In a recent study published in PNAS, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center investigated cholesterol-mimetic compounds specifically binding and inhibiting Scap. Their final goal was to understand cholesterol regulation by the Scap/SREBP system and identify potential therapeutics for dysregulated lipid metabolism.
Everzom SAS, a CNRS/Université Paris Cité spin-off, has signed a second exclusive license agreement with Erganeo SAS for the development of Evergel, an exosome drug candidate for fistulas and fibrosis of the digestive tract.
Akero Therapeutics Inc.’s phase IIb data with FGF21 analogue efruxifermin (EFX) in patients with pre-cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) kept interest alive in the face-off between the company and 89bio Inc. with pegozafermin, another FGF21 drug targeting MASH, for which a phase III study is planned.
Researchers from University of Padova have presented data from a study that aimed to investigate the role of microRNAs (miRs) in the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-related colorectal cancer (CRC).
Neurenati Therapeutics has closed its seed funding round, securing CA$1.2 million (US$884,000) to advance development of therapies for various rare diseases, including pediatric conditions.
Positive phase III data from Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc. with once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-2 analogue apraglutide failed to impress Wall Street, and shares of the Boston-based firm (NASDAQ:IRWD) closed Feb. 29 at $9.43, down $5.69, or 37.6%. The experiment called Stars tested apraglutide to reduce parenteral support in adults with short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure. Rare and severe, the condition affects about 18,000 adults in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Based on the latest data, Ironwood plans to submit an NDA to the U.S. FDA and other regulatory filings.
Heptares Therapeutics Ltd. has divulged pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide derivatives and morpholine-3-carboxamide derivatives acting as prostaglandin E2 receptor EP4 subtype (PTGER4; EP4) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University and The Lieber Institute for Brain Development have identified peripherally restricted GABA(A) receptor subunits α3β2γ2S (GABRA3) positive allosteric modulators reported to be useful for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, lactose intolerance and abdominal pain.
Researchers from Nanjing Medical University presented data from a study that aimed to investigate the role of amphiregulin (AREG) in activating intestinal fibroblasts and driving fibrogenesis.