UK firm Trimtech emerges with $31M seed round for TRIM21 bispecifics
Trimtech Therapeutics closed a £25 million (US$31 million) oversubscribed seed funding round to advance its targeted protein degradation treatments for neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases.

UK firm Trimtech emerges with $31M seed round for TRIM21 bispecifics
Trimtech Therapeutics closed a £25 million (US$31 million) oversubscribed seed funding round to advance its targeted protein degradation treatments for neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases.
NEK2 inhibition improves neurological function in model of multiple sclerosis
Researchers from General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University presented data from a study that aimed to explore the role of NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) in regulating B-cell immunity in autoimmune diseases. It was demonstrated that NEK2 is highly expressed in patients with multiple sclerosis.
GluN2B signaling regulates dendritic spine plasticity and reverses FXS phenotypes
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited form of intellectual disability and a leading monogenic cause of autism, yet effective treatments remain elusive. Previous work showed that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a prominent pathophysiological role in FXS and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
ARO-ALK7 demonstrates safety and efficacy in obesity mouse model
Previous research has demonstrated that activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7) signaling suppresses lipolysis, resulting in increased adipocyte size and lipid content. Additionally, predicted loss of function variants in the ALK7 gene (ACVR1C) have been associated with reduced waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) adjusted for body mass index, protection from type 2 diabetes, as well as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Other news to note for March 7, 2025
Additional early-stage research and drug discovery news in brief.
Novel HDAC3 inhibitor with high oral availability divulged
Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is involved in transcriptional regulation, phosphorylation and the inhibition of tumor suppressor genes. Its upregulation in several types of tumors, such as colorectal, prostate, breast and ovarian cancers, among others, makes it a potential therapeutic target in cancer.
VCR-036, a pentavalent bispecific PD-1/CTLA4 Vincobody with promising preclinical safety and efficacy
Researchers from Vicero Inc. have developed a Vincobody platform, which allows for design of novel proprietary VHH antibody fragments that possess the efficacy of dual checkpoint blockade while mitigating the toxicity limitations of current monoclonal antibody therapies.
Cancer Targeted Technology patents new PSMA-targeting conjugates
Cancer Targeted Technology LLC has disclosed conjugates comprising a glutamate carboxypeptidase 2 (FOLH1; NAALAD1; PSMA) targeting ligand covalently linked to a therapeutic or diagnostic agent through a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of prostate cancer.

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Conferences

THB-335 counteracts cutaneous anaphylaxis in vivo
Dermatologic
THB-335 is an oral inhibitor of mast/stem cell growth factor receptor Kit (KIT), which regulates the activation and migration of mast cells, making it a relevant therapeutic target for inflammatory and allergic processes.
IRL-201104 shows efficacy with different routes of administration in preclinical models
Immune
Researchers from Revolo Biotherapeutics Ltd. recently presented preclinical data for IRL-201104, a clinical-stage immunomodulatory peptide currently in phase II development as an intravenous treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis.
BLU-808 effectively inhibits mast cell activation in preclinical models
Immune
At the recent AAAAI/WAO meeting, Blueprint Medicines Corp. presented the in vitro and in vivo characterization of BLU-808, a selective inhibitor of wild-type KIT, a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase involved in mast cell activation, proliferation and chemotaxis.
APG-333 counteracts type 2 inflammation with an extended half-life profile
Immune
Researchers from Apogee Therapeutics Inc. and Paragon Therapeutics Inc. have reported the preclinical characterization of APG-333, a half-life extended monoclonal antibody targeting thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine secreted by epithelial cells that acts as an alarmin in response to...

Cancer

TTK-related gene index predicts prognosis and immunotherapy response in ESCC
Biomarkers
Esophageal cancer, particularly esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), is one of the most prevalent digestive malignancies, with a 5-year survival rate of only 20%. Although some cancer immunotherapies based on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promise for ESCC, only a minority of...

Infection

Synthetic microbiome prevents Clostridioides difficile recurrences
Science
Investigators at Pennsylvania State University have described a novel approach to combat Clostridioides difficile infection using a synthetic microbiome therapy, which offers an alternative to antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplant (FMT). C. diff, the main cause of antibiotic-related diarrhea,...

