A recent paper has identified the enhancer ETS2, located in a so-called gene desert, as a contributor to five separate immune disorders. It also showed that one of ETS2’s target genes mediating this inflammation was the eminently druggable MEK, a kinase that is the target of the FDA-approved inhibitors Mekinist (trametinib, GSK plc), Mektovi (binimetinib, Array Biopharma Inc.), Cotellic (cobimetinib, Roche Holding AG) and Koselugo (selumetinib, Astrazeneca plc/Merck & Co. Inc.).
France’s Théa Open Innovation, a subsidiary of Laboratoires Théa SAS, terminated its licensing agreement with South Korea’s Olix Pharmaceuticals Inc., and returned global rights of Olix’s ocular small interfering RNA (siRNA) biologic agents, OLX-301D and OLX-301A.
New research has pinpointed gene signatures that determine what immune responses will be activated in the development of sepsis, pointing to novel targets and opening the way for the stratification of clinical trials and for patients to be treated on the basis of their immune response, rather than their symptoms.
Aprilbio Co. Ltd. saw its stock surge 30% June 20 after announcing a potential $475 million (₩655.88 billion) deal with Evommune Inc. for autoimmune disease drug candidate APB-R3.
Alivexis Inc. and Melodia Therapeutics AG have entered into an exclusive license agreement for the worldwide development, manufacturing and commercialization of Alivexis’ MDI-0151, a novel cathepsin C inhibitor identified in Alivexis’ MOD-A discovery program.
Ose Immunotherapeutics SA has presented preclinical data on its mRNA therapeutic platform for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. The platform has been designed for the local delivery of mRNA into inflammatory tissue using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Interleukin-35 (IL-35) has been shown in preclinical studies to have a key role in controlling several immune-related disorders, including autoimmune diseases.
New research has pinpointed gene signatures that determine what immune responses will be activated in the development of sepsis, pointing to novel targets and opening the way for the stratification of clinical trials and for patients to be treated on the basis of their immune response, rather than their symptoms.
Odyssey Therapeutics Inc. has described receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIPK2; RIP-2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, chronic granulomatous disease, neurodegeneration, inflammatory disorders and cancer.
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation, vasculopathy and fibrosis, mainly affecting internal organs and the skin. There is still a lack of therapies for SSc-induced skin fibrosis.
Optimism on Wall Street proved wise and shares of Mirum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:MIRM) rose accordingly to close June 17 at $33, up $7.08, or 27.3%, as the firm disclosed interim results from two phase IIb studies evaluating volixibat, an oral ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitor, in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The drug proved its mettle in both liver biliary tract-stenosing indications, with no new safety signals turning up, Foster City, Calif.-based Mirum said.