Articles tagged with Drug Candidates
A retrospective cohort study of 1,404 subjects with type 2 diabetes found that metformin use reduced the risk of delirium by 50% and decreased 3-year mortality rates. The study suggests that metformin may be a potential benefit for patients with diabetes, particularly in reducing age-related disorders such as dementia.
A research team led by City University of Hong Kong neuroscientist Dr. Geoffrey Lau Chun-yue identified a new drug candidate, D4, that selectively blocks connexin hemichannels to suppress neuroinflammation and curbs TLE seizures in a mouse model. The findings suggest a promising new treatment strategy for epilepsy.
Scientists at KAUST have identified dynamic regions, called cryptic binding sites, that can be targeted by drugs to treat cancer. The study reveals how molecular motion influences ligand binding to BTB domains, a critical part of many proteins involved in disease.
A comprehensive database, CoviRx, has been developed to repurpose drugs against mutated SARS-CoV-2 viruses. The platform allows scientists to narrow their search from 7,817 potential candidates to a 'top 200', with 12 tested and showing promise for further investigation.
Opaganib, an oral small molecule pill, shows potential as a nuclear radiation injury therapeutic for homeland security medical countermeasures and antitumor radiotherapy. The compound protects normal tissue from radiation damage and improves antitumor activity and response to chemoradiation.
The West Texas Pharmacology Core laboratory at TTUHSC will focus on two primary areas: drug development and pediatric cancer. The core aims to address obstacles in drug development, including limited pharmacology expertise for small biotech companies and low profitability for pediatric cancer drugs.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have identified a promising drug candidate, TYK2 inhibitor, for preventing type 1 diabetes. The study found that inhibiting TYK2 expression reduces the destruction of pancreatic beta cells, but may also reduce beta cell production in earlier stages.
Researchers have designed a potential therapeutic that dampens the activity of regulatory T cells, which can prevent the immune system from unleashing its full potential against tumor cells. The molecule, known as FOX3P, acts as a transcription factor for many Treg genes but isn't vital for other types of T cells.
A comprehensive study reveals SARS-CoV-2 viral-to-human protein interaction network, showing how the virus hijacks human proteins. Researchers identified 23 candidate drugs, including an FDA-approved beta-blocker that shows promise in inhibiting viral infection.
Scientists are conducting a first-of-its-kind study to investigate the origin of psychedelic compounds in fungi, including psilocybin found in 'magic mushrooms'. The research aims to understand the evolution of these compounds and their potential applications in medicine and conservation.
Researchers found that metformin targeted 30 genes associated with atrial fibrillation, showing direct effects on gene expression for eight. The study suggests metformin may be a promising candidate for treating atrial fibrillation due to its potential to reduce the risk of complications such as stroke and heart failure.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
Researchers developed an AI-based screening method that models drug and target protein interactions using natural language processing techniques. The technique achieved high accuracy in identifying promising drug candidates, which can accelerate the exploration of new medicines and repurpose existing ones.
Researchers found that mTOR inhibition is crucial for p53-mediated tumor suppression, delaying cancer and increasing lifespan. In the absence of mTOR inhibition, cancer-promoting senescent cells drive tumor growth.
A new oral drug candidate, JSF-2659, has been developed to eradicate the bacteria causing gonorrhea. It works by simultaneously targeting two molecular targets, making it effective against resistant strains and reducing the risk of drug resistance.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a potential curative treatment for neuroblastoma, using DHODH blockers in combination with chemotherapy to cure mice with the disease. The treatment has shown promising results and could improve survival rates for children with neuroblastoma.
Researchers have identified three natural compounds that bind to a key enzyme in the coronavirus, potentially blocking its replication. Hydroxyethylphenol, hydroxybenzaldehyde, and methyldihydroxybenzoate showed reduced activity against the papain-like protease enzyme, with effects ranging from 50-70%.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed a series of chemical-based compounds that could be potential drug candidates for treating pulmonary tuberculosis. The compounds were licensed by US-based Neuro-Horizon Pharma LLC for commercialization.
Researchers identified CUDC907 as a dual phosphoinositide-3 kinase/histone deacetylase inhibitor that promotes apoptosis in NF2 schwannoma cells. The compound reduced viability and induced cell cycle arrest in human merlin deficient Schwann cell models.
Researchers used chemoproteomics to profile 53 HDAC drugs and found many had additional targets beyond their intended HDACs. The study identified MBLAC2 as a common off-target protein that affects extracellular vesicle accumulation.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have successfully repurposed a cancer drug to target neuroinflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis. A novel drug carrier was developed to deliver the treatment specifically to microglia, reducing inflammation and disease progression.
