Mapping GLP-1RA effects turns up benefits, risks, ‘master lessons in biology’
The largest analysis to date of patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) has investigated their effects on nearly 175 diseases, and found that compared to three other classes of diabetes medications, individuals with a prescription for GLP-1RAs had a reduced risk of 42 diseases, and an increased risk of 19. The findings, which were published Jan. 20, 2025, in Nature Medicine, provide a comprehensive overview of GLP-1RAs’ effects.

Mapping GLP-1RA effects turns up benefits, risks, ‘master lessons in biology’
The largest analysis to date of patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) has investigated their effects on nearly 175 diseases, and found that compared to three other classes of diabetes medications, individuals with a prescription for GLP-1RAs had a reduced risk of 42 diseases, and an increased risk of 19. The findings, which were published Jan. 20, 2025, in Nature Medicine, provide a comprehensive overview of GLP-1RAs’ effects.
[177Lu]DOTA-2P(FAPI)2 transforms the TME, increases sensitivity to PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy
[68Ga]/[177Lu]DOTA-2P(FAPI)2 is a novel dimeric FAP-targeting radiopharmaceutical that has demonstrated increased tumor uptake and prolonged retention in different types of cancer models.
NIH grant supports evaluation of ghrelin for radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome
The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research has been awarded a 5-year, $2.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate the potential of human ghrelin as a medical countermeasure against radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome.
HDAC6 degrader protects from acute liver injury
In the preclinical setting, inhibitors of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) have proven effective at reducing liver inflammation through modulation of the immune response.
Valo Health patents new PARP-1 inhibitors
Valo Health Inc. has disclosed poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1; ARTD1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Antigen-agnostic screening unveils new protective antibodies targeting a hidden malaria epitope
Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, causing over 600,000 deaths annually despite existing prevention and treatment measures. Current vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Plasmodium falciparum, such as RTS,S/AS01 and R21, primarily target the central repeat region of the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) but have shown limited efficacy in completely preventing infection.
Dual adenosine receptor agonist reduces brain damage in ischemic stroke model
A recent study by researchers at the University of Florence and collaborators has demonstrated the efficacy of MRS-3997, a dual adenosine A2A/A2B receptor agonist, in reducing brain damage and inflammation in a rat model of ischemic stroke.

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Conferences

Small activating RNA therapy exhibits efficacy in sickle cell disease context
American Society of Hematology
Beta-hemoglobinopathies are genetic blood disorders caused by mutations that impact the normal production or structure of hemoglobin.
By targeting HPA-1a, RLYB-212 prevents rare fetal blood disorder
American Society of Hematology
Fetal/neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a bleeding disorder caused by maternal alloantibodies against fetal platelets during pregnancy.
CCRL2 is therapeutic target in acute erythroid leukemia
American Society of Hematology
C-C chemokine receptor-like 2 (CCRL2) is a chemokine receptor involved in inflammation activation and is usually expressed in differentiated myeloid cells. CCRL2 is overexpressed in acute erythroid leukemia (AEL) cells compared to healthy cells. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) against CCRL2 in AEL...
Seismic’s S-1117 reduces IgG levels in autoantibody-driven disorders
American Society of Hematology
The effects of S-1117 regarding IgG cleavage and degradation were tested in vitro.

Cancer

New granzyme B-based immunotoxin targeting breast cancer, including TNBC
Immuno-oncology
Researchers have developed an innovative immunotoxin (a fusion protein called GrB-Fc-KS49) designed to target epithelial membrane protein-2 (EMP2), a biomarker overexpressed in more than 75% of breast cancer cases, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Infection

Immuron and Monash University collaborate to target antimicrobial resistance
Collaboration
Immuron Ltd. has signed a new research collaboration agreement with Monash University to develop new therapeutic drug candidates targeting antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. This work will utilize the Immuron technology platform, and the experience of the Biomedicine Discovery Institute research team.

