Japanese researchers have transplanted human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in a primate model of myocardial infarction and were able to restore heart muscle and function in monkeys. Developed by Tokyo-based Heartseed Inc., the grafted iPSCs consist of clusters of purified heart muscle cells (cardiomyocyte spheroids) that are injected into the myocardial layer of the heart. Published in Circulation on April 26, 2024, the study showed that the cardiomyocyte spheroids survived long term and showed improved contractile function with low occurrence of post-transplant arrhythmias.
Japanese researchers have transplanted human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in a primate model of myocardial infarction and were able to restore heart muscle and function in monkeys. Developed by Tokyo-based Heartseed Inc., the grafted iPSCs consist of clusters of purified heart muscle cells (cardiomyocyte spheroids) that are injected into the myocardial layer of the heart. Published in Circulation on April 26, 2024, the study showed that the cardiomyocyte spheroids survived long term and showed improved contractile function with low occurrence of post-transplant arrhythmias.
Novel HIV-1 vaccine strategies should elicit potent and broad immunity against the viral envelope (Env) glycoprotein. Particle presentation of Env has shown promise in animal studies, but has several problems that limit their clinical application.
There is still a need for developing more potent and broadly neutralizing vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 with improved durability. At the recent ESCMID meeting, Astrazeneca plc presented a new mRNA vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that encodes for self-assembling virus-like particle (VLP) antigens.
The TEAD family of transcription factors are regulated by the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway and they act by binding the co-activators YAP and TAZ that drive the transcription of genes involved in cell survival, proliferation, migration, differentiation and resistance.
Latus Bio Inc. has launched with a focus on developing novel gene therapy candidates for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. An initial close of $54 million in series A financing will support the company.
Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, is the leading tick-borne infection. Between 10% and 35% of patients show post-antibiotic treatment Lyme disease syndrome, with symptoms including fatigue, cognitive issues, memory loss, neuropathy, joint pain, musculoskeletal pain, sleep issues, depression and others.
Researchers from Tan Tock Seng Hospital presented data from a study investigating the utility of soluble suppressor of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2) as early prognostic biomarker of severe dengue.
Current approved antifungal therapies are limited by their associated adverse events. SCY-247 is a new triterpenoid antifungal for intravenous or oral administration that inhibits the glucan synthase enzyme, which is a key member for the fungal cell wall.
Chong Kun Dang Pharm (CKD Pharm) has presented data on their c-Met-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) CKD-703 for the treatment of solid tumors. CKD-703 was designed based on site-specific conjugation, with a stable and homogeneous drug-antibody ratio profile.
Vedanta Biosciences Inc. has been awarded $3.9 million in funding from the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) to advance its VE-707 preclinical development program for reducing colonization and preventing subsequent infections caused by...
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne disease that results from an infection with the SFTS virus, with a case fatality rate of 6.1% to 21.8%. Identifying critically ill patients at the early stages is crucial for clinical management.
Researchers from State University of New Jersey (Rutgers) and Oklahoma State University have published preclinical data for a novel a SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) inhibitor being developed as an antiviral candidate for the treatment of COVID-19.
Jiangsu Chia Tai Fenghai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has developed a new small-molecule oral compound for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, FHND-1002, which demonstrated neuronal protection in models of neurodegenerative diseases and neuron trauma.
Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Hansoh Biomedical Co. Ltd. have described potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily KQT member 2/3 (KCNQ2/3) activators potentially useful for the treatment of epilepsy and depression.
Pain treatment, especially non-addictive treatment for severe pain, remains a critical unmet need. Among the TRP channels, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 3 (TRMP3) is a channel expressed in somatosensory neurons, including nociceptors of rodents and humans.
Researchers from Biohaven Pharmaceuticals Inc. presented preclinical data for the first-in-class extracellular bispecific IgG degrader, BHV-1300, being developed for the treatment of neuroinflammatory and autoimmune disease.
Proof-of-concept findings had shown that mRNA silencing of striatal Cav1.3 channels prevented and reversed established levodopa-induced dyskinesia in parkinsonian rats, with these effects being maintained in aged rats.
Lung cancer is still among the deadliest cancers worldwide, with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung accounting for about 30% of the cases. When the cancer metastasizes to the lymph nodes, the patient has a worse overall survival.
Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital have linked the risk of heart failure during pregnancy and senescence proteins produced by placental aging, which could clarify how peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is triggered and opens the door to the development of cardiac function therapies in late...
Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is a disease characterized by hypoalbuminemia, proteinuria, edema and hyperlipidemia, and a cause of chronic kidney disease in the pediatric population.
Virginia Commonwealth University has identified cholestenoic acid derivatives reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, sepsis, atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD; metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver...
Synedgen Inc. has completed IND-enabling studies for its lead candidate, MIIST-305, which is being developed for ulcerative colitis and as a medical countermeasure for gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome. Within a year, Synedgen plans to...
Ochre Bio Ltd. has established a partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG focused on the discovery and development of novel first-in-class regenerative treatments for chronic liver diseases, such as late-stage metabolic...
New York University has described protein spinster homolog 2 (SPNS2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of acute lung injury, autoimmune disease, colitis, Alzheimer’s disease, fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple...
Palisade Bio Inc. has completed its analysis evaluating ex vivo bioactivation of PALI-2108, an orally administered, locally acting colon-specific phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor prodrug in development for ulcerative colitis.
Scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and affiliated organizations have discovered novel GPR183 antagonists as potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). With the aim of improving the...
Breakthrough medicines, billion-dollar deals, spectacular clinical successes and crushing failures all play a part in biopharma’s dynamic story. Developers make scientific advancements with the potential to change everything, only to face regulatory conundrums and ever-fluctuating markets. BioWorld tracks key events in the fast-moving sector every business day. Now, the BioWorld Insider podcast lets you hear directly from the movers and shakers whose collective work is changing how we all live. Join us each week for a new conversation.