Researchers used machine learning to correlate information on drugs, genes, and diseases, identifying 63 drugs targeting 31 genes as potential candidates for psychiatric and neurological treatment. The approach will also be applied to search for correlations between drugs, genes, and COVID-19.
A Nature study identified 21 existing drugs that stop SARS-CoV-2 replication, including four that work synergistically with remdesivir. These compounds have potential for COVID-19 treatment and could provide affordable alternatives if the virus becomes drug-resistant.
Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have discovered a novel chemical compound that shows promise in treating core symptoms of brain disorders such as Down syndrome and autism. The new compound selectively blocks the transporter NKCC1, which is dysregulated in these conditions.
Researchers identify four promising antiviral drug candidates that block SARS-CoV-2 replication by targeting the main protease enzyme. The most effective compound, GC-376, demonstrates potent chemical and structural interactions with the viral protein, making it a potential candidate for repurposing as a COVID-19 treatment.
Scientists discovered a common molecular pathway in women who experience preterm labor and are developing new treatments using FDA-approved drugs. The research found that combined administration of nebivolol and N6022 can almost completely halt contractions, improving birth outcomes.
A NUS-led team has developed an artificial intelligence platform called IDentif.AI to rapidly identify optimal drug combination therapies for infectious diseases. The platform uses machine learning to examine billions of possible combinations and doses, resulting in unprecedented speed and accuracy in discovering new treatments.
A first-in-human study of a drug candidate targeting brain inflammation has shown promising results, supporting its further development for treating acute brain injuries. The study, conducted by a team from the University of Kentucky and other institutions, found that MW189 was safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers.
An international team of researchers has identified six potential COVID-19 treatment candidates after testing over 10,000 compounds. The targeted therapeutics were found to be effective in inhibiting the main protease enzyme of the virus.
Researchers at McGill University receive funding to develop a rapid diagnostic device for COVID-19 testing, screen approved drugs for efficacy against the virus, and study key genetic markers of immune response. The goal is to understand how coronaviruses evade human immunity and develop effective interventions to halt the pandemic.
Researchers developed a cancer-drug candidate called OxaliTEX that stops tumor growth entirely and delivers more cancer-busting power than many commonly used chemotherapy drugs. OxaliTEX has fewer toxic side effects and is more effective in overcoming resistance compared to existing platinum-based treatments like carboplatin.
Recent technical developments and restrictions on chemicals have renewed interest in natural product drug discovery. Essential oil components show promise as sources of new drugs due to their unique properties and potential therapeutic applications.
A computational study identified lansoprazole and 12 other FDA-approved drugs that reduce inflammation and may prevent preterm birth. The drugs act on biological pathways affecting the immune response, which is implicated in preterm birth. Further testing is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
Researchers found that hiring managers perceive candidates with self-absorbed or overly opinionated social media profiles as less suitable for employment. The study also discovered that content suggesting drug or alcohol use has a smaller impact on perceptions of employment suitability.
Researchers developed a comprehensive multi-Organ-on-a-Chip platform to bridge the gap in current limitations in drug development. The system enabled accurate modeling of human pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters for tested drugs, mimicking real-world human responses.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have launched a project to develop preclinical drug candidates that selectively block nociceptor activity, offering an alternative to opioid-based medications. The STOP PAIN consortium combines experimental and AI-driven approaches to address the critical public health need for new pain treatments.
Researchers created a Liver-Chip using Organs-on-Chips technology to predict liver toxicity across species. The platform accurately assesses the liver-specific effects of various drugs on liver cells from rat, dog, and human sources.
Emory researchers have secured a $15.89 million NIAID contract to test the antiviral drug EIDD-2801 in human trials. The goal is to develop a better drug against influenza, which kills an average of 20,000 people annually in the US. EIDD-2801 has shown promising results in animal models and is effective against multiple RNA-based viruses.
A recent poll shows that almost 9 in 10 Canadians support a national pharmacare plan providing equal access to medications. Most federal parties are offering major policy proposals to introduce national pharmacare, but long-term thinking is crucial to its success.
Quinacrine repurposed with cisplatin synergizes to reduce cancer growth, increasing median time to tumor volume by 12 days; enhances apoptosis and inhibits autophagy in HNSCC cells.
A new study reveals that many cancer drug candidates fail in clinical trials due to off-target effects, rather than targeting essential molecular mechanisms. This unexpected finding challenges over 180 previous reports on the importance of specific proteins for cancer cell survival.