Discovery of covalent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro
Coronavirus
Investigators at The Scripps Research Institute and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have designed novel covalent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) and assessed their drug properties in preclinical models.
CARB-X grant supports Justus Liebig University Giessen to develop BamA inhibitors for gram-negative pathogens
Financings
Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) will award a seed grant of $610,000 to Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) to support the definition of a lead optimization path for the development of a direct-acting peptide therapeutic based on a natural-product...

Neurology/psychiatric

Huntington’s neurodegeneration starts at 150 repeat expansions
Genetic/congenital
Having 35 copies of the CAG triplet in the gene that causes Huntington’s disease is not a problem. Inheriting 40 could be a sign that goes unnoticed for decades, until reaching 80. From there, the process accelerates and neural death occurs when reaching 150 repeats. Huntington’s disease...
New findings tie TLX3 to autism spectrum disorder
Biomarkers
T-cell leukemia homeobox protein 3 (TLX3) is a key regulator of fate specification of excitatory neurons and found expressed in proliferating granule neuron progenitors (GNPs) of the cerebellum, but its main role is not well known.
Kyorin signs option agreement for Biodol’s BDT-272 for pain
Deals and M&A
Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has entered into an option agreement with Biodol Therapeutics SAS.
Pheno gets clinical trial clearance for remyelination therapeutic
Regulatory
Pheno Therapeutics Ltd. has received clinical trial authorization (CTA) from the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for its lead candidate, PTD-802. The program will progress to a first-in-human phase I trial.
Humanwell Healthcare identifies new angiotensin AT2 receptor antagonists
Patents
Humanwell Healthcare (Group) Co. Ltd. has developed new heterocyclic compounds acting as angiotensin AT2 receptor antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of neuropathy and neuropathic pain.

Endocrine/metabolic

Commission proposes ‘radical overhaul’ of obesity definition, diagnosis
Obesity
A global commission has proposed a fundamental change to the way obesity is defined and diagnosed. If the change is implemented, obesity would be considered a health risk in some contexts, and a disease in others. “The commission is reframing obesity... in a way that allows for the nuanced reality...

Biomarkers

Circulating splicing factor SRRM1: a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in prostate cancer
Cancer
Prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) is commonly used as a screening tool for prostate cancer but presents limited sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, research efforts are focused on searching for novel noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers.

miR-1-3p levels predict case severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients
Infection
Increasing evidence shows that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate biological processes involved in COVID-19 complications.
Biomarker could aid in psychosis diagnosis
Science
Researchers at the University of Rochester have described a neuroimaging-based biomarker that could identify individuals with early psychosis, and improved their identification when it was added to a standard neurocognitive diagnostic test. In a group of roughly 160 participants in the Human...

Gastrointestinal

Interline Therapeutics divulges new RIPK2 inhibitors for IBD
Patents
Interline Therapeutics Inc. has synthesized receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIPK2; RIP-2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Flagship Pioneering Innovations VI divulges new CD38 inhibitors
Patents
Flagship Pioneering Innovations VI LLC has synthesized ADP-ribosyl cyclase/cyclic ADP-ribose hydrolase 1 (CD38) inhibitors.
Qu Biologics’ Qbeco SSI improves fatty liver disease in mouse model of obesity
Endocrine/metabolic
Qu Biologics Inc. has reported data showing that its Qbeco site specific immunomodulator (SSI) improved fatty liver disease.
KHK inhibitors disclosed in Centennial Therapeutics patent
Patents
Centennial Therapeutics LLC has divulged ketohexokinase (KHK) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of nonalcoholic or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (NASH/MASH).
NIDDK grant supports Orphagen’s RARα antagonist for inflammatory bowel disease
Grant
Orphagen Pharmaceuticals Inc. has been granted an award of up to $1.7 million.
Amgen discloses 15-PGDH inhibitors
Patents
Amgen Inc. has reported new 5,6- and 6,6-fused bicyclic alcohols and ethers acting as 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) inhibitors. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

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