The NIAID has awarded $577 million to establish nine Antiviral Drug Discovery Centers to develop candidate COVID-19 antivirals. The centers will conduct innovative research to identify novel viral targets and develop small molecules and biotherapeutics to block viral targets.
Researchers developed a droplet-based microfluidic technology to produce micro-organospheres from cancer patient biopsies within an hour. These miniature tumors retain the original microenvironment and can be used for testing many drug conditions, showing almost perfect correlation with actual clinical treatment outcomes.
Researchers developed a deep learning-based model to predict drug-drug interactions using gene expression data. The DeSIDE-DDI model can identify potentially dangerous pairs and act as a drug safety monitoring system, helping establish the correct usage of drugs in the development phase.
Key signalling pathways blocking by existing drug candidates limit CCHF virus reproduction. The findings offer hope for patients affected by this deadly disease, which has a high mortality rate in humans.
Researchers investigated the structure‒tissue exposure/selectivity relationship (STR) in correlation with observed clinical efficacy/toxicity using seven selective estrogen receptor modulators. The results showed that tissue exposure/selectivity of SERMs was correlated with clinical efficacy/safety, while plasma exposure was not.
Current drug optimization prioritizes potency/specificity over tissue exposure/selectivity, leading to clinical failures. A new approach, STAR, classifies drugs based on potency/selectivity, tissue exposure/selectivity, and required dose to achieve clinical efficacy/toxicity balance.
Scientists at the University of Bath have developed a new technique called Transcription Block Survival (TBS) to accelerate the discovery of cancer-fighting drugs. TBS identifies molecules that can shut down dangerous proteins before they wreak havoc, by blocking their interaction with cell DNA.
Researchers have developed a method to chart the first-ever map of allosteric sites in two common human proteins, revealing they are abundant and identifiable. This could lead to safer, smarter, and more effective medicines by targeting these 'secret doors'.
A new deep learning-based model called Highlights on Target Sequences (HoTS) predicts binding between drugs and target molecules, providing interpretable results. The model can predict target proteins' binding regions and interactions with drugs without a 3D complex.
Researchers have identified formononetin as a potential therapeutic for treating food allergies, which affect nearly 10% of the world population. The plant compound has been shown to decrease IgE production and influence gene and protein targets regulated in food allergy and mast cell diseases.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has published new consensus recommendations to improve the safety and efficiency of research studies involving investigational drugs. The recommendations focus on seven areas, including pharmacy workflows and collaboration with sponsors.
Researchers from CCDC, Exscientia, and Oxford University have developed an automated method for informing the design of compound selectivity across protein families. The 'Hotspot API' uses ensemble hotspot maps to quantify the propensity for compounds to exploit interactions in preferred binding sites.
Codiak BioSciences' exoASO-STAT6 demonstrates potent anti-tumor efficacy by reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages to an M1 phenotype, showing promise as a monotherapy candidate for hepatocellular carcinomas and other cancers. The company plans to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials in the first half of 2022.
A recent review highlights the potential of structural proteomics in understanding pathological processes and predicting drug candidates for neurodegenerative diseases. The field combines protein chemistry and mass spectrometry to determine protein structure and interactions, which can lead to breakthroughs in treating serious health c...
A new study reveals that the Omicron variant is sensitive to inhibition by the interferon response, an unspecific immune reaction present in all body cells. This provides the first explanation for why COVID-19 patients infected with Omicron are less likely to experience severe disease.
A research team has found a new dual benefit mode of action for the drug candidate Zapnometinib or ATR-002, which can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 virus proliferation and reduce exaggerated immune responses.
An AI-driven solution identifies sites on RNA and DNA molecules where interaction with potential drug candidates can occur. This allows pharmaceutical companies to discover new medications in a more focused and efficient manner.
A new drug developed to target lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis has started its first human trial at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. The drug, AWZ1066S, targets Wolbachia, a bacterial symbiont essential for worm survival, offering a novel approach to eliminate these debilitating diseases.
Researchers developed a dish-based model that replicates the characteristics of dry age-related macular degeneration, allowing them to screen over 1,200 drugs for their ability to slow or halt disease progression. Two drugs, Aminocaproic acid and L745, showed promise in inhibiting key phenotypes associated with AMD.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have created a process that increases the chances of finding effective drugs in a fraction of the time and at significantly less expense than current methods. V-SYNTHES, a virtual method developed by Vsevolod Katritch and colleagues, uses synthons to efficiently puzzle t...
