Researchers from Astrazeneca plc presented the structure and preclinical characterization of a novel PCSK9 inhibitor, AZD-0780, being developed for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. A new potentially druggable functional binding pocket was identified on the PCSK9 C-terminal domain (CTD), and multiple fragment screens generated a single CTD-binding hit.
Cumulus Oncology Ltd. is in the thick of raising a $50 million series A round as its model of sourcing novel drug targets emerging from academia, shaping them up for clinical development, and spinning them into startups, gathers pace. At the same time, Nodus Oncology Ltd., the first spinout created around an acquired asset, has just reached in vivo proof of concept with its lead DNA damage response inhibitor, and it, too, is looking to raise a series A to take the program through to the end of phase I.
After sparking further interest from investors after the close of its series A, Vandria SA has extended the round and now has the means to advance its lead mitophagy inducer program as far as phase Ib/IIa development in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment.
Esculetin, also known as 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin, is a coumarin-derived phytochemical that has shown effects against ischemic stroke. Additionally, chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) has been revealed in previous findings to be a target for stroke when using coumarin-derived compounds. The effects of esculetin and the potential involvement of CKLF1 were tested in photothrombotic stroke in mice.
Piplartine, also called piperlongumine, had protective effects against hearing loss induced by aminoglycoside antibiotics in zebrafish and mouse models of kanamycin-induced hair cell loss. Kanamycin is a member of the aminoglycosides, a group of antibiotics that have broad-spectrum activity against gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug resistant strains.
Halda Therapeutics Inc. announced it has secured an additional $126 million in funding in a series B extension, bringing its total funding to date to $202 million. The company expects its lead molecule HLD-0915 to enter a phase I trial in the first half of 2025 for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Researchers from Alzecure Pharma AB presented preclinical data for ACD-137, a negative allosteric modulator (NAM) of tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), being developed for the treatment of pain.
Researchers from Contineum Therapeutics Inc. have presented preclinical data for the novel brain penetrant lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1) antagonist, PIPE-791, being evaluated in models of neuropathic pain.
Researchers from Indiana University have presented data from a study that aimed to assess the potential of suppressing GABA metabolism through inhibition of its degradation enzyme, GABA aminotransferase (GABA-AT), as novel analgesic strategy. The effect of next-generation GABA-AT inhibitor OV-329 was assessed in C57BL/6J mice that were intraperitoneally injected with paclitaxel to generate neuropathic nociception. Treatment with OV-329 attenuated the development and maintenance of paclitaxel-induced mechanical hypersensitivity.