South Korean pharmaceutical firms LG Chem Ltd. and JW Pharmaceutical Corp. are recouping and pressing on with their respective novel gout drugs internationally, with each having faced regulatory setbacks from IND rejections overseas.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cytokine involved in the regulation of inflammation in several autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, or psoriasis. Anti-TNF biological treatments in place are effective but there is a need for alternatives with novel pharmacological profiles to overcome their limitations.

With a U.S. biotech identified as One Bio, Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has inked an out-licensing deal potentially worth $1.05 billion for its asthma and chronic sinusitis-targeting drug, SHR-1905. The latest deal gives One Bio exclusive rights to develop, produce and commercialize SHR-1905 worldwide, excluding the greater China territory.

Peptidream Inc. and Modulus Discovery Inc. have nominated the first clinical development candidate arising from the companies’ strategic drug discovery partnership.

The notion of taking aim at the galectin pathway across varied therapeutic areas has gained major traction in recent years, with a handful of companies drawing Wall Street’s interest as efforts plow forth in conditions as varied as cancer, liver fibrosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers from OSE Immunotherapeutics SA have published preclinical data for the novel anti-ChemR23 monoclonal antibody (MAb) (OSE-230) with anti-inflammatory properties, being evaluated for the potential treatment of cancer.

Third Harmonic Bio Inc. has announced a new product candidate, THB-335, a potent, highly selective, oral, small-molecule KIT inhibitor.