Scientists at Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats and Universitat de Barcelona have identified three-prime repair exonuclease 2 (TREX2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and ichthyosis.
Enanta Pharmaceuticals Inc. has announced the expansion of its immunology portfolio with the nomination of a new development candidate and the introduction of a new discovery program.
Secretome Therapeutics Inc. has closed a $20.4 million round of financing to support its development of therapies derived from neonatal cardiac progenitor cells.
Blood dendritic cell antigen 2 (BDCA2) is expressed in plasmacytoid dendritic cells. These cells’ overproduction of type I interferon is closely linked to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases.
Protagonist Therapeutics Inc. has selected PN-881, an oral peptide interleukin-17 (IL-17) antagonist, as a development candidate for the treatment of immune-mediated skin diseases.
The U.S. FDA added hidradenitis suppurativa to the label for UCB SA’s Bimzelx (bimekizumab-bkzx), throwing renewed light on the indication, a chronic disease that causes painful, boil-like lumps that appear under the skin. Regulators cleared the humanized IL-17A and IL-17F antagonist for adults with moderate to severe HS, marking the drug’s fifth approval.
Incyte Corp.’s mention of would-be “backup molecules” could bode well for findings yet to roll out with Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 antagonist INCB-000262 in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Meanwhile, though, the news is not good, as Incyte said in a terse press release that it will pause enrollment in the ongoing phase II study with the drug because of in vivo preclinical toxicology findings.
IL-23 receptor antagonist icotrokinra hit co-primary phase III endpoints in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, positioning the oral peptide at the forefront of a multibillion-dollar franchise for partners Protagonist Therapeutics Inc. and Johnson and Johnson.
Biosion Inc. is getting more than $40 million in cash up front from Aclaris Therapeutics Inc. for the rights to develop two antibodies. The regulatory and sales milestones could also bring Biosion another $900 million. The two assets are BSI-045B, a high affinity and high potency anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody, and BSI-502, a bispecific antibody directed against TSLP and IL4R.
Trex Bio Inc. has closed an oversubscribed $84 million series B financing round to support development of its pipeline of novel therapies that modulate the immune system to restore human tissue immune homeostasis.