobe.com Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. is buying Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Inc. for $85 per share in cash, which translates to about $10 billion in equity value. Both boards approved the transaction, expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732289 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732289-vertex-buying-crinetics-for-10b Ascletis Pharma Inc. has submitted two IND applications to the FDA for ASC-36 once-monthly injection and ASC-36_35 once-monthly injection co-formulation for the treatment of obesity. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732397 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732397-ascletis-submits-inds-for-asc-36-and-asc-36-35-for-obesity Bathroom scale and injector pens Brightgene Bio-Medical Technology Co. Ltd. has patented new calcitonin receptor (CALCR; CT-R) and amylin AMY3 receptor agonists potentially useful for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732390 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732390-brightgene-bio-medical-discovers-new-calcitonin-amy3-receptor-agonists FAM3D is a protein mainly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract, but also detectable in vascular endothelial cells. It is known to worsen intestinal inflammation by recruiting neutrophils, but its role in atherosclerosis is not well understood. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732378 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732378-targeting-fam3d-as-a-strategy-against-atherosclerosis Human heart within crosshairs Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB, a subsidiary of Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd., and Madrigal Pharmaceuticals Inc. have achieved the first drug candidate nomination within their siRNA partnership. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732357 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732357-ribocure-and-madrigal-nominate-sirna-drug-candidate-for-mash Illustration of RNA strands being delivered by nanoparticles Alebund Pharmaceuticals (Jiangsu) Ltd. was the third Chinese biotech company to debut in Hong Kong this month, with June IPO proceeds from Alebund, Longbio Pharma Co. Ltd. and Shaanxi Micot Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. totaling about HK$4.7 billion (US$600 million). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732393 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732393-hk-biotech-listings-gain-traction-in-q2-with-trio-of-june-ipos HKEX on phone, digital stock chart Credit: piter2121 - stock.adobe.com Corxel Pharmaceuticals Ltd.’s oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, CX-11, met the primary endpoints in a phase II trial evaluating the candidate in obese and overweight patients in the U.S., according to top-line results. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732349 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732349-corxel-vincentages-oral-glp-1-meets-phase-ii-obesity-endpoints Glass of water and tablets The gut microbiota may be altered in people with depression as a result of treatment. These microorganisms reorganize differently in individuals who respond to therapy. In a multiomics study of antidepressant-naive patients presented at the 2026 World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology (CINP), scientists from National Taiwan University found that patients who improved after antidepressant treatment maintained a more balanced and functional microbial ecosystem, recovered beneficial metabolites, and displayed blood-based biological signals that aligned with these changes. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732354 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732354-cinp-2026-gut-microbiota-could-predict-antidepressant-response Illustration demonstrating gut-brain axis Gensci-134 (Genescience Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.) is a growth hormone receptor (GHR) agonist fusion protein that mimics the biological activity of growth hormone (GH), does not contain GH sequence and selectively activates human GHR for the treatment of GH deficiency (GHD). It is designed to enable once-every-4-week dosing. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732314 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732314-gensci-134-a-long-acting-growth-hormone-receptor-agonist-fusion-protein 3D illustration of human growth hormone molecules Human growth hormone. Genescience Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has been developing an SLC6A19 inhibitor – Gensci-144 – for the potential treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732211 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732211-gensci-144-shows-renoprotection-in-ckd Illustration of diseased kidney The gut microbiota may be altered in people with depression as a result of treatment. These microorganisms reorganize differently in individuals who respond to therapy. In a multiomics study of antidepressant-naive patients presented at the 2026 World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology (CINP), scientists from National Taiwan University found that patients who improved after antidepressant treatment maintained a more balanced and functional microbial ecosystem, recovered beneficial metabolites, and displayed blood-based biological signals that aligned with these changes. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732204 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732204-cinp-2026-gut-microbiota-could-predict-antidepressant-response Illustration demonstrating gut-brain axis Graves’ disease is a form of autoimmune hyperthyroidism where the main extrathyroidal feature is thyroid eye disease. Autoantibodies that stimulate thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) are released and orchestrate hormone production in the thyroid tissue and the orbit. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. has developed REGN-24493, a monoclonal antibody (MAb) that binds TSHR and blocks its activation by those autoantibodies. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732191 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732191-regeneron-reports-tshr-blocking-mab-for-graves-disease Thyroid anatomy Hypoparathyroidism is a rare disorder characterized by low levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) that lead to low blood calcium levels and hyperphosphatemia. Septerna Inc. is developing a small-molecule PTH1 receptor (PTH1R) agonist, SEP-479, designed to replace PTH and normalize serum calcium. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732190 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732190-septerna-obtains-promising-preclinical-results-with-sep-479-for-hypoparathyroidism Photo of pipette with test tube Mwyngil Therapeutics Inc. has released promising in vivo proof-of-concept results from its GPR75 inverse agonist program, supporting the potential of GPR75 modulation as a differentiated therapeutic approach for obesity and cardiometabolic disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732188 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732188-mwyngils-gpr75-inverse-agonists-show-promise-for-obesity Obesity and heart disease illustration Cholesterol is essential for cell function, but its balance hinges on hepatic LDL receptor (LDLR) abundance, which dictates how efficiently the liver clears circulating lipoproteins. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) identified a Ral-dependent pathway by which elevated cholesterol intake reduces hepatic LDLR availability, pointing to a potential target for lipid-lowering therapies. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732186 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732186-cholesterol-rewrites-the-rules-of-ldl-clearance LDL particle binding to the LDL receptor LDL particle binding to the LDL receptor. Ascletis Pharma Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA for ASC-35, a once-monthly subcutaneously administered GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R)/GIP receptor (GIPR) dual peptide agonist, for the treatment of obesity. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732131 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732131-fda-clears-ind-for-ascletis-pharmas-asc-35-for-obesity Eli Lilly and Co. posted $19.8 billion in first-quarter 2026 revenue, driven by tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for obesity. The Indianapolis-based drugmaker is channeling cash flow from these blockbuster GLP-1 drugs into an aggressive dealmaking campaign — about $25.1 billion across 10 announced acquisitions so far this year and more than $26 billion in other closed deals. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732076 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732076-lillys-glp-1-windfall-fuels-m-and-a-land-grab-across-10-deals-25b Business handshake and holographic dollar sign Corxel Pharmaceuticals Ltd.’s oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, CX-11, met the primary endpoints in a phase II trial evaluating the candidate in obese and overweight patients in the U.S., according to top-line results. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732050 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732050-corxel-vincentages-oral-glp-1-meets-phase-ii-obesity-endpoints Glass of water and tablets Chinese peptide therapeutics developer Shaanxi Micot Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. is seeking up to HK$1.22 billion (US$155 million) in a Hong Kong IPO to advance its lead phase III chronic kidney disease candidate, MT-1013, and next-generation obesity therapies. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732154 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732154-chinas-micot-targets-hk12b-ipo-to-advance-metabolic-portfolio IPO, coins, upward arrow The industry is stepping up its campaign to persuade European governments to increase their drugs budgets, in what is described as a landmark report making the case that spending on patented drugs is not a cost to be contained, but an investment in health and the economy. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732066 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732066-efpia-report-every-1-spent-on-new-drugs-returns-567-to-europes-economy Pill with Euro currency symbol Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. has synthesized co-crystals of saroglitazar and chitosan acting as triglyceride-lowering agents found to be potentially useful for the treatment of dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732124 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732124-zydus-lifesciences-discloses-new-triglyceride-lowering-agents Lu-AG-22515, also known as velaprumig, is a recombinant fusion protein that targets CD40 ligand (CD40L) and human serum albumin (HSA), thereby blocking the binding between CD40 and CD40L, a known signaling pathway involved in several autoimmune diseases. Researchers at H. Lundbeck A/S evaluated the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profile of Lu-AG-22515 in cynomolgus monkeys, as well as the impact of its inhibitory effect in the preclinical setting of thyroid eye disease (TED). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732119 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732119-lundbecks-lu-ag-22515-shows-promise-in-thyroid-eye-disease Close up of eye and vision test