Articles tagged with Drug Development
Researchers find large language models (LLMs) can predict drug-target interactions more accurately. LLMs are advancing drug discovery by optimizing molecule design and improving model reliability.
MIT researchers developed a fully autonomous experimental platform that can efficiently identify optimal polymer blends. The system uses a genetic algorithm to explore a wide range of potential combinations and autonomously identifies hundreds of blends that outperform their constituent polymers. This workflow could lead to advancement...
Researchers at the University of Arkansas have created a new controlled release system that uses cellulose nanocrystals and alginate to deliver bioactive compounds to specific areas of the body. The system protects medications from acid in the stomach and releases them in alkaline environments, such as the intestines.
A new treatment for corneal scarring is being developed by University of Houston optometry researcher Tarsis G. Ferreira. The treatment uses a natural protein called decorin to block scarring and unwanted blood vessel growth, offering hope for people with injured corneas.
A study from Gladstone Institutes reveals that genetic risk factors for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and stroke exert their effects in blood vessels and immune cells. The research provides a detailed look at how genetic variants function across all major brain cell types, revealing distinct mechanisms for different diseases.
UCSF scientists identified a receptor that enables microglia to engulf and digest amyloid beta plaques, leading to fewer and smaller clumps. This discovery creates an opportunity for new therapies targeting the receptor ADGRG1.
The European Research Council has awarded three ERC Proof of Concept grants to Göttingen University professors, enabling the development of initiatives that can benefit Europe's economy and society. The projects focus on harnessing renewable energy, reducing chemical waste, and improving biomedical image analysis.
A potent new dual lipid kinase inhibitor, RMC-113, selectively inhibits PIKfyve and PIP4K2C, providing a potential strategy to combat emerging viruses. The study reveals that PIP4K2C plays a crucial role in SARS-CoV-2 entry, replication, and assembly/egress, making it an understudied kinase with significant antiviral potential.
Clinical trials show that sutezolid and delpazolid are safer alternatives to linezolid, with strong antimicrobial activity and fewer side effects. These novel antibiotics have the potential to replace linezolid in TB treatment regimens, particularly for long-term use.
Scientists from the University of Bath have identified two new families of chemical compounds that inhibit alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (MCR) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a key enzyme for TB survival. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for TB and potentially other diseases like prostate cancer.
Researchers at Fujita Health University discovered benzaldehyde's mechanism to halt therapy-resistant pancreatic cancer growth and spread. Benzaldehyde prevents key interactions that enable cancer cells' survival and treatment resistance.
Researchers found that hyperactivation of the PARP1 protein after exhaustive training is associated with decreased performance, fatigue, and behavioral symptoms of overtraining. A study published in Molecular Metabolism suggests that excessive protein expression may be the cause of the syndrome.
UVA Health received two anonymous $25 million estate gifts to support the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. The institute will develop new treatments for hard-to-treat diseases with a state-of-the-art biomedical research facility expected to drive economic growth in Central Virginia.
Scientists have developed a method to produce macrocyclic peptides using brewer's yeast, which can be rapidly analyzed for therapeutic applications. The approach harnesses the natural machinery of yeast to create biocompatible and biodegradable peptide molecules with precision targeting and stability.
A new gene therapy delivery device called NANOSPRESSO could revolutionize how hospitals treat rare diseases by allowing them to create personalized nanomedicines in-house. This democratized approach to precision medicine could boost access to low-cost bespoke gene and RNA therapies, especially in low-resource settings.
A new approach enables hospital pharmacists to rapidly create bespoke medicine cartridges for rare disease patients, boosting access to personalized treatment. The NANOSPRESSO platform could open up treatments for underfunded and underserved rare conditions worldwide.
Lars Lannfelt's pioneering research on Alzheimer's disease led to the development of lecanemab, a first-ever disease-modifying drug in EU. The €60,000 Hartwig Piepenbrock-DZNE Prize honors his contributions to understanding Alzheimer's and slowing its progression.
A study from Waseda University reveals distinct differences between enantiomeric and racemic thalidomide crystals, with asymmetric and uniform thermal responses attributed to dimer symmetry. This research provides insights into chiral compound behavior and supports rational drug design.
A new Center for Protein Design at the University of Copenhagen aims to create artificially designed proteins with tailored properties to tackle diseases, environmental issues, and industrial applications. The centre will drive fundamental research and translate basic findings into concrete solutions.
