Signal rewiring turns ovarian cancer against itself
Harnessing an oncolytic signal and redirecting it against the tumor itself could be developed as a selective strategy for certain cancer types, as occurs with ErbB hyperactivity, a form of signaling that drives many carcinomas. Inspired by this idea, scientists at Stanford University have engineered a virus that replicates only in ErbB-hyperactive ovarian cancer cells. This allowed them to precisely kill this specific tumor population, achieving greater efficacy and safety than previous oncolytic viruses.

CGT-1145 shows disease-modifying potential in JAK2 V617F models
At the recently concluded congress of the European Hematology Association, researchers at Cogent Biosciences Inc. presented preclinical data on CGT-1145, a JAK2 V617F-mutant-selective inhibitor designed to preferentially target the mutant kinase while sparing wild-type JAK2.

Signal rewiring turns ovarian cancer against itself
Harnessing an oncolytic signal and redirecting it against the tumor itself could be developed as a selective strategy for certain cancer types, as occurs with ErbB hyperactivity, a form of signaling that drives many carcinomas. Inspired by this idea, scientists at Stanford University have engineered a virus that replicates only in ErbB-hyperactive ovarian cancer cells. This allowed them to precisely kill this specific tumor population, achieving greater efficacy and safety than previous oncolytic viruses.
CGT-1145 shows disease-modifying potential in JAK2 V617F models
At the recently concluded congress of the European Hematology Association, researchers at Cogent Biosciences Inc. presented preclinical data on CGT-1145, a JAK2 V617F-mutant-selective inhibitor designed to preferentially target the mutant kinase while sparing wild-type JAK2.
Avalo Therapeutics advances AVTX-010 for hidradenitis suppurativa
Avalo Therapeutics Inc. is advancing AVTX-010, a long-acting next-generation anti-IL-1β monoclonal antibody with potential for hidradenitis suppurativa and additional inflammatory disorders
Innovative Molecules adds EBV antiviral program to pipeline
Innovative Molecules GmbH's new Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antiviral program consists of several directly acting, highly potent, targeted polymerase inhibitors.
CCR6 antagonists disclosed in Wuhan Createrna patent
Wuhan Createrna Science and Technology Co. Ltd. has synthesized new cyclobutenedione compounds acting as C-C chemokine receptor type 6 (CCR6) antagonists potentially useful for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, allergy, dry eye, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Immunomic’s ITI-9001 to enter clinic for Japanese red cedar allergy
Immunomic Therapeutics Inc. has obtained clinical trial notification (CTN) clearance from Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) for ITI-9001, an investigational immunotherapy for Japanese red cedar allergy. The first-in-human phase I trial will begin in Japan in the second quarter.

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Conferences

Innovent’s IBI-3032 reduces body weight in preclinical obesity
American Diabetes Association
IBI-3032 is a nonpeptide GLP-1 receptor agonist under development at Innovent Biologics Co. Ltd. for the potential treatment of obesity and other metabolic diseases. The company recently reported results of preclinical studies in which pharmacokinetic profiling was performed in vivo in different...
ITGA5 inhibition ameliorates renal injury in lupus nephritis
Immune
Integrin alpha-5 (ITGA5) is a central modulator of extracellular matrix signaling and has been tied to fibrosis and tissue damage, contributing to lupus nephritis (LN) pathogenesis. A group of researchers aimed to investigate the association between ITGA5 and LN and its inhibition as a potential...
Next-gen amylin IBI-3040 drives potent weight loss in preclinical studies
American Diabetes Association
Researchers from Innovent Biologics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. presented preclinical efficacy data on IBI-3040, a dual agonist of amylin and calcitonin receptors (CTR). In vitro studies in UM-UC-3 cells expressing human CTR and amylin receptor subtypes AMY-1 and AMY-3 showed that IBI-3040 elicited robust...
Oban Bio’s OBT-676 shows promising results for obesity
American Diabetes Association
Clinical evidence supports the integration of dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonism (DACRA) with GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptor signaling (triple G) as a synergistic approach for appetite modulation, insulin sensitivity and weight loss. Oban Biopharma Inc. is developing OBT-676, an oral...

Cancer

Dual-epitope anti-LILRB4 STAR-T-cell therapy for R/R AML
Cell therapy
Researchers from Peking University and Bristar Immunotech Ltd. recently presented the development of a synthetic T-cell receptor and antigen receptor-T (STAR-T) cell therapy targeting leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B4 (LILRB4) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Infection

U.S. researchers report new antimalarial compounds
Patents
Brown University, Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University have jointly identified new compounds potentially useful for the treatment of malaria.

