Researchers affiliated with the U.K.’s University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust filed for protection of a device for treating simple or complex anal or rectovaginal fistulas which is less invasive and more effective than existing treatments. The device combines a bioresorbable scaffold to heal the fistula and a thin comfortable seton to achieve drainage.
Based on findings from recent studies that have identified MUC5AC in mice infected with the nematode Trichuris trichiura and during colitis, researchers from Medical University of South Carolina aimed to assess the effects of Clostridioides difficile infection on MUC5AC in the intestinal mucosa.
Artus Therapeutics Inc. and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine (Instem) have synthesized aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Aqilion AB has expanded its pipeline through the nomination of protein kinase C θ (PKCθ) as the target of a new immunology project. The PKCθ kinase is believed to be centrally involved in the pathogenesis of T-cell-mediated inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
About a year ago, when Seres Therapeutics Inc. won U.S. FDA approval of oral microbiome therapy Vowst (live fecal microbiota spores), the drug – meant to prevent recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection – was hailed as first in the space, and launch plans sounded ambitious. In July 2021, Seres inked a deal with Nestlé Health Science SA, of Lutry, Switzerland, to jointly commercialize Vowst in the U.S. and potentially Canada. But shares of Cambridge, Mass.-based Seres (NASDAQ:MCRB) closed May 8 at 75 cents, down 36 cents, or 32%, after the firm provided an update on sales, roughly flat quarter over quarter.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play important roles in immune response regulation in autoimmune disease such as autoimmune hepatitis. Researchers investigated whether Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is present in marijuana, could prevent the development of autoimmune hepatitis in treated mice by altering miRNA expression.
Pfizer Inc. has divulged 17-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13; 17- β-HSD 13) inhibitors and/or degraders reported to be useful for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, biliary cirrhosis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral infections, alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, among others.
Virginia Commonwealth University has identified cholestenoic acid derivatives reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, sepsis, atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD; metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease [MASLD]).
Synedgen Inc. has completed IND-enabling studies for its lead candidate, MIIST-305, which is being developed for ulcerative colitis and as a medical countermeasure for gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome. Within a year, Synedgen plans to file an IND application for MIIST-305 and initiate a phase I study to support both programs.
Ochre Bio Ltd. has established a partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG focused on the discovery and development of novel first-in-class regenerative treatments for chronic liver diseases, such as late-stage metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) cirrhosis.