Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. inked deals with Shattuck Labs Inc. and Numab Therapeutics AG aimed at bolstering its pipeline in oncology and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Ono struck a drug discovery collaboration and option agreement with Shattuck Labs to generate bifunctional fusion proteins for pathways involved in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It also signed a global research, development and commercialization deal with Numab for its NM-49, a multispecific antibody designed to activate tumor-associated macrophage phagocytosis for treating cancers.
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. has submitted an IND application to the FDA for AUR-200, a potential next-generation therapy for B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Researchers from Panolos Bioscience Inc. and affiliated organizations have published preclinical data for PB-101, a novel glycosylated decoy protein targeting both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF).
At the recent ESC Congress, researchers from University of Tennessee and Attralus Inc. presented preclinical data on the novel pan-amyloid-binding peptide fusion immunoglobulin AT-02, which is being developed for the treatment of amyloidosis.
At the recent ASGCT meeting, researchers from Exegenesis Bio Inc. presented preclinical data for EXG-102-031, a novel recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-gene therapy being developed for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), also called wet AMD (wAMD).
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a pleiotropic cytokine designated as a cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor and NK cell stimulator that interconnects innate and adaptive immunity. Studies in animal models have shown antitumor effects, but its translation into the clinic has been often linked to unacceptable toxicity.
Treatment with the fusion protein QL-1005 reduced caloric intake and body weight in mice and primates. In obese animals, it also improved insulin, fasting glucose and triglyceride levels. The design belongs to the Chinese biopharmaceutical company Beijing QL Biopharmaceutical, which will begin clinical trials in a year.
After comparing the response to the two types of vaccines for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) based on its fusion protein (F), prefusion (pre-F) versus postfusion (post-F) vaccines, scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Astrazeneca plc have demonstrated that targeting the pre-F protein led to better protection. No more bets on RSV immunization based on the post-F protein of the virus. Laboratories can now bet all on red for the pre-F technology.