A common molecular pathway associated with lung fibrosis may also hold the key to pulmonary vascular repair. A group of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) found that when a viral infection damaged these vessels, the injury could be restored by activating the transforming growth factor-β receptor 2 (TGF-βR2) in endothelial cells, which led to cell proliferation.
Exxel Pharma Inc. is advancing EX-937 for patients suffering from refractory chronic cough. EX-937 works by specifically inhibiting the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme, thereby increasing the levels of anandamide, a naturally occurring signaling molecule.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CF Foundation) has agreed to provide Prime Medicine Inc. with up to $15 million to support the development of prime editors for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF).
Researchers from Nextcure Inc. have reported the development and preclinical characterization of a novel agonist monoclonal antibody (MAb) against V-set and transmembrane domain containing 1 (VSTM-1).
Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA has divulged TGF-β receptor type-1 (TGFBR1; ALK5; SKR4; TβR-I) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), characterized by vasoconstriction and pulmonary vascular remodeling, has a 10% annual mortality rate among patients due to right heart failure. There are genetic variants known to impact the risk of PAH, but susceptibility from epigenetic changes is poorly understood.
Humanwell Healthcare (Group) Co. Ltd. has disclosed compounds acting as phosphodiesterase PDE4 inhibitors, particularly PDE4B, reported to be useful for the treatment of respiratory, gastrointestinal, inflammatory, dermatological, ophthalmic and neurological disorders, transplant rejection and cancer.
Kymera Therapeutics Inc. has unveiled two new first-in-class oral degrader programs for immune-mediated diseases: KT-621, a STAT6 degrader, and KT-294, a TYK2 degrader.