Researchers at the University of Bath have optimised a peptide that prevents alpha-synuclein misfolding, a key feature of Parkinson's disease. The new molecule, 4654W(N6A), has shown significant promise in lab experiments and could lead to the development of a disease-modifying treatment.
A new study has identified a promising drug candidate to minimize uncontrolled muscle movements associated with Parkinson’s disease. PD13R reduced dyskinesia by more than 85% in animal studies, also improving sleep quality compared to other treatments.
Researchers at Duke University have identified chemical compounds that can latch onto the coronavirus's 3D RNA structures and block replication. The compounds, which target the virus's RNA specifically, offer a new mechanism of action against COVID-19.
Cleveland Clinic researchers found that verubecestat, an Alzheimer's disease treatment, reduces glioblastoma progression by reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages into tumor-suppressing macrophages. This transformation leads to increased phagocytosis of tumor cells and reduced tumor growth.
A University of South Florida Health-led team discovered a lead candidate that selectively relaxes airway smooth muscle cells with no detectable drug desensitization. The biased beta-agonist, C1-S, offers a therapeutic option for asthma and obstructive lung diseases without the rapid loss of effectiveness seen with traditional β-agonists.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has been awarded a $6.5M grant to develop a treatment for alcoholic liver disease-associated kidney dysfunction. The Institute of Human Virology and MitoPower will conduct clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of MP-04, a lead compound in treating HRS.
Paxlovid demonstrates significant efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 virus, reducing hospitalization and death risks in adult patients by up to 89%. The treatment's development involved cutting-edge X-ray technology from the Advanced Photon Source.
Researchers developed a new online portal, DINC-COVID, to speed up the identification of potential pandemic treatments. The platform incorporates models of three drug targets and uses ensemble docking to score ligands' success in binding.
Researchers at Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica have isolated and characterized seven novel dimeric sesquiterpenoids with potent antimalarial activities. The most potent compound, Shizukaol A, exhibits an EC50 value 1000-fold more active than artemisinin.
A commonly used diuretic pill may help treat Alzheimer's disease in individuals with the apolipoprotein E gene APOE4. Researchers analyzed data from brain tissue samples and found that those taking bumetanide had a significantly lower prevalence of Alzheimer's disease compared to those not taking the drug.
Researchers have identified a molecule that slows cells' production of alpha-synuclein, a protein forming toxic aggregates in Parkinson's brains. The compound, A-443654, also reduces cell stress and may help degrade existing alpha-synuclein aggregates.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute elucidated the molecular mechanism of Molnupiravir, an antiviral agent that reduces Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus transmission. By incorporating RNA-like building blocks into the virus genome, Molnupiravir prevents further replication and transmission.
Researchers created a new open-access database to speed up the repurposing of old drugs as new treatments for various conditions. The NICEdrug.ch database includes information on 250,000 potential drug molecules and shows promising results in predicting drug behavior.
Researchers at UIC are developing a potential COVID-19 treatment using VT-109, which has shown promise in animal models by restoring lung function and reducing inflammation. The new funding will be used to conduct pre-clinical studies to determine efficacy, toxicity, and dosages before human trials.
Researchers discovered that a protein called VDAC2 plays a key role in regulating calcium signaling within heart cells, which can help prevent chronic heart failure. Targeting this protein with drugs or therapeutic treatments may eventually alleviate heart failure.
A drug candidate developed from a molecule in the venom of the Fraser Island funnel web spider can prevent damage caused by a heart attack and extend donor heart life for organ transplants. The treatment blocks a death signal sent from the heart after an attack, reducing cell death and improving survival.
Researchers from Skoltech and their colleagues discovered promising compounds among pest control chemicals that inhibit the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, a key component in connective tissue. These compounds show potential as anti-fibrotic drugs for treating liver fibrosis.
A study at ECCMID identifies existing drugs that could be repurposed to treat gonorrhoea by targeting efflux pumps, which remove toxic compounds from bacterial cells. The research found 57 potential drug candidates, including dequalinium and doxorubicin, which may serve as lead compounds for new gonorrhea treatments.
The FDA's approval of aducanumab for Alzheimer's disease treatment has sparked ethical issues, with billions of dollars in Medicare resources at risk. Physicians face difficult choices between facilitating unjust access to the drug or denying it to desperate patients and families.