A phase 3 trial demonstrated the efficacy of selumetinib in reducing tumor size and alleviating pain in adults with neurofibromatosis type 1. The treatment was found to be effective in patients who received it from day one, as well as those who started it later, with significant reductions in tumor size and pain reported.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science have turned a deadly fungus into a potent cancer-fighting compound. The new compound, called asperigimycins, has shown promising results against leukemia cells, rivaling FDA-approved drugs.
A new study reveals that Rapamycin has a comparable life-extending effect to dietary restriction in eight species of vertebrates. The compound, originally developed as an immunosuppressant, offers similar benefits without the need for caloric restriction.
Critical Path Institute's Translational Therapeutics Accelerator awards $250,000 to researchers advancing a promising therapeutic pathway for type 1 diabetes. The project aims to address key challenges in T1D treatment, including beta-cell preservation and immune system modulation.
Researchers developed AI-driven platform IDentif.AI to uncover sex-specific drug combinations for aortic valve stenosis, a serious heart condition. The study found that female-biased combinations were more effective in addressing the disease in female cells, while male-biased combinations were more effective in male cells.
The ISSCR Embryo Models Working Group has released updated recommendations for the oversight and regulation of SCBEMs. The proposed guidelines aim to balance scientific progress with ethical, legal, and social considerations.
Researchers review nanozymes derived from Chinese herbs, including their catalytic properties, biomedical applications, and potential challenges in developing herbzymes for practical use. The review highlights three main types of herbzymes: herb carbon dot enzymes, polyphenol-metal nanozymes, and herb extract nanozymes.
Researchers have identified a critical step in SARS-CoV-2 viral infection: the protective role of ORF3a, which forms dense bodies surrounding the spike protein to prevent it from being cut into smaller components. This finding could lead to new therapeutic targets and vaccine development strategies.
The Phase 1 study of EBC-129 has shown encouraging signs of efficacy in heavily pre-treated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients, with an overall response rate of 25% and disease control rate of 87.5%. The drug also demonstrated a manageable safety profile, with no major treatment-related adverse events.
A team of researchers used AI and human collaboration to identify six promising drug pairs against breast cancer cells. The combinations, including simvastatin and disulfiram, showed potential for further research in therapeutic repurposing.
The research aims to improve the survivability of wounded soldiers, enhance combat safety, and accelerate postoperative recovery in a multicenter pivotal clinical study. OYE's technology has shown promise in reducing mortality rates, lowering healthcare costs, and improving surgical workflow efficiency.
Scientists have engineered a herpes virus to activate pathways in T cells, enhancing their ability to fight cancer. The approach uses proteins from the herpes virus to recruit enzymes that sustain T cell function in tumors.
The Experimental Drug Development Centre's EBC-129, an antibody-drug conjugate targeting pancreatic cancer, has received FDA fast track designation. The treatment is undergoing Phase 1 clinical trials and aims to provide new treatment options for patients with solid tumours.
Researchers found that an inexpensive HIV drug can improve vision in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) more effectively and at a lower cost than existing treatments. The drug, lamivudine, is taken orally and may represent a game-changing option for millions of patients worldwide.
Researchers at University of Gothenburg identified a group of nerve cells controlling semaglutide's appetite-suppressing effects without causing nausea. The discovery may lead to improved treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
A new study at the University of Turku identified conditions under which Bexmarilimab activates the immune system against cancer. The drug was shown to trigger B cell-mediated immune responses in healthy tissue adjacent to tumors. This could lead to more accurate patient selection and improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers at UCLA Health identified a candidate small molecule, DDL-357, that increases concentrations of secreted clusterin, reducing toxic protein phospho-tau and improving mitochondrial function. The drug also improved memory in treated mice in maze-based cognitive tests.
The Center for Research Innovation in Biotechnology (CRIB) has developed a comprehensive database of active pharmaceutical ingredients with evidence of clinical testing. The database provides valuable information on drug discovery and development, including pricing, sponsors, and intended clinical applications.
Scientists have developed a sugar-coated nanotherapy that effectively traps misfolded proteins, neutralizing their toxic effects on neurons. The treatment significantly boosts the survival of lab-grown human neurons under stress from disease-causing proteins.
FibroFind's patented Precision Cut Tissue Slice (PCTS) platform preserves the architecture and function of both healthy and diseased human tissue, providing unparalleled translational accuracy. The acquisition is expected to scale FibroFind's reach across therapeutic areas and deepen its impact in pre-clinical drug development.
