In autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the function of regulatory CD8 T cells (CD8 Treg) is compromised, in part due to the expression of inhibitory KIR receptors (KIR2DL1/2/3) and insufficient inducible T-cell co-stimulator (ICOS) signaling. Mozart Therapeutics Inc. has discovered MTX-201, a new bispecific antibody targeting inhibitory KIR and ICOS that are co-expressed by CD8 Tregs.
Stimulating the body’s immune defenses against a tumor can reduce or eliminate it. However, in cancer immunotherapy, when immune checkpoint inhibitors unleash the immune system, severe autoimmunity can result. A hematological technique, extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), could offer a solution. It reduces the therapy-induced inflammation without altering antitumor immunity. According to scientists at the Universities of Basel and Freiburg, the key lies in adiponectin, a hormone produced by fatty tissue.
Neumora Therapeutics Inc. has patented NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulators reported to be useful for the treatment of autoimmune disease, infections, neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Ensoma Inc.’s lead program, EN-374, has been granted orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations by the FDA for the treatment of X-linked chronic granulomatous disease. Ensoma anticipates filing an IND application for EN-374 in the first half of this year.
Lycia Therapeutics Inc. has reported progress in its immunology pipeline that comprises lysosomal targeting chimera (LYTAC)-based protein degradation therapies. The company is advancing its two lead programs toward the clinic: LCA-0061, a Catalytac degrader that catalytically degrades IgE, and LCA-0321, a Lytac degrader designed to specifically bind and rapidly deplete anti-thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) autoantibodies.
Researchers in from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital have presented data from a study that investigated the role of immunoglobulin superfamily member 6 (IGSF6) microglia during ischemic stroke.
CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. has gained clinical trial clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for SYS-6017, an mRNA vaccine to prevent herpes zoster infections.
Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology have described the potential use of RBM47 as a therapeutic target for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, an autoimmune disorder characterized by proptosis, lid swelling, diplopia and compressive optic neuropathy.
In a deal that Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Eric Schmidt characterized as “capital recycling at its best,” Alumis Inc. and Acelyrin Inc. are merging in an all-stock transaction. The combined pipelines include Alumis’ most advanced prospect, ESK-001, an oral, next-generation, allosteric inhibitor of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2). ESK-001 is undergoing the phase III Onward study for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis as well as the phase II Lumus bid in systemic lupus erythematosus.
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