The study demonstrated the potential of body-on-a-chip systems to transform the drug discovery process by accurately predicting cardiotoxic mechanisms and replicating in vivo results. The findings support the use of in vitro models to evaluate temporal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships.
The University of Illinois Chicago is collaborating with TB Alliance to develop new clinical-stage drug candidates for treating tuberculosis, a bacterial infection resistant to available antibiotics. The five-year research project aims to produce two new treatments, with UIC receiving up to $9 million in funding.
Boehringer Ingelheim and the University of Dundee have extended their collaboration to develop novel protein degradation medicines targeting cancer-causing proteins. The structure-based design approach has yielded a highly potent and selective drug candidate, making it freely available via Boehringer Ingelheim's open innovation portal.
Researchers discovered that aging in nematodes is partially programmed and can be therapeutically reversed by several FDA-approved drugs. The study identified 10 compounds that slow down aging, including six previously documented with anti-aging potential.
Researchers identified 10 FDA-approved drugs that can slow down aging in nematodes, with six having previously documented anti-aging potential. These compounds have the advantage of already passing clinical trials and can be used off-label as anti-aging drugs, targeting life-extending compounds.
Researchers used long-lived roundworms to identify new anti-aging compounds among FDA-approved drugs. They found that these compounds can slow down aging in nematodes and may have therapeutic potential for humans.
Researchers developed a new method to assess medicines' actions by matching them to unique protein receptors, potentially speeding up drug development. The method reduces time and labor in finding the right response to drug candidates by several orders of magnitude.
PRI-002, a new Alzheimer's drug candidate, has successfully completed Phase I clinical research, demonstrating improved cognitive performance in human trials. The compound destroys toxic oligomers without involving the immune system, offering a promising approach to treating Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed a drug candidate that can reverse mucosal barrier damage caused by HIV. The recombinant molecule rfhSP-D prevented HIV transmission and restored vaginal tissue integrity. This finding presents a promising approach to creating a safe and effective topical anti-HIV microbicide.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have created a blood test that can flag the disease, which currently lacks a standard diagnostic test. The test successfully identified participants in a study with chronic fatigue syndrome and is being used to screen for potential drugs that may help treat the condition.
Researchers have identified a common species of seaweed, Laminaria ochroleuca, as a rich source of bacteria with antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The study reveals that extracts from these Actinobacteria inhibited growth of various pathogens and showed selective anticancer activity.
Researchers at LSTM and University of Buea developed new Loa loa infection models to assess the safety of anti-filarial drugs. These models have enabled the prioritization of drug candidates for preclinical development, targeting onchocerciasis while avoiding loiasis adverse reactions.
A new drug candidate, givosiran, has shown promising results in treating acute porphyria by preventing attacks and reducing hemin need by up to 83%, according to a recent clinical trial. The study's lead author notes that the treatment can effectively prevent acute attacks in seriously afflicted patients with limited options.
Researchers have developed a novel fully synthetic and rationally designed anti-Wolbachia drug, AWZ1066S, which could potentially treat onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. The compound has shown high specificity and potency against Wolbachia, with the potential to shorten treatment times from weeks to days.
Researchers have developed a highly specific anti-Wolbachia drug candidate that could provide a safe oral treatment for worm infections in just 7 days. The new therapy has superior efficacy and favorable drug properties compared to existing options, which typically take 4-6 weeks to treat similar conditions.
Researchers explored umbelliferone-based derivatives as potent monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The compounds exhibited significant MAO-A and hMAO-B inhibitory potential, with some also showing antioxidant properties.
A new study finds that CP201, a nerve-cell-protecting snippet of ADNP protein, normalizes disrupted neural connectivity and improves vocal communication in ADNP-deficient mice. The research paves the way for a clinical trial to treat social, motor, and vocal communication impediments in ADNP syndrome patients.
A new subclass of compounds, dubbed geroneuroprotectors (GNPs), has been identified as potential AD drug candidates and slow the aging process in mice. The study suggests that these compounds could provide therapeutic benefits for Alzheimer's disease and other diseases associated with aging.
Researchers at WSU Spokane have created candidate drugs to slow down the breakdown of nicotine in the body, aiming to reduce tobacco consumption and quit smoking. The substances target liver enzyme CYP2A6, which metabolizes nicotine, potentially alleviating withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and irritability.