Researchers have developed a new compound, SHP1705, that selectively attacks glioblastoma stem cells by hijacked circadian clock proteins. The compound was found to be safe and well-tolerated in humans during a phase 1 clinical trial.
A new generative AI model, DiffSMol, has been developed to generate realistic 3D structures of small molecules with promising drug properties. The study achieved a 61.4% success rate in creating novel molecules, outperforming prior research attempts.
University of Oklahoma researchers have developed a method to add a single carbon atom to drug molecules, increasing chemical diversity without compromising sensitive structures. This technique, called skeletal editing, has the potential to revolutionize DNA-encoded library technology and reduce healthcare costs.
Researchers developed a topical antibiotic gel that cured middle ear infections in chinchillas within 24 hours. The gel, containing negatively charged liposomes, was more effective than previous formulations in delivering antibiotics across infected eardrums.
Rasika Dias, a renowned chemist at UTA, has been named a 2025 fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry for his groundbreaking contributions to chemical sciences. He is the second chemistry faculty member to receive this honor.
Researchers developed promising α-synuclein PET tracers that can visualize protein aggregates in living patients, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Tracers like [18F]C05-05 and [18F]ACI-12589 showed significant results in distinguishing synucleinopathies from healthy controls.
Dr. Richard Pazdur, MD, receives the 2025 AACR Enduring Impact Award for his quarter century of service in cancer science and medicine. He has led an era of progress at the FDA, improving outcomes for patients with cancer through expedited development of novel therapeutics.
A clinical trial found that LUT014, a topical BRAF inhibitor, significantly reduced the severity of acne-like skin rashes caused by targeted therapy for colorectal cancer. Patients who received LUT014 had improved quality of life and were able to continue receiving their cancer treatment with reduced side effects.
The treatment demonstrated early signals of efficacy, with 65.7% of patients experiencing lasting stable disease, and was generally well-tolerated, with most adverse events being mild and manageable.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive method to detect nitazenes – highly potent synthetic opioids – and xylazine, an animal sedative not approved for human use, in Australian wastewater. The method achieved up to 1000-fold enrichment and detected trace levels of these substances, posing significant risks of overdose.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have made significant breakthroughs in understanding Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and early brain development. They identified a rare quiescent population of stem cells responsible for disease persistence and therapy resistance, as well as shedding light on gene expression patterns ...
Common prescription medications can disrupt sterol biosynthesis, potentially causing developmental disorders. The editorial highlights the need for mandatory sterol biosynthesis screening in clinical practice.
University of Oklahoma researchers create bioactive sugars to develop novel antibiotics against multi-drug-resistant infections in cancer patients. By using abundant, inexpensive, iron or metal-free, non-toxic blue light, the team can more easily and rapidly synthesize these important carbohydrates.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that adding copper-loaded agents to radiotherapy can overcome radioresistance in preclinical models of thoracic cancer. A novel blood-based biomarker, OSMR, has also been identified in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which shows prognostic potential and can help ident...
Researchers from the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw discovered a crucial role of enzyme TENT5A in extending poly(A) tails of therapeutic mRNA molecules, making them more stable and effective. Macrophages play a key role in vaccine effectiveness, capturing and neutralizing 'intruders' after administration.
A team of experts at Cincinnati Children's reports achieving a milestone in growing human liver organoid tissue that faithfully reproduces key zones, nearly doubling rodent survival rate. This breakthrough paves the way for studying human liver biology and disease, accelerating drug development and potentially leading to repair tissues.
The University of Missouri is partnering with a consortium to design and license a new research reactor, NextGen MURR, which will produce critical medical isotopes for cancer treatment. The project aims to enhance Missouri's role as a leader in nuclear science and medical research.
A novel cannula delivery system allows repeated, nondisruptive delivery of imaging agents to the mouse brain during long-term multiphoton microscopy. This innovation enhances longitudinal studies on brain function, disease progression, and potential treatments.
A new, easier-to-administer sustained-release formulation of flucytosine has entered Phase II clinical trials in Malawi and Tanzania. The trial aims to address the growing concern of cryptococcal meningitis, a major health threat to people with weakened immune systems, particularly those with advanced HIV.
A landmark study found that over 3 million children worldwide lost their lives in 2022 due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-related infections. The study data also revealed a sharp rise in the use of Watch and Reserve antibiotics, posing serious long-term risks.
Researchers used CRISPR interference to examine every gene in the human genome and discovered a new set of genes contributing to Parkinson's disease risk. The study identified the Commander complex, which regulates lysosomal function and is implicated in PD risk, offering opportunities for new treatments.