https://www.bioworld.com/rss en-us New drug approvals, financings and deals were seen across the Asia-Pacific biotech sector this week, with China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) granting clearances to Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s oral orexin receptor 2 agonist oveporexton for narcolepsy, as well as Haisco Pharmaceutical Group’s ciprocopan (HSK-39297) for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732867 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732867-apac-roundup-nmpa-nods-lupins-16m-spinoff-car-t-data-more Globe isolated on white background with focus on Asia and Australia After a decade of research, the NIH 4D Nucleome program on July 23 delivered a wealth of new insights into how spatial changes in chromatin structure and DNA methylation regulate gene expression in health and disease. In a collection of eight papers published in Science and Science Advances, researchers describe how they have applied single-cell level multi-omics data and tools and techniques developed in the first part of the 4D Nucleome program to track changes in the noncoding part of the genome that are involved in heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, brain aging, retinal health and immune cell development. Science and Science Advances, researchers describe how they have applied single-cell level multi-omics data and tools and techniques developed in the first part of the 4D Nucleome program to track changes in the noncoding part of the genome that are involved in heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, brain aging, retinal health and immune cell development.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732973 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732973-4d-nucleome-opens-new-wave-of-gene-regulation-research-discovery Cell nucleus architecture Apertura Gene Therapy LLC has announced its participation in a consortium selected to receive funding from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) THRIVE program to develop gene therapies for rare childhood diseases. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732900 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732900-apertura-gene-therapy-joins-thrive-consortium Brain and DNA Researchers from Changchun Genescience Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. described the discovery and preclinical profile of an NLRP3 inhibitor with favorable brain penetration designed for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732899 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732899-brain-penetrant-nlrp3-inhibitor-shows-promise-in-parkinsons Drug capsule spilling onto brain Transcripta Bio Inc. has raised $24 million since its series A to fund IND-enabling studies across its portfolio and support clinical preparation in its autism spectrum disorder and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy programs. The company’s pipeline also includes programs for myotonic dystrophy and Huntington’s disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732897 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732897-transcripta-bio-raises-funding-to-advance-neuro-pipeline Business pipeline illustration After a decade of research, the NIH 4D Nucleome program on July 23 delivered a wealth of new insights into how spatial changes in chromatin structure and DNA methylation regulate gene expression in health and disease. In a collection of eight papers published in Science and Science Advances, researchers describe how they have applied single-cell level multi-omics data and tools and techniques developed in the first part of the 4D Nucleome program to track changes in the noncoding part of the genome that are involved in heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, brain aging, retinal health and immune cell development. Science and Science Advances, researchers describe how they have applied single-cell level multi-omics data and tools and techniques developed in the first part of the 4D Nucleome program to track changes in the noncoding part of the genome that are involved in heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, brain aging, retinal health and immune cell development.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732853 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732853-4d-nucleome-opens-new-wave-of-gene-regulation-research-discovery Cell nucleus architecture Jiangxi Kerui Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has reported new sodium channel protein type 10 subunit α (SCN10A; Nav1.8) blockers reported to be useful for the treatment of acute pain. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732891 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732891-jiangxi-kerui-pharmaceutical-identifies-new-nav18-blockers Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) selectively activates NPY4 receptors, a signaling pathway that may become impaired as NPY levels decline during Alzheimer’s disease progression. Researchers from Henan University of Chinese Medicine described P1642-1, a novel PP analogue, in the 5×FAD mouse model of AD. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732879 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732879-p1642-1-shows-neuroprotective-effects-in-alzheimers-model Neurons and amyloid plaques Mentari Therapeutics Inc. has announced a $200 million private placement to support continued development of its pipeline of targeted biologics for migraine. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732877 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732877-mentari-therapeutics-raises-funds-to-support-migraine-pipeline Brain maze Insilico Medicine Cayman Topco has nominated ISM-9528 as a preclinical candidate for pain management. ISM-9528 targets an undisclosed novel mechanism to offer a brain-penetrant, orally available, non-opioid treatment option for pain. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732876 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732876-insilico-medicine-nominates-ism-9528-as-candidate-analgesic BChE inhibition can restore cholinergic signaling and may limit amyloid aggregation, while Nrf2 activation strengthens antioxidant defenses, suppresses neuroinflammation and protects against ferroptosis. Simultaneous modulation of these pathways is therefore expected to provide broader neuroprotection than single-target approaches and may better address the multifactorial nature of AD. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732828 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732828-dual-bche-nrf2-modulator-shows-benefit-in-alzheimers-models Illustration of damaged brain, neurons Estrigenix Therapeutics Inc. has closed the first $2 million tranche of a seed financing to move its selective estrogen receptor-β (ERβ) platform through translational preclinical development. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732823 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732823-estrigenix-therapeutics-raises-financing-to-advance-er-platform Dollar sign in lightbulb Axiom Biosciences, rebranded from Cytonus Therapeutics Inc. in June 2026, plans to be one of the first U.S. biotechs to IPO on the main board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. The San Diego-based company is preparing audits as the first step to a potential IPO in 2027. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732752 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732752-us-based-axiom-plans-hong-kong-listing HKEX exterior Credit: Lewis Tse Pui Lung - stock.adobe.com Conventional transplantation approaches using neural progenitors have emerged as a potential alternative for stroke treatment, but their efficacy is limited by poor survival and insufficient migration and integration in the post-stroke environment. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732807 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732807-hipsc-derived-inhibitory-interneurons-show-promise-as-regenerative-therapy-for-cortical-stroke Illustration of brain with neuron receptor Researchers from Ractigen Therapeutics Co. Ltd. described the preclinical profile of RAG-17, an siRNA therapy designed to knockdown the expression of SOD1, conjugated to a smart chemistry aided delivery (SCAD) system for enhanced CNS delivery via intrathecal injection. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732805 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732805-rag-17-silences-sod1-extends-survival-in-als-preclinical-models 3D illustration of motor neuron damaged by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis The Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) has awarded a 2-year grant to Frances Arnold, PhD, winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, to develop new molecular tools that could help advance future RNA-targeted therapeutics for Angelman syndrome. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732804 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732804-angelman-syndrome-molecular-tool-research-awarded-fast-grant Illustration of RNA strands in red and white Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Hansoh Biomedical Co. Ltd. have reported new dopamine D1 and/or D5 receptor partial agonists. As such, they are reported to be useful for the treatment schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette disease, sleep disorder, pain, autism spectrum disorder, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, among others. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732795 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732795-hansoh-patents-new-dopamine-d1-5-receptor-partial-agonists Researchers from the Universities of Bologna and Torino recently presented their hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy (HSC-GT) strategy based on microglia-mediated delivery using a lentiviral vector encoding a secretable, cell-penetrating CDKL5 protein (Igκ-TATk-CDKL5). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732786 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732786-cdkl5-gene-therapy-rescues-behavioral-cognitive-and-synaptic-deficits-in-cdd-mice Pediatric brain illustration Researchers from Ajou University School of Medicine reported the preclinical efficacy of KBN-2201 in a mouse model of late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732785 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732785-kbn-2201-reverses-key-features-of-alzheimers-in-mice Tree in the shape of human head losing leaves The NIH Accelerating Medicines Partnership Program for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has named tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS, YARS1) as a therapeutic target in AD. Functional Longevity Labs Inc. has developed FLL-001, a potential first-in-class small-molecule TyrRS modulator designed to restore TyrRS levels and rescue its triad in post-mitotic neurons for the treatment of AD. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732710 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732710-tyrrs-modulator-exerts-neuroprotection-in-ad-models Man piecing together a puzzle Researchers from the University of Strasbourg and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) have presented data on LIT-002, a nonpeptide oxytocin receptor (OXTR) agonist, for the potential treatment of autism and neuropathic pain. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732709 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732709-lit-002-is-strong-candidate-for-autism-and-neuropathic-pain Neuropathy illustrated in legs and feet Anle-138b (emrusolmin) is a diphenylpyrazole compound that directly interacts with oligomeric species of disease-related aggregating proteins, reducing aggregate formation and toxicity. It has shown benefit in preclinical models of prion disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy and Alzheimer’s disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732708 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732708-anle-138b-reduces-mhtt-aggregation-improves-pathological-phenotypes-in-huntingtons-models Dorsal striatum and its neurons in Huntington's disease Pathological tau accumulation is a key driver of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other tauopathies such as progressive supranuclear palsy. Researchers at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. presented preclinical efficacy data on ALN-5288 in tauopathy models. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732704 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732704-aln-5288-lowers-tau-levels-in-preclinical-models Rumblings that psychedelic treatments would soon be ready for prime time gained credence aplenty, and shares of Ataibeckley Inc. (NASDAQ:ATAI) ended July 16 at $7.15, up $1.79, or 33%, as Wall Street learned that Eli Lilly and Co. is taking over the psychedelics firm for $6.75 per share in cash plus up to $2.50 per share in the form of a contingent value right related to milestones for two Ataibeckley compounds. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732690 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732690-atai-dyed-lilly-tees-up-in-psychedelics-finds-38b-fit Silhouette of head and brainwith fractal art Reduced endocannabinoid signaling has been linked to neuronal hyperexcitability in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), suggesting that dual inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) may restore endocannabinoid tone and alleviate hyperexcitability-driven symptoms, including agitation, a common neuropsychiatric manifestation of AD. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732678 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732678-dual-faah-magl-inhibition-targets-alzheimers-disease-hyperexcitability Elderly hands holding broken brain structure Pyroglutamate-modified amyloid-β (pE3-Aβ) is a highly pathogenic Aβ species that accumulates within amyloid plaques and contributes to aggregation, neuroinflammation and neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Researchers from Sound Biologics (Qilu Puget Sound Biotherapeutic Corp.) described the preclinical profile of PSB-229, a novel brain-shuttled anti-pE3-Aβ antibody in models of AD. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732677 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732677-psb-229-reduces-plaque-burden-in-alzheimers-models Brush scrubbing brain figurine with soap Nuoshen Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. has disclosed new NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of neuroinflammation, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732657 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732657-nuoshen-pharmaceutical-prepares-new-nlrp3-inflammasome-inhibitors FTO is an α-ketoglutarate-dependent RNA demethylase that regulates N6-methyladenosine (m6A), one of the most abundant epitranscriptomic modifications in mammalian mRNA. Emerging evidence suggests that aberrant m6A signaling may contribute to neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Researchers at the University of Barcelona and collaborators described the discovery and preclinical characterization of a new series of FTO inhibitors designed to target neurodegenerative disease by modulating m6A RNA demethylation. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), one of the most abundant epitranscriptomic modifications in mammalian mRNA. Emerging evidence suggests that aberrant m6A signaling may contribute to neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Researchers at the University of Barcelona and collaborators described the discovery and preclinical characterization of a new series of FTO inhibitors designed to target neurodegenerative disease by modulating m6A RNA demethylation.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732649 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732649-new-fto-inhibitor-shows-neuroprotective-effects Illustration of head with maze that is missing parts At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, researchers from Voyager Therapeutics Inc. presented preclinical efficacy data for VY-1706, a blood-brain barrier-penetrant AAV9 gene therapy designed to reduce tau levels in models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732646 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732646-voyagers-gene-therapy-reduces-tau-levels-in-ad-models Illustration of human brain and dna Certain cancers that contain organized clusters of immune cells known as tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) do not respond to treatment as well as expected. Even though they have TLS that support the elimination of cancer cells, they remain resistant to immunotherapy. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), better known as the brain’s major inhibitory neurotransmitter, may play a role in this lack of response by acting as an immunoregulatory metabolite, according to a study led by scientists at Sorbonne Université. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732642 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732642-gaba-signaling-linked-to-immune-resistance-in-some-tumors Illustration of T cells attacking cancer