An artificial-intelligence approach called ReLeaSE can teach itself to design new drug molecules from scratch. The system comprises two neural networks that learn and improve over time, generating molecules with specified properties.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have identified dozens of drug candidates that share a common mechanism to repair damaged brain cells in multiple sclerosis. These new targets and potent early-stage drug candidates could lead to regenerative medicines for the debilitating disease.
A recent international agreement emphasizes the need for human-relevant research in drug discovery, citing a significant decline in successful new drug approvals. The agreement proposes standardized data sharing, consistent ontologies, and prioritization of human-based methods to revitalize the drug development process.
A Korean research team developed a deep learning-based framework, DeepDDI, to predict 86 types of drug-drug and drug-food interactions. The model accurately predicts interactions for drug-pair constituent pairs with a mean accuracy of 92.4%.
Researchers have identified mifepristone, an FDA-approved drug for chemical abortion, as a promising candidate for treating vestibular schwannoma. The study found that treatment of the tumor cells with mifepristone reduced their proliferation rate by 80 percent.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new screening method that speeds up the search for drugs using a 35 million compound DNA-encoded chemical library. The library consists of drug candidates with a stable ring-shaped basic structure and varied attachments, allowing for highly-specific binding to proteins.
Researchers have developed a new method to predict drug stability, which could lead to the creation of more effective medicines. The technique uses optical and mechanical measuring techniques to determine when and how a solid will crystallise, a process that can affect a drug's solubility in water.
McMaster University engineers have developed a printed paper-based device that speeds up and improves the accuracy of drug screening. The technology uses a printable hydrogel to filter out inaccurate results, reducing the time and cost associated with drug discovery.
Researchers are re-examining old antibiotics to find new ones, applying modern science and technology to test their potential. A compound identified in the 1940s is now being considered as a realistic contender for a new antibiotic drug, with the potential to combat certain types of bacterial infections.
Scientists at ICIQ discover a novel methodology to create carbynes using visible light and photocatalysts. They use these molecules to add chiral fragments to existing compounds, accelerating the drug discovery process.
Research identifies common molecular mechanism underlying diabetes-induced nerve damage, paving way for potential drug candidates. The study found that reactive oxygen species play a key role in the process and that pharmacological inhibition of ROS can prevent nerve damage.
Case Western Reserve University researchers have received a $2.8 million grant to identify FDA-approved medications that can be repurposed to treat Alzheimer's disease. The project aims to develop computer algorithms and test promising drug candidates using patient electronic health records and animal models.
Researchers developed a long-acting compound that targets HIV's replication, suppressing the virus and protecting immune cells. The compound works synergistically with current treatments, enhancing their potency and potentially improving treatment for 37 million people worldwide affected by HIV.
Boris Striepen has received a $1.8-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support drug development efforts against cryptosporidiosis, a disease that sickens approximately 750,000 people annually in the US. The project aims to identify and validate therapeutic targets to guide medicinal chemistry.
Compound I, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, exhibited synergistic properties and suppressed viral loads in HIV-1-infected humanized mice. The compound sustained plasma drug concentrations and effectiveness for approximately 3 weeks in mice, suggesting potential in pre-exposure treatments.
A new methodology for correlating compound identity to CYP1A2 potency of inhibitors in metabolic mixtures has been developed, providing direct identification of compounds with inhibitory properties. This approach allows for rapid assessment of pharmacokinetic properties of drugs and their metabolites, improving drug development.
The GHIT Fund has announced significant investments in new treatments for malaria, including an antimalarial drug candidate DSM265 and a diagnostic tool for detecting dormant Plasmodium vivax parasites. These breakthroughs aim to combat the growing threat of artemisinin resistance and eliminate the 'hidden reservoir' of vivax malaria.
Scientists from RUDN University have developed a new way to synthesize 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives, including the active ingredient of genetic disorder treatment drugs. The new method simplifies production while reducing costs and enabling high-yield synthesis without expensive reagents.
Researchers created micro hearts, lungs, and livers that can mimic human organ responses to medications. The 'body-on-a-chip' system aims to improve drug development by identifying toxic side effects early on.
Researchers develop computer-designed mini-proteins that bind to specific therapeutic targets with high selectivity, stability and potency. The approach has potential applications in fighting infectious diseases and neutralizing toxins.
A widely used drug screening tool has been found to be seriously flawed, incorrectly flagging many active compounds as potential PAINS. The University of North Carolina study analyzed thousands of compounds and found that majority do not exhibit interference with drug-candidate screening technology.