Newco news: Arialys has autoimmune solution to psychosis problem
Arialys Therapeutics Inc. launched this month with $58 million in seed funding, an experimental compound it is developing for autoimmune encephalitis and autoimmune psychosis, and high aspirations for its field. “Yes, I want to treat these patients, I want these patients to have a better life. But I also want drug discovery and development folks to think differently about discovering new drugs for the CNS,” Jay Lichter told BioWorld.

Newco news: Arialys has autoimmune solution to psychosis problem
Arialys Therapeutics Inc. launched this month with $58 million in seed funding, an experimental compound it is developing for autoimmune encephalitis and autoimmune psychosis, and high aspirations for its field. “Yes, I want to treat these patients, I want these patients to have a better life. But I also want drug discovery and development folks to think differently about discovering new drugs for the CNS,” Jay Lichter told BioWorld.
SHP2 inhibition may help treat severe granulomatous disease
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder characterized by the formation of granulomatous inflammatory nodules mainly located in the lungs, lymphatic system, skin and eyes. In patients with pulmonary involvement, targeting IFN-γ has proven ineffective. Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and collaborators reported on the use of nonreceptor tyrosine phosphatase Src homolog-2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2) inhibition as a potential strategy to treat sarcoidosis-like diseases.
Novel pleuromutilin analog shows potent antibacterial activity against MRSA
Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) causes difficult-to-treat infections due to its inherent resistance. Thus finding new strategies to overcome MRSA resistance is critical. Researchers from China Agricultural University reported on the discovery and optimization of a novel series of pleuromutilin derivatives containing benzoxazole-2-thiol.
An2 Therapeutics receives Gates Foundation grant to discover boron-based therapies for malaria and TB
An2 Therapeutics Inc. has received a research grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to discover novel, boron-containing small molecules for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.
Synnovation Therapeutics patents new PI3Kα inhibitors
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase α (PI3Kα) inhibitors have been reported in a Synnovation Therapeutics Inc. patent as useful for the treatment of cancer, PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum, congenital lipomatous overgrowth, vascular malformations, epidermal naevi and skeletal abnormalities.
FD-1024, a potent PIM kinase inhibitor with promising antitumor efficacy and safety in models of AML
Researchers from Fudan University and affiliated organizations presented the discovery of novel PIM kinase inhibitors for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A literature-aided molecular hybridization strategy was applied to synthesize a structurally novel compound, based on an N-pyridinyl amide scaffold. Subsequent optimization showed that the positional isomerization of pyridine N toward to Lys67 resulted in a decrease of potency while increased freedom of solvent fragment toward Asp128/Glu171 led to an increase in activity.
RIKEN prepares and tests new DHODH inhibitors
Research at RIKEN has led to the identification of furanocoumarin derivatives acting as dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer and viral infections.

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Conferences

Novel radiohybrid-based minigastrin analogues with reduced accumulation in the kidneys
New compound
Researchers from Technische Universität München and Universitätsklinikum Augsburg recently presented the discovery of novel radiohybrid-based minigastrin analogues.
Novel FAP-targeting radioligand for tumor imaging presented 
New compound
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a protease expressed across several cancer types, is associated with disease severity and poor prognosis.
[177Lu]BQ-7876, a novel PSMA-targeting agent for the treatment of prostate cancer
New compound
Researchers from Uppsala University and Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) have detailed the discovery and preclinical evaluation of [177Lu]BQ-7876, a novel prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting therapeutic for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Discovery of novel radiotheragnostic agents with improved tumor-to-background ratios
New compound
Researchers from University Hospital Basel and Universitätsklinikum Ulm presented the discovery of novel radiotheragnostic candidates targeting C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), which is highly expressed in various cancers and has been linked to poor prognosis.

Cancer

Glycotope and Max Delbrück Center collaborate to explore combined use of Glycotargets and CAR technology
CAR T
Glycotope GmbH and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association have signed an agreement to explore the potential of combining Glycotope’s antibodies against protein/carbohydrate combined glyco-epitopes (Glycotargets) with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology...

Infection

Targeting TBK1 and IKKε with synthetic flavonoid reduces COVID-19-like immunopathology in a mouse model
Coronavirus
TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) serves prominent innate immune functions via complex interactions with adaptor proteins to affect phosphorylation of NF-κB (NF-κB). TBK1 is at the nexus of multiple pathways connecting interferon pathway activation and this is ultimately beneficial or...

