The U.S. FDA has accepted the NDA for an oral formulation of Novo Nordisk A/S’s Wegovy (semaglutide) in treating obesity. If approved, the daily pill will be the first oral GLP-1 for treating chronic weight management. So far, however, it has been injectables leading the way to approval.
Mammoth Biosciences Inc. has nominated its first clinical development candidate – MB-111 – a potential one-time treatment for patients with very high triglycerides, including familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) and severe hypertriglyceridemia. IND-enabling studies are on track to begin this year.
Adult skeletal muscle tolerates a lack of the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), according to a study led by scientists at the University of Copenhagen. Their results suggest that adverse effects previously associated with congenital NAD depletion in this tissue may be due to impaired muscle development rather than to a deficiency of this molecule.
Regulus Therapeutics Inc. CEO Jay Hagan told investors in a January call the company had no interest in “simply out-licensing” rights to lead candidate farabursen, an oligonucleotide targeting autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease set to start phase III testing on a path to a potential accelerated approval. And now, there’s no need to, as Regulus found a buyer for the whole company in a deal with Novartis AG valued at about $1.7 billion.
Tightening of U.S. regulation and capital is leading Chinese biotechs to alternative and new models of financing, ranging from cross-border licensing deals, M&As, the so-called newco model and overseas listings.
Innorna Co. Ltd.’s investigational mRNA therapy, IN-013, has been awarded orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations by the FDA for the treatment of Wilson disease.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing global health concern, with an estimated prevalence of around 25% worldwide. This chronic liver condition is characterized by lipid deposition in the liver, which can lead to inflammation, scarring and even liver cancer if left untreated.
A metabolic vulnerability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) could be used to address this type of cancer that often resists treatments. Scientists at the University of Michigan have discovered that inhibiting the PIKfyve enzyme prevented tumor development and reduced tumor growth by altering the lipid synthesis these cells rely on. The KRAS-MAPK pathway is involved in this process, leading the researchers to suggest that dual inhibitors of PIKfyve and KRAS-MAPK could be an effective therapeutic strategy.
Tightening of U.S. regulation and capital is leading Chinese biotechs to alternative and new models of financing, ranging from cross-border licensing deals, M&As, the so-called newco model and overseas listings.
RSS
