https://www.bioworld.com/rss en-us With full phase II results in hand, MBX Biosciences Inc. backers are stacking the odds of parathyroid hormone (PTH) peptide prodrug canvuparatide (canvu) against Yorvipath (palopegteriparatide} from Ascendis Pharma A/S, a PTH analog cleared by the U.S. FDA in August 2024 for hypoparathyroidism (HP). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731813 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731813-street-canvu-mbx-phase-ii-hp-data-more-than-one-way 3D illustration of thyroid in human body with parathyroid glands highlighted Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) signaling regulates key metabolic processes, including postprandial insulin secretion, appetite control, lipid storage and overall energy balance. Researchers from Antag Therapeutics Aps presented preclinical efficacy data on the combination of AT-7687, a GIPR antagonist, and cagrilintide in obese insulin-resistant monkeys. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731855 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731855-antags-gipr-antagonist-shows-promise-in-obesity-and-cardiometabolic-disease Illustration of glucose molecules in a bloodstream In a repeat move, the U.S. FDA issued yet again a complete response letter (CRL) to Camurus AB for its subcutaneous extended-release injection drug CAM-2029 (octreotide) to treat the rare chronic growth disorder acromegaly. The drug, which expects to be branded Oclaiz in the U.S. upon approval, is called Oczyesa in the EU and the U.K., where it received marketing authorization in 2025. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731805 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731805-another-fda-no-for-camurus-monthly-acromegaly-drug-oclaiz FDA icons and doctor Laekna Inc. is handing ex-China rights to internally discovered PI3Kα pan-mutant selective inhibitor LAE-118 to U.S.-based Vasque Bio Inc. in a deal worth up to $527 million, marking another asset-monetization move by the Shanghai company as it looks to fund and accelerate development across its oncology and metabolic disease pipeline. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731802 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731802-laekna-licenses-lae-118-ex-china-to-vasque-in-527m-deal Deal handshake with graphic overlay Former principal officers of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have hit back at the association’s board and CEO after it prohibited the distribution of an editorial published in its flagship journal Diabetes Care at the ADA’s meeting in New Orleans last Friday. Diabetes Care at the ADA’s meeting in New Orleans last Friday.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731872 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731872-researchers-hit-back-after-colleagues-removed-from-ada-meeting Hands holding paper Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) compounds have become game changers in the treatment of obesity, but they have limitations due to long-term efficacy, lean mass preservation and tolerability in certain populations. Mitorx Therapeutics Ltd. has presented data for MTRX-31 (Myo-004), a mitochondrial-targeted compound that provides an alternative mode of action for treating obesity. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731840 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731840-mtrx-31-restores-mitochondrial-metabolism-in-obesity Art concept for metabolism Researchers from Verdiva Bio Ltd. and collaborators recently presented preclinical data on VRB-103, an oral amylin analogue, comparing its profile with those of cagrilintide and eloralintide, two subcutaneously administered analogues currently in clinical development. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731839 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731839-vrb-103-shows-potent-and-selective-amylin-receptor-activity Beta cells β cell. Credit: Melton laboratory, Harvard University Researchers from Ractigen Therapeutics Co. Ltd. presented preclinical data on LiCO-saUcp1, a small activating RNA (saRNA) therapeutic designed to upregulate UCP1 expression in adipose tissue. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731837 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731837-ractigens-sarna-therapy-delivers-sustained-fat-loss-while-preserving-muscle Illustration of adipose tissue under the skin Ethyreal Bio Inc. has launched with $101 million in financing and a focus on developing precision therapies for thyroid diseases with high unmet need. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731836 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731836-ethyreal-bio-launches-with-focus-on-thyroid-diseases Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used in diabetes and obesity, could alleviate depression through a pathway that does not depend on the GLP-1 receptor but instead on the gut microbiota, since the treatment increases the presence of the bacterium Lactobacillus delbrueckii. This symbiotic microorganism produces a lipid that modulates neuronal activity, normalizing the hyperactivation of brain regions in mice involved in emotional processing, which ultimately reduces depressive behaviors. Lactobacillus delbrueckii. This symbiotic microorganism produces a lipid that modulates neuronal activity, normalizing the hyperactivation of brain regions in mice involved in emotional processing, which ultimately reduces depressive behaviors.