Via Nova Therapeutics receives FDA clearance of IND for influenza A nucleoprotein inhibitor
Regulatory
Via Nova Therapeutics Inc. has received clearance of its IND application from the FDA for its influenza A nucleoprotein inhibitor, VNT-101. The novel investigational small molecule is directed against a novel target, the influenza A nucleoprotein, and is being developed for treatment of seasonal...
Versitech and Ningbo Combireg Pharmaceutical patent benzothiazole compounds to treat SARS-CoV-2
Coronavirus
Researchers at Ningbo Combireg Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. and Versitech Ltd. have described benzothiazole compounds reported to be useful for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19).

Neurology/Psychiatric

Acurastem and Takeda sign license agreement for Acurastem’s PIKFYVE-targeted therapeutics
License
Acurastem Inc. has entered into a license agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. to develop and commercialize Acurastem’s PIKFYVE-targeted therapeutics, including AS-202, an innovative antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Brain path could relieve pain as an alternative to opioids without producing dependence
Scientists at the University of Chicago have discovered a signaling pathway guided by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that could relieve pain even when tolerance to opioids was present. This mechanism did not produce dependence after treatment and could be explored to develop new drugs.
Addex consortium awarded grant to advance mGlu2 NAMs for mild neurocognitive disorder
Grant
A consortium led by Addex Therapeutics Ltd. has been awarded a €4 million (US$4.3 million) Eurostars grant to support its metabotropic glutamate mGlu2 receptor negative allosteric modulator (NAM) program for mild neurocognitive disorder.
Orionis Biosciences collaborates with Genentech to discover molecular glues
Drug design, drug delivery and technologies
Orionis Biosciences BV has established a multiyear collaboration with Genentech Inc., a member of the Roche Group, to discover novel small-molecule molecular glues for targets in major disease areas, including oncology and neurodegeneration.
Biohaven Therapeutics discovers new KCNQ2/3 activators
Patents
Biohaven Therapeutics Ltd. has described potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily KQT member 2/3 (KCNQ2/3) activators reported to be useful for the treatment of epilepsy, pain, dyskinesia, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, stroke, Rett syndrome, substance abuse and dependence, among others.

Endocrine/Metabolic

Novo Nordisk and Valo Health collaborate on drug discovery and development in cardiometabolic diseases
Collaboration
Novo Nordisk A/S and Valo Health Inc. have entered into an agreement to discover and develop novel treatments for cardiometabolic diseases. The collaboration will leverage Valo’s Opal Computational Platform, including access to real-world patient data, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled...

Biomarkers

Biomarker brainteaser: Aging? Or just changing?
Conferences
“Change is the only constant” is an ageless truth. In the search for age-related biomarkers, it is also a prosaic confounding factor. Age-related biomarkers will be critical for the development of antiaging therapeutics. “Nobody is planning to do a life span study in humans,” Eric Verdin told the...

Biomarker discovery for patients with treatment-resistant ovarian cancer
Cancer
Despite continual investment in research focused on high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the 5-year survival rate of ∼30% for most patients has remained unchanged for decades. While ≤20% of HGSOC patients present with treatment-refractory disease, therapeutic strategies have not changed...
PARP inhibitors demonstrate efficacy in SF3B1 mutant cancer models
Cancer
To identify candidate therapeutic targets for cancers with SF3B1 hotspot mutations, drug-sensitivity screening of an in-house library of 80 small-molecule inhibitors resulted in the identification of a series of candidate SF3B1 mutant (SF3B1[MUT]) synthetic lethal drugs that led to significant...

Gastrointestinal

Genflow receives recommendation from Belgium’s FAHMP regarding trials with GF-1002 in NASH
Regulatory
Genflow Biosciences plc has received correspondence from Belgium’s Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAHMP) with a recommendation to initiate a phase I/II trial of GF-1002 in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH),...
Hepagene’s THR-β agonist HPG-7233 cleared to enter clinic for NASH and dyslipidemia
Regulatory
Hepagene Therapeutics Inc. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for HPG-7233 for the treatment of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and dyslipidemia.
Therapyx’s Fapxil awarded US orphan drug designation for familial adenomatous polyposis
Regulatory
Therapyx Inc.’s Fapxil has been awarded orphan drug designation by the FDA for the treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
Unconventional intestinal epithelial cells are influential in inflammatory bowel disease control and prevention
In the gastrointestinal tract, intraepithelial lymphocytes are tasked with protecting the epithelium against pathogens and participating in wound repair and correct mucosal barrier functioning. In a study published in the Sept. 15, 2023, issue of ...
Palisade Bio licenses rights to Giiant’s prodrug platform and candidates for inflammatory bowel disease
License
Palisade Bio Inc. has entered into a licensing agreement with Giiant Pharma Inc. that provides...
Nexys Therapeutics describes new AhR agonists
Patents
Nexys Therapeutics Inc. has identified aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists and their prodrugs reported to be useful for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and Huntington’s disease.

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