Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Astrazeneca, Biocity, Gigagen, Gritstone, Hitgen, Merck, Quris-AI, Scynexis.
TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) serves prominent innate immune functions via complex interactions with adaptor proteins to affect phosphorylation of NF-κB (NF-κB). TBK1 is at the nexus of multiple pathways connecting interferon pathway activation and this is ultimately beneficial or hyperinflammatory-pathological in the context of viral infections.
Westvac Biopharma Co. Ltd. has described keto amide derivatives acting as 3C-like proteinase (3CLpro; Mpro; nsp5) (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 virus) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19).
Researchers at Ningbo Combireg Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. and Versitech Ltd. have described benzothiazole compounds reported to be useful for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19).
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: 60 Degrees, AB Science, Astex, Atamyo, Beigene, Biophytis, Gilead, GSK, Intelgenx, Merck & Co., Otsuka, Pfizer, Rhythm, Viiv.
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Almirall, Argenx, Ascendis, Astrazeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Hemogenyx, Iovance, Merck, Moderna, PTC, UCB, Vertex.
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Anavex, Asieris, Biohaven, Coeptis, Edgewise, Scilex, Vincerx.
Novel effective antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 are needed because of the emergence of novel variants and the potential risk of SARS-CoV-2/MERS-CoV recombination. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is a promising antiviral target. Mpro presents a His41-Cys145 catalytic dyad in the central part of its active site, which confers a natural advantage for developing covalent drugs.