Quintuple GLP-1–GIP–PPAR agonist for obesity and diabetes control
A new molecule combines the action of two incretins, GLP-1 and GIP, hormones that regulate glucose and appetite, with lanifibranor, a triple agonist of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR α/γ/δ). GLP-1–GIP–Lani enables targeted delivery of the PPAR agonist to cells that express incretin receptors, enhancing weight loss, improving glucose control and reducing inflammation in obese mice. In these models, it surpassed the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and GLP-1–GIP co-agonists such as tirzepatide in reducing body weight, improving glycemic control and enhancing metabolic outcomes during active treatment.

Quintuple GLP-1–GIP–PPAR agonist for obesity and diabetes control
A new molecule combines the action of two incretins, GLP-1 and GIP, hormones that regulate glucose and appetite, with lanifibranor, a triple agonist of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR α/γ/δ). GLP-1–GIP–Lani enables targeted delivery of the PPAR agonist to cells that express incretin receptors, enhancing weight loss, improving glucose control and reducing inflammation in obese mice. In these models, it surpassed the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and GLP-1–GIP co-agonists such as tirzepatide in reducing body weight, improving glycemic control and enhancing metabolic outcomes during active treatment.
Tacalyx supports TCX-201 with seed extension financing
Tacalyx GmbH has selected its first clinical candidate, TCX-201, and secured €11 million (US$12.8 million) in a first closing of its seed extension round to support the program’s progression through preclinical development. TCX-201 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) against an undisclosed tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen (TACA).
Laguna Biotherapeutics’ LGNA-100 gains IND clearance
Laguna Biotherapeutics Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for its cancer immunotherapeutic LGNA-100 (QUAIL-100). The planned first-in-human phase I study will evaluate LGNA-100 in pediatric and young adult participants with high-risk acute leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes following αβ-depleted hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to prevent leukemic relapse.
Astrazeneca exercises option for Pinetree’s PTX-299
Astrazeneca plc has exercised an option under its collaboration with Pinetree Therapeutics Inc. to obtain an exclusive global license to develop and commercialize PTX-299, a first-in-class bispecific antibody degrader targeting EGFR. The option exercise triggers a $25 million payment to Pinetree.
Holiday notice
In accordance with the publishing schedule, BioWorld Science will not be published on Friday, May 1, 2026.
EQ-504 is AhR agonist for ulcerative colitis, related disorders
Activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in immune cells enhances anti-inflammatory pathways and limits pathogenic immune responses. Equillium Inc. has recently presented data for their AhR agonist EQ-504 for the potential treatment of immune-related diseases.
Genomics and Greywolf partner in autoimmune diseases
Genomics Ltd. has established a strategic relationship with Grey Wolf Therapeutics Ltd. (Greywolf) to develop first-in-class treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Alceptor Therapeutics discovers new α2B-adrenoceptor agonists
Alceptor Therapeutics Inc. has patented new pyrazol-5-amine α2B-adrenoceptor agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of pain and hypertension.
Pharmability completes toxicology program for TIR-C
Pharmability AB (formerly Tirmed Pharma AB) has completed its GLP toxicology program for TIR-C, the company’s cutaneous drug candidate for atopic dermatitis, confirming a favorable safety profile.

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Conferences

Montai’s MTAI-1025 demonstrates efficacy in ulcerative colitis
Gastrointestinal
The combination of impaired epithelial barrier function, mucosal inflammation and elevated oxidative stress is determinant for the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is an important transcription factor for modulating antioxidant defenses, inhibiting inflammatory...
Astrazeneca unveils safer CD8-guided TCE for prostate cancer
American Association for Cancer Research
T-cell engagers (TCEs) drive synthetic antitumor immunity by bypassing endogenous T-cell priming and directly inducing tumor cell killing. In prostate cancer, targeting prostate-restricted antigens such as STEAP2, combined with CD8-guided TCE formats that favor cytotoxic T-cell engagement, offers a...
DXC-016: potent c-Met ADC for subcutaneous use
American Association for Cancer Research
Researchers from Hangzhou DAC Biotechnology Co. Ltd. reported preclinical efficacy data for DXC-016, a next-generation, subcutaneously administered, dual-payload c-Met-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) derived from the DXA-016 anti-c-Met nanobody.
Preclinical data behind Astellas’ ASP-2998 for TROP2+ cancer
American Association for Cancer Research
Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TROP2) is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in different signaling pathways that promote proliferation, migration and invasion of tumoral cells, and its overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in multiple cancer types. Astellas Pharma Inc....