Centauri selects clinical candidate for gram-negative bacterial lung infections
Peptide
Centauri Therapeutics Ltd. has selected its first clinical candidate in the ABX-01 program to treat gram-negative bacterial lung infections. Based on the company’s Alphamer platform, the broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide has been selected to treat clinically prevalent and multidrug-resistant...
CVH-174 bioavailability enhanced by ritonavir and zosuquidar
Conferences
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is predicted to cause 10 million deaths every year by 2050. Since its identification more than 50 years ago, pleuromutilin has served as a scaffold for the development of new types of antibiotics.

Neurology/psychiatric

AC-102 penetrates rapidly, distributes evenly along the cochlea after intratympanic delivery in pigs
Conferences
Researchers from Medical University of Vienna and affiliated organizations have presented findings from a study that aimed to assess the perilymph and tissue distribution of AC-102, a small and lipophilic intratympanically delivered pyridoindole derivative, in clinical development at Audiocure...
New KCNQ2/3 activators disclosed in Xenon Pharmaceuticals patents
Patents
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. has divulged potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily KQT member 2/3 (KCNQ2/3) activators reported to be useful for the treatment of pain, anhedonia, depression and seizure disorders.
Virginia Commonwealth University divulges new µ-opioid receptor modulators
Patents
Virginia Commonwealth University has synthesized nitrogen-walk derivatives of NAN acting as µ-opioid receptor modulators reported to be useful for the treatment of pain, opioid dependency and neurological disorders.
Alumis’ brain-penetrant TYK2 inhibitor prevents neuroinflammation
Conferences
Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), expressed in astrocytes and microglia, is involved in the activation of pathways triggered by proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-23, IL-12 and type I interferons (IFNs), within the central nervous system (CNS). Dysregulated activation of astrocytes and microglia may...
CD38 inhibition as an approach for Guillain-Barré syndrome
Conferences
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-driven inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis. Despite treatment options, GBS stays severe, with a mortality rate of 3%-10%. The mechanisms behind GBS are poorly understood and new therapeutic...

Endocrine/metabolic

Jnana Therapeutics discovers new SLC6A19 inhibitors
Patents
Jnana Therapeutics Inc. has described sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter B(0)AT1 (SLC6A19) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, nonalcoholic or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (NASH/MASH), phenylketonuria, metabolic...

Biomarkers

TROP2 is a prognostic factor in urachal carcinoma
Conferences
Urachal carcinoma is a rare cancer which lacks a standard drug therapy, and for which knowledge regarding its immunohistochemical features remains unclear. The aim of a recently reported investigation was finding potential markers and targets for urachal carcinoma based on antibody-drug conjugate...

RNA panel detects and differentiates prostate cancer from benign prostate hyperplasia
Conferences
Prostate cancer is still one of the main causes of cancer death among men; while prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is done for screening, there are recommendations against its use due to its nonspecific and suboptimal results. There is thus an urgent need for new biomarkers that are more...
CDCA4 as new molecular target for bladder cancer
Cancer
Previous research has shown that cell division cycle associated 4 (CDCA4) is overexpressed in multiple tumors and is involved in tumor progression. Researchers from Yangtze University and affiliated organizations investigated the role of CDCA4 in bladder cancer.

Gastrointestinal

Glycopolymer radiomitigator protects mice from radiation-induced GI injury
Substance use and poisoning
Exposure to high-dose radiation can result in gastrointestinal (GI) acute radiation syndrome, which is characterized by disruption of the mucosal layer, intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction, and abnormal inflammatory responses. Currently,...
IL-21120033, CXCR7 agonist with significant efficacy in DSS-induced colitis model
Conferences
Researchers from Ileadbms Co. Ltd. presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of IL-21120033, a new CXCR7 agonist being developed for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Neurenati’s NEU-001 awarded orphan drug designation for Hirschsprung disease
Regulatory
Neurenati Therapeutics Inc.’s NEU-001 has been awarded U.S. orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations by the FDA for the treatment of Hirschsprung disease.
New microbiome-based therapy shows potent anti-inflammatory efficacy in models of IBD
Conferences
Researchers from CJ Bioscience Inc. presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of CJRB-201, a novel microbiome-based therapy for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
ACSS2 as pro-inflammatory factor and therapeutic target in IBD
Conferences
Scientists from the Lebanese American University investigated the role of acetyl-CoA synthetase short chain family member 2 (ACSS2) in inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
CCR9 blockade reestablishes gastrointestinal equilibrium in IBD
Conferences
Researchers from Sunrock Biopharma SL presented preclinical data on SRB-1, a CCR9-depleting antibody aimed to restore immune homeostasis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

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