Previous research found that transplanting human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (hiPSC-NS/PCs) promoted motor functional recovery in animal models of spinal cord injury (SCI). hiPSC-NS/PC transplantation has been recently evaluated for subacute SCI in a first clinical trial. However, animal studies revealed that the effectiveness of NS/PC transplantation varies depending on the state of the injured spinal microenvironment, with reduced therapeutic effects in severe models. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent growth factor that promotes tissue regeneration through the MET receptor and constitutes an interesting candidate to enhance the efficacy of NS/PC transplantation.
Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) is a pseudo tyrosine kinase overexpressed in many cancer types such as ovarian, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), non-small-cell lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer and bladder cancer, but limited expression in normal tissues.
Researchers from the University of Michigan and affiliated organizations presented data from a study that identified a link between a new neurodevelopmental disorder and biallelic variants in the EPB41L3 gene, which encodes band 4.1-like protein 3 that plays important roles in neuronal development, myelination and cytoskeletal organization.
Sirius Therapeutics Inc. has submitted an application in Australia to begin a first-in-human trial of SRSD-107 for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders.
Researchers from Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co. Ltd. and Doma Biopharmaceutical (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. reported the discovery and preclinical data of DM-005, a novel fully human EGFR × MET bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) being developed for the treatment of cancer.
Pasithea Therapeutics Corp. has selected a lead therapeutic candidate for its PAS-003 program, a proprietary humanized monoclonal antibody that targets α5β1 integrin, a protein overexpressed in both humans and mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Sosei Group Corp. and Kallyope Inc. have announced the successful identification, validation and nomination of a first G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) target to enter a therapeutic discovery program for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The nominated target will advance into a structure-based drug discovery program.
Traditionally developed antibiotics generally act inhibiting essential bacterial enzymes. However, new strategies are urgently needed to discover novel antibiotics against bacterial infections, such as Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. The chaperone high-temperature protein G (HtpG) is a nonessential bacterial protein containing a desirable druggable domain.
A team of scientists at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School has discovered the putative cancer target UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase 1 (UXS1) in cancer cells expressing high levels of UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase (UGDH). UXS1 is a Golgi enzyme that appears downstream of UGDH and converts UDP-glucuronate (UDPGA) to UDP-xylose. The study also showed that UXS1 not only cleared away UDPGA but also limited its production through negative feedback on UGDH. They published their results on Oct. 25, 2023, in the online edition of Nature.
Debiopharm Research & Manufacturing SA has disclosed new antibody-drug conjugates consisting of monoclonal antibodies targeting CD37 covalently linked to a cytotoxic agent through a linker.