Korea Institute of Science and Technology has described nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2; NRF2) activators acting as nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitors and antioxidants reported to be useful for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney fibrosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

NZP UK Ltd. has divulged 3-azasteroid compounds reported to be useful for the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, acute radiation syndrome and neurodegenerative disorders.

Innovstone Therapeutics Ltd. has synthesized aromatic heterocyclic compounds acting as leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2; Dardarin) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Vandria SA has announced a series A financing round raising $20.6 million (CHF18 million) to help advance its pipeline of first-in-class small-molecule mitophagy inducers.

Pathogenic variants in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are linked to increased risk for Parkinson’s disease (PD), with G2019S being the principal variant. In the current study, researchers from Escape Bio Inc. presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of novel inhibitors of G2019S mutant-LRRK2 as potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of PD.

Merck & Co. Inc. continued to broaden its reach in neurodegenerative diseases by paying, through a subsidiary, as much as $610 million to take over preclinical-stage Caraway Therapeutics Inc. The deal involves an undisclosed up-front payment along with contingent milestone rewards.