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731833 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731833-microbiota-modulates-the-antidepressant-effects-of-glp-1-analogues Illustration of Lactobacillus Lactobacillus Former principal officers of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have hit back at the association’s board and CEO after it prohibited the distribution of an editorial published in its flagship journal Diabetes Care at the ADA’s meeting in New Orleans last Friday. Diabetes Care at the ADA’s meeting in New Orleans last Friday.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731723 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731723-researchers-hit-back-after-colleagues-removed-from-ada-meeting Hands holding paper Scientists at Columbia University have used base editing to make precise changes in the genomes of human embryos, avoiding the damage to chromosomes that occurs following two-stranded DNA cuts with conventional CRISPR/Cas9 editing. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731851 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731851-columbia-researchers-use-base-editing-to-modify-human-embryo-genome DNA double helix under a magnifying glass Shanghai Curegene Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has identified thyroid hormone receptor β (THR-β) agonists that are potentially useful for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD; NAFLD), diabetes and obesity. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731788 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731788-shanghai-curegene-pharmaceutical-divulges-new-thr-agonists Syntax Bio Inc. has established a research and development collaboration with Mayo Clinic focused on advancing stem cell-derived pancreatic cell therapies for type 1 diabetes. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731779 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731779-syntax-bio-and-mayo-clinic-partner-in-type-1-diabetes Pancreas illustration Dexcom Inc. and Insulet Corp. reported new clinical trial data on their diabetes technologies at the 2026 Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in New Orleans, offering insights that could aid in clinical adoption. Abbott Laboratories, meanwhile, highlighted the risks of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and presented data showing the growing challenge of identifying DKA as it can develop quickly and mimic common illnesses. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731707 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731707-pumps-patches-and-fixes-at-the-ada Dexcom G7 CGM Dexcom Inc.’s G7 continuous glucose monitoring system. Extracellular matrix specialist Engitix Ltd. is teaming up with GSK plc to delve into the mechanisms underlying regression of fibrosis after treatment for chronic liver disease, and identify and validate new drug targets involved in this process. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731798 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731798-engitix-seals-gsk-deal-for-targets-to-reverse-liver-fibrosis Liver Eli Lilly and Co. has synthesized glucagon receptor (GCGR) agonists found to be potentially useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731770 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731770-eli-lilly-identifies-new-gcgr-agonists At the recent American Diabetes Association meeting, researchers from Century Therapeutics Inc. presented preclinical efficacy data on CNTY-813, an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell therapy engineered using the company’s proprietary Allo-Evasion 5.0 platform. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731758 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731758-cnty-813-enables-durable-glucose-control-without-immunosuppression-need Illustration of pancreas, close up of islet Extracellular matrix specialist Engitix Ltd. is teaming up with GSK plc to delve into the mechanisms underlying regression of fibrosis after treatment for chronic liver disease, and identify and validate new drug targets involved in this process. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731693 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731693-engitix-seals-gsk-deal-for-targets-to-reverse-liver-fibrosis Liver Shenzhen Hightide Biopharmaceutical Ltd. has identified new peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) and PPARα dual agonists potentially useful for the treatment of obesity, aging, cardiovascular disorders, heart failure, inflammatory disorders, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD; NAFLD), metabolic syndrome and renal failure. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731667 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731667-dual-ppar-agonists-reported-in-shenzhen-hightide-biotechnology-patent 17-β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13) and lipid transferase CIDEB are known to contribute to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) progression, where HSD17B13 exacerbates hepatic lipid metabolism, while CIDEB mainly mediates lipid droplet dynamics and storage. In this context, Frontier Biotechnologies Inc. has presented data on FB-7033, a bispecific siRNA approach targeting both HSD17B13 and CIDEB for the management of MASH. