Nonreceptor tyrosine-protein kinase TYK2 plays key roles in the signaling of pro-inflammatory molecules such as IL-23, IL-12 or type I IFN, which at the same time play key roles in several immune-mediated diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, among others.
Scirhom GmbH has submitted a clinical trial application (CTA) for its lead candidate, SR-878, an antibody designed to target inactive rhomboid protein 2 (iRhom2) as a therapeutic strategy for numerous autoimmune disorders.
There is increasing evidence on the involvement of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). At the recent American College of Rheumatology meeting, researchers from Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. presented preclinical data on DS-7011a, a TLR7 antagonist antibody with for the potential treatment of SLE.
The blowup in phase II with Aclaris Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s oral MK2 inhibitor zunsemetinib (ATI-450) for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sent shares (NASDAQ:ACRS) into a tailspin and sparked Wall Street speculation about the firm’s other mid-stage prospect. Wayne, Pa.-based Aclaris’ stock ended Nov. 13 at 64 cents, down $4.11, or 86%, after investors learned that ATI-450 missed the study’s primary and secondary endpoints. Development of the candidate, which was also under phase IIa investigation in psoriatic arthritis, will be stopped.
Nearly a year and a half after an interim analysis cast doubt on the future of Atara Biotherapeutics Inc.’s phase II study of ATA-188 in treating non-active progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS), the newly released primary analysis didn’t change much.
Top-line results from Moonlake Immunotherapeutics AG’s phase II study of sonelokimab treating active psoriatic arthritis encouraged the company but discouraged investors.
Scientists at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) have designed a group of synthetic molecules that could prevent the rejection of allogeneic cell transplants. Their strategy consisted of activating the immune checkpoints of different populations of immune cells from the cell surface, but avoiding the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages that would destroy the transplanted cells.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is set to conduct a phase I trial with Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.’s TNX-1800 (recombinant horsepox virus, live vaccine), a vaccine candidate to protect against COVID-19.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the University of Oxford have launched a new project to initiate early development of prototype vaccines against the Junín virus, selected as an exemplar of the Arenavirus family which is responsible for multiple deadly hemorrhagic fevers with epidemic and pandemic potential.