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Research opens up new avenue for Tuberculosis drug discovery

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.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 2, 2025

Candidate drug that boosts protective brain protein in mice has potential to treat Alzheimer’s Disease

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·Journalnpj Drug Discovery·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 20, 2025

Drug candidate successfully treats atherosclerosis, fatty liver disease in large mammals

Researchers successfully treated atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease using DT-109 in nonhuman primates, which has potential as a dual therapy for two common conditions. The compound reduced the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and stopped critical processes that lead to vascular calcification.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2025

Efficient development of drugs with fewer mice

Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a technology to test 25 antibodies simultaneously in a single mouse, greatly reducing the number of laboratory animals required. The method uses protein fragments as barcodes for analysis, allowing for high-quality preclinical data on multiple antibody candidates.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

New drug shows promise in treating liver disease caused by metabolic dysfunction, cancer

A new drug candidate has been developed to target and eliminate senescent cells in the liver, reducing fat buildup and preventing liver damage. The study demonstrates a safer and more effective approach to treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and potentially inhibiting liver cancer development.

New method searches through 10 sextillion drug molecules

Researchers developed a new method to search through billions of molecules to identify potential anti-inflammatory drug candidates. The method uses computer algorithms to explore vast chemical space and has the potential to speed up the costly drug development process.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 26, 2025

Antibiotics of the future are prone to bacterial resistance

Recent studies have found that new antibiotics are prone to rapid development of resistance, even before they are widely used. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of these treatments in the long run. To address this issue, researchers call for a shift in antibiotic development prioritizing novel modes of action and responsible...

SourceHUN-REN Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2025

Nature Biotechnology | Generative chemistry enables Insilico to develop gut-restricted PhD inhibitors promising for intestinal mucosal barrier repair and immunomodulation

Scientists at Insilico Medicine developed a novel gut-restricted PHD inhibitor using generative chemistry engine Chemistry42, promising to repair intestinal mucosal barriers and regulate immune responses in IBD. The compound, ISM5411, demonstrated significant anti-colitis activity without systemic side effects.

SourceInSilico Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateDec 11, 2024

More than 5 million Americans would be eligible for psychedelic therapy, study finds

A study from Emory University reveals that 56-62% of individuals treated for Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment-Resistant Depression are eligible for psilocybin-assisted therapy, which could benefit around 5.1-5.6 million people in the US. The treatment has potential to reduce symptoms of depression with a single dose of 25 mg of ...

SourceEmory Health Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 12, 2024

High-tech tracking technology streamlines drug discovery

Researchers have developed a large-scale drug screening technique that tracks drug targets inside cells, allowing for the identification of potential new drugs. The technology screens candidate drugs 100 times faster than standard manual techniques, enabling the discovery of previously unknown drugs.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 31, 2024

Pharmacology: Venomous crustacean from Mayan underwater caves provides new drug candidates

A study from Goethe University Frankfurt reveals that venomous crustaceans, specifically remipede crabs in Mexican cenote caves, contain a variety of toxins with pharmacological potential. The xibalbines peptides effectively inhibit potassium channels and activate signaling pathways involved in pain sensitization.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalBMC Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2024

First narrow-spectrum antibiotic successfully eliminates Fusobacterium nucleatum in breakthrough study at the ADA Forsyth institute

A new narrow-spectrum antibiotic, FP 100, has been found to effectively eliminate Fusobacterium nucleatum without harming the oral or gut microbiomes. This breakthrough discovery holds significant implications for treating severe gum disease and preventing related systemic conditions such as colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceForsyth Institute·JournalJournal of Oral Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2024

Old drugs new tricks

Researchers have identified a potent and unique way to kill drug-resistant bacteria using a repurposed compound called LEI-800. The compound targets the bacterial enzyme DNA gyrase, which is essential for bacterial growth and has not been targeted by existing antibiotics.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2024

A second chance for new antibiotic agent

Researchers have successfully adapted a modified drug molecule to selectively bind to a protein in bacteria, rather than human cells, making it more effective against bacterial infections. This breakthrough could provide a new avenue for treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2024

New drug candidate reverses obesity in mice

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new class of drugs that block mitochondrial function and reverse diet-induced obesity, fatty liver, and diabetes in mice. The treatment increased fat metabolism, leading to drastic weight loss and restored glucose tolerance.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

A vaccine to fight antibiotic resistance

A team of researchers from MSU and Harvard Medical School has created a promising vaccine candidate for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The vaccine targets Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with high levels of immunity observed in animal trials.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2024

How scientists are accelerating chemistry discoveries with automation

A new statistical-modeling workflow can quickly identify molecular structures of products formed by chemical reactions, accelerating drug discovery and synthetic chemistry. The workflow also enables the analysis of unpurified reaction mixtures, reducing time spent on purification and characterization.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 2024

Rutgers racing to develop Paxlovid replacement

Researchers from Rutgers University have developed an oral COVID-19 treatment that inhibits disease progression in animals, paving the way for human trials. The treatment, dubbed Jun12682, interferes with viral papain-like protease and shows promise as a potential replacement for Paxlovid.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2024