Family with sequence similarity 19 member A5 (FAM19A5) is a secretory protein highly expressed in the brain that regulates synapse dynamics through its interaction with leucine-rich repeat-containing 4B (LRRC4B). Noise exposure is one of the most significant causes of synapse loss between inner hair cells and auditory nerve fibers, leading to a decline in hearing sensitivity.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center presented the preclinical efficacy of KROS-401, an IL-4/IL-13 blocking peptide that effectively reprograms macrophages in glioma models.
Current decolonization methods for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) face several challenges, including resistance development or microbiome disruption. Hypharm GmbH has presented data regarding their recombinant chimeric bacteriophage endolysin HY-133 for the potential treatment of MRSA infection. HY-133 targets S. aureus and its design combines the CHAP domain from phage K with the cell wall-binding domain of lysostaphin.
Scientists from the Lebanese American University investigated the role of acetyl-CoA synthetase short chain family member 2 (ACSS2) in inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Researchers from Universidad del País Vasco and affiliated organizations presented data from a study that aimed to investigate the role of macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Researchers from Medizinische Hochschule Hannover and affiliated organizations reported data from studies aimed to identify non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) with therapeutic potential against liver fibrosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Functional screening of patient-derived primary human hepatic myofibroblasts, followed by in vivo validation in mouse models of fibrosis, were performed in search of antifibrotic miRNAs.
A panel at Biocom California’s 15th Annual Global Life Science Partnering & Investor Conference covered the emerging use of artificial intelligence (AI) to discover and develop drugs. “We’re in a very different place than we were five years ago, or even three years ago, even two years ago, from our ability to harness AI to make advances,” Marc Tessier-Lavigne, CEO of South San Francisco-based Xaira Therapeutics Inc., told the audience, adding that the development is actually accelerating.
Researchers from Sunrock Biopharma SL presented preclinical data on SRB-1, a CCR9-depleting antibody aimed to restore immune homeostasis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers from Captor Therapeutics Inc. presented the preclinical characterization of CT-01, a first-in-class GSPT-1 targeted degrader under investigation for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
The most common form of hereditary deafness in humans is caused by mutations in the GJB2 gene, which encodes the gap junction protein connexin 26. That regulates the transport of potassium and metabolites between inner ear cells. The coding sequence of this gene fits in an adenovirus-associated vector (AAV), making it an attractive approach for gene therapy.