Cancer

Innervation can slow, as well as speed, tumor growth, study finds
Science
Innervation by the sympathetic nervous system is typically a boon to tumors. But researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and colleagues have shown that in some cases, the relationship between tumors and the nervous system is more complex. Depending on context, innervation can either assist or...

Infection

Aventera raises funding for streptococcal infection program
Financings
Aventera Antibodies AB has successfully raised SEK14.5 million (US$15.6 million) in a funding round to support the preclinical development of the company’s lead drug candidate for life-threatening streptococcal infections.

CARB-X award supports Adjane’s gonorrhea vaccine
Financings
CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) is awarding US$2.6 million to Adjane Holding BV to advance the development of a vaccine candidate to prevent infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Kp-OMV4 elicits strong immunity against K. pneumoniae
Conferences
Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major health problem globally, with relevant infection-related mortality reported. Researchers from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III in Spain and their collaborators recently presented data regarding an outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine for the...

Neurology/psychiatric

A new prodrug approach overcomes trofinetide’s limitations
Genetic/congenital
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental condition affecting multiple organ systems and is most often driven by mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene. Researchers at Shanghai Duomirui Biological Technology Co. Ltd. have developed a new class of trofinetide prodrugs aimed at addressing...
CIRM grant to help advance Acurastem’s AS-241 toward clinic
Financings
Acurastem Inc. has been awarded $7.5 million in grant funding by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to support the advancement of lead clinical candidate AS-241 toward first-in-human testing.
Roche identifies new TREM2 agonists
Patents
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. have prepared and tested new compounds acting as triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) agonists. As such, they are believed to be potentially useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,...
Single-gene therapy for LSDs with modified lysosomal enzyme shows preclinical efficacy
Endocrine/metabolic
In previous work, researchers from Kawasaki Medical School and collaborating institutions engineered a modified HEXB construct, modHexB, to improve GM2 ganglioside (GM2) recognition and GM2-activating protein (GM2A) interaction. The team has now combined these previous advancements to develop a new...
Plasticity, properly parsed, provides psychiatric platform
Conferences
If Benjamin Braddock, of The Graduate fame, were a young neuroscientist in the 21st century instead of a liberal arts graduate in 1967, the advice he received from his parents’ neighbor might not have been “One word: plastics!” but “One word: plasticity!” Plasticity is a hot concept in...

Endocrine/metabolic

Pfizer patents describe GIPR antagonists
Patents
Pfizer Inc. has patented new gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) antagonists reported to be potentially useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Biomarkers

Detecting the invisible: minimal residual disease at AACR 2026
Conferences
Minimal residual disease (MRD) has become a central concept in modern oncology, reshaping how clinicians evaluate response, relapse risk and treatment precision. As increasingly sensitive technologies reveal traces of cancer that persist after therapy, MRD is emerging as both a biological challenge...

Aberrant HORMAD1 expression in TNBC increases sensitivity to mitotic kinase inhibitors
Cancer
HORMA domain-containing protein 1 (HORMAD1) is a protein that promotes meiotic recombination and its expression is usually restricted to germ-line cells, although it has been shown to be actively expressed out of context in about 60% of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs). A team at The...
GWAS identifies variant associated with diabetic retinopathy and susceptibility to T2D
GWAS
Scientists at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and collaborators aimed to identify genetic variants associated with diabetic retinopathy.

Gastrointestinal

Novel method BOOSTs organ growth after transplantation
Drug design, drug delivery and technologies
A major challenge in tissue engineering is not only achieving the correct cellular organization of an engineered tissue, but also expanding it to a clinically useful size after implantation. Researchers from the Wyss Institute at Harvard...
Mayinglong Pharmaceutical presents new 5-HT4 receptor agonists
Patents
Mayinglong Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. has reported new 5-HT4 receptor agonists that are potentially useful for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, delayed gastric emptying...
Hubei Bio-Pharmaceutical Industrial Technological Institute divulges new VAV1 degraders
Degradation inducer
Hubei Bio-Pharmaceutical Industrial Technological Institute Inc. has identified new molecular glue degrader compounds acting as proto-oncogene Vav (VAV1)/protein cereblon (CRBN) interaction inducers for degradation of VAV1 reported to be useful...
GLP-1R drug response tied to variants in target genes
Science
The development of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, has been a game changer in the clinical management of overweight and obesity, but there is interpersonal variability in efficacy of these...
Proqr Therapeutics expands early-stage pipeline
Endocrine/metabolic
Proqr Therapeutics NV has highlighted the continued progression and expansion of its early-stage pipeline of RNA editing therapies, including programs in cholestatic diseases, Hurler syndrome, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and...
HHEX emerges as a potential IBD target
In recent work, researchers from Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center reported that the transcription factor hematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX) promotes tumorigenesis in...

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