TRIM21 marks viruses and bacteria for degradation via autophagy
Science
TRIM21, an enzyme involved in intracellular substrate degradation, can recognize viruses and bacteria that enter the cytosol when they are coated with antibodies. Just as it tags complex molecules for elimination, it can direct these infectious microorganisms to lysosomes through a mechanism its...
Assembly Biosciences synthesizes new anti-cytomegalovirus agents
Patents
Assembly Biosciences Inc. has divulged new dihydroquinazolines potentially useful for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.

Neurology/psychiatric

Gene replacement rescues autism-related phenotypes in mice
Biomarkers
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental epileptic encephalopathies and other neurodevelopmental disorders are driven by the disruption of genes regulating neuronal proliferation, differentiation and synaptic maturation. Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine generated ...
JW Pharmaceutical’s DDC-02 improves cognitive function
JW Pharmaceutical Corp. has presented data on DDC-02 across animal models of several rare neurodevelopmental disorders, including Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, fragile X syndrome and Rett syndrome. Across these models, DDC-02 consistently restored deficits in cognitive and behavioral function.
Scenic Biotech joins MJFF LITE program to expand PLA2G15 research
Collaboration
Scenic Biotech BV has joined The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange (LITE) program to explore the therapeutic potential of its PLA2G15 inhibitor program in Parkinson’s disease, including in patients carrying LRRK2 mutations.
Microbiota modulates the antidepressant effects of GLP-1 analogues
Endocrine/metabolic
Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used in diabetes and obesity, could alleviate depression through a pathway that does not depend on the GLP-1 receptor but instead on the gut microbiota, since the treatment increases the presence of the bacterium Lactobacillus delbrueckii...
Jiangsu Nhwa Pharmaceutical patents new κ-opioid receptor antagonists
Patents
Jiangsu Nhwa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has disclosed κ-opioid receptor antagonists that are potentially useful for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Endocrine/metabolic

INHBE RNAi drives sustained metabolic benefits
Conferences
INHBE encodes the hepatokine activin E, a key mediator of liver-adipose crosstalk involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism and energy balance. Researchers from Innovent Biologics Co. Ltd. recently released preclinical efficacy data on IBI-3046, a novel RNAi therapeutic targeting INHBE.

Biomarkers

Pre-disease plasma signature may help redefine lung cancer risk
Science
Researchers have identified a 14-protein blood signature that can predict lung cancer risk as much as five years before diagnosis, and the findings could help identify people who could benefit from preventive drugs. Published in Cell, the study was a collaboration between the Francis Crick...

Researchers identify innate immune barrier against melanoma
Science
Australian researchers have identified a previously overlooked population of immune cells in the skin that physically restrain melanoma growth by engulfing live melanoma cells, and the discovery could reshape thinking around macrophage-targeted cancer therapies and innate immunity in oncology.
Menstrual ‘footprints’ may act as broad personal health markers
Science
WAVES, an algorithm designed to extract menstrual-cycle metrics from physiological signals such as basal body temperature, which oscillates with sex hormones, shows how different parameters change with age and helps determine whether each person maintains a stable individual pattern or personal...

Gastrointestinal

Targeting TRIM54 mitigates liver injury in cirrhosis
Conferences
Researchers from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine described the role of TRIM54 in cirrhosis progression using two independent animal models of chronic liver injury – a DEN-induced rat model and a CCl4-induced mouse model of liver cirrhosis.
Engitix seals GSK deal for targets to reverse liver fibrosis
Deals and M&A
Extracellular matrix specialist Engitix Ltd. is teaming up with GSK plc to delve into the mechanisms underlying regression of fibrosis after treatment for chronic liver disease, and identify and validate new drug targets involved in this process.
Dual ABCB4/ABCB11 modulation shows promise in cholestatic disease models
Conferences
Researchers from Rectify Pharmaceuticals Inc. presented preclinical efficacy data on RTY-406, a novel dual-acting ABCB4/MDR3 and ABCB11/BSEP modulator, in animal models of primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Technique links non-coding mutations to disease genes they regulate
GWAS
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified multiple loci associated with complex diseases, but these are mostly on regulatory genes in the non-coding part of the genome and it has proved difficult to identify the effector genes that...
Innate immunity and microbiome allied against pulmonary fibrosis
Science
The microbiome and a frontline innate antimicrobial sensor, Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5), play an essential role in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A scientific collaboration led by researchers at the National Institute of...
TAK1 emerges as a therapeutic target in MASLD
Conferences
Transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a crucial central signaling molecule of hepatic cell death, inflammation and fibrogenesis through NF-κB and MAPK in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Its...

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