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731658 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731658-fb-7033-demonstrates-efficacy-in-mash-management Liver disease Transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a crucial central signaling molecule of hepatic cell death, inflammation and fibrogenesis through NF-κB and MAPK in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Its pharmacological inhibition using the TAK1 inhibitor HS-276 was tested in vivo in a murine model of diet-induced MASLD. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731600 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731600-tak1-emerges-as-a-therapeutic-target-in-masld Illustration of doctors examining a liver with magnifier and microscope There is a growing consensus that alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) should be considered a metabolic disorder under the influence of the gut-liver axis. Metabolome data have highlighted fatty acid-activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) as the main affected pathways, where the relationship of G-protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) with ALD remains unexplored. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731599 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731599-gpr119-activation-ameliorates-alcohol-related-liver-disease Photomicrograph of liver biopsy in a patient with cirrhosis. Photomicrograph of liver biopsy in a patient with cirrhosis, showing bridging septal fibrosis and regenerative nodules. Stained with trichrome to highlight fibrosis (blue). D&D Pharmatech Inc. announced May 27 positive top-line tissue biopsy results of zabopegdutide (DD-01) from a 48-week phase II study of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), pushing company shares up 30% on the day. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731650 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731650-d-and-ds-zabopegdutide-shows-more-upbeat-top-line-phase-ii-mash-data Art concept for liver damage, such as fatty liver, fibrosis or cirrhosis Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. secured a $1.26 billion deal with Eli Lilly and Co. to out-license ex-Korea rights to sonefpeglutide (HM-15912), a Lapscovery-based glucagon-like peptide-2 analog in development for multiple indications, including an ongoing phase II study of short bowel syndrome. It was one of two billion-dollar Asian company deals signed by Lilly on June 1, with the second transaction involving Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., of Beijing. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731645 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731645-hanmi-haisco-win-billion-dollar-partnerships-with-eli-lilly Hanmi signage Credit: Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Alterations in PNPLA3, particularly the I148M variant, impair lipid metabolism in hepatocytes, leading to lipid accumulation and driving progression from steatosis to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Targeting this genetic driver may offer a strategy to reduce steatosis and limit disease progression. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731582 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731582-ax-2911-shows-in-vivo-activity-by-correcting-pnpla3-in-mash Liver illustration Credit: Georgia State University Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is characterized by lipid accumulation in the liver and inflammation. Sterol O-acyltransferase 2 (SOAT2) is a key enzyme in intestinal absorption and hepatic secretion of cholesterol. PRD Therapeutics Inc. has developed PRD-001, a selective SOAT2 inhibitor currently in phase I trials for MASH. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731581 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731581-prd-001-shows-synergy-with-rezdiffra-for-treating-mash Liver disease Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. secured a $1.26 billion deal with Eli Lilly and Co. to out-license ex-Korea rights to sonefpeglutide (HM-15912), a Lapscovery-based glucagon-like peptide-2 analog in development for multiple indications, including an ongoing phase II study of short bowel syndrome. It was one of two billion-dollar Asian company deals signed by Lilly on June 1, with the second transaction involving Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., of Beijing. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731459 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731459-hanmi-haisco-win-billion-dollar-partnerships-with-eli-lilly Hanmi signage Credit: Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Muna Therapeutics Aps has patented new dihydropyrrolopyrimidinone compounds acting as triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) agonists potentially useful for the treatment of osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD; NAFLD), neurodegeneration and inflammatory bowel disease, among others. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731569 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731569-muna-therapeutics-discloses-trem2-agonists Deep Apple Therapeutics Inc. has divulged new alkylphenyl substituted compounds acting as gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) antagonists potentially useful for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731567 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731567-deep-apple-therapeutics-synthesizes-gipr-antagonists