Articles tagged with Drug Discovery
The Human Exposome Moonshot initiative aims to map the physical, chemical, biological and psychosocial exposures driving 80% of chronic diseases. The exposome project integrates advanced technologies to create a comprehensive understanding of environmental influences on health.
The Phase IIa trial of Rentosertib showed encouraging clinical data, with patients receiving the treatment experiencing significant improvements in lung function compared to placebo. The study also validated the biological mechanism of TNIK inhibition using exploratory biomarkers analyses.
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.
A new study suggests that a drug used to prevent alcohol abuse can also interrupt runaway cell death and inflammation triggered by severe trauma, particularly in female mice. The findings may lead to therapies that could shorten hospital stays and improve survival rates if administered promptly after traumatic injuries.
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.
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.
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.
A team of researchers has discovered a small molecule that can selectively block cell death, which could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative conditions. By targeting the killer protein BAX, the molecule can prevent excessive cell death in neurons, potentially slowing or halting disease progression.
The Human Exposome is a global scientific effort to understand the environmental factors that underpin disease and health. The Exposome Moonshot Forum aims to chart this exposome, providing usable metrics and data points for targeted public health interventions.
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.
Insilico Medicine will present detailed Phase IIa data on rentosertib, a novel TNIK inhibitor developed using generative AI, for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The company has previously demonstrated encouraging results from its Phase IIa study, showing favorable safety and tolerability across all dose levels.
The Psychedelics journal has expanded its focus to include all psychoactive drugs, challenging traditional classifications and embracing a broader understanding of consciousness-altering substances. This move aims to reveal novel therapeutic applications and deepen human knowledge of the mind.
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.
Andrew Yang will study proteins crossing the blood-brain barrier and their role in brain health, seeking new therapies for neurological diseases. The 2025 Searle Scholar's research could lead to a better understanding of age-related disorders.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a novel FRESH bioprinting technique that enables the creation of microphysiologic systems entirely out of collagen, cells, and other proteins. This advancement expands the capabilities of studying disease and building tissues for therapy, such as Type 1 diabetes.
A UT Health San Antonio-led discovery could redefine drug discovery by turning IV medications into orally administered treatments for brain cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and other complex conditions. The new strategy uses a protein receptor called CD36 to efficiently deliver large molecules into cells.
Insilico Medicine's Pharma.AI Day 2025 will showcase the latest AI breakthroughs and updates, including precision target discovery engine PandaOmics and generative biologics platform Generative Biologics. The company aims to accelerate drug discovery and advance life sciences research with its proprietary platform.
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.
Insilico Medicine is a pioneer in generative AI-driven healthcare, showcasing its Pharma.AI platform and pipeline portfolio featuring IND clearance molecules. The company will share insights at Abu Dhabi Global Health Week panel discussions, focusing on longevity and precision health.
A new USC-led study using fMRI reveals the neural mechanisms that contribute to urinary incontinence in stroke survivors. The research found significant differences in brain activity during voluntary versus involuntary bladder contractions, presenting potential pathways for targeted therapies.
Researchers created a promising approach that augments LLMs with graph-based models to generate molecules with desired properties. The method generates molecules with better matching user specifications and valid synthesis plans, outperforming existing LLM-based approaches.
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research has announced support for five research teams developing new cancer drugs with improved efficacy and reduced side effects. The funded projects will focus on harnessing new insights about cancer biology to stop cancer from spreading and overcome treatment resistance.
Engineers at University of Bristol spin-out company Impulsonics have created a technology that can move cells using acoustic waves, enabling critical lab tasks to be carried out on a benchtop device. This innovation has the potential to accelerate drug discovery and unlock personalized medicine screening in clinics.
Researchers discovered a mechanism that harnesses immune cells to produce opioids, potentially alleviating chronic pain. Estrogen and progesterone drive this process, which could lead to more effective treatments for women experiencing pain after menopause.
The Mount Sinai Hospital has launched an AI Small Molecule Drug Discovery Center to revolutionize the creation of life-saving medicines. The center will use cutting-edge AI to design and optimize novel therapeutics with unprecedented speed and precision.
Researchers created a thromboinflammation-on-a-chip model that can sustain blood clots for several months and track treatment options. This model reveals critical information on clot resolution and suggests new drug combinations to protect endothelial function in patients with sickle cell disease.
A University of Iowa-led study has revealed the unexpected structure adopted by the DNA repair protein RAD52 as it binds and protects replicating DNA in dividing cells. This understanding may help researchers develop new anti-cancer drugs targeting RAD52.
Researchers developed new AI models, InstaNovo and InstaNovo+, to vastly improve accuracy and discovery in protein science. These models excel in tasks such as de novo peptide sequencing, identifying microorganisms, and discovering novel peptides, with implications for personalized medicine, cancer immunology, and beyond.
Researchers have identified new gateways for drugs to modulate proteins regulating cellular activity. These discoveries may facilitate the creation of new medications or improve existing ones, leading to more targeted therapies and reduced side effects.
Researchers at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy have identified a potential therapeutic target to repair injured muscles. They discovered that fibroblast growth factor–inducible 14 (Fn14) plays a crucial role in regulating satellite cell stability and function, which are responsible for muscle growth, repair, and regenerat...
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago developed a powerful new antibiotic, Lariocidin, which targets ribosomes to prevent bacterial protein production. Its unique structure allows it to evade common bacterial defenses and transporters, making it a promising candidate for treating deadly infections.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed an engineered yeast that can produce record-high yields of D-lactic acid from methanol, a key compound used in biodegradable plastics and pharmaceuticals. The optimized yeast strain achieves a 1.5-fold boost in production compared to other methanol-based methods.
Researchers isolated three potent anti-HIV compounds from Daphne pseudomezereum, with EC₅₀ values around 1 nM and IC50 > 5 μM. The findings suggest a promising approach to developing novel drugs with superior anti-HIV activity.
A recent study identifies 11 natural compounds that can inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, including caffeine, which exhibits high binding stability and excellent solubility. The discovery highlights the potential of natural products in combating COVID-19 and demonstrates the versatility of widely known compounds like caffeine.
The Alliance for Genomic Discovery has completed sequencing 250,000 whole genomes, providing a comprehensive clinical genomic dataset. This data is being leveraged to accelerate drug target discovery and therapeutic research.
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.
The study found that tunneling nanotube-like structures connect cells in the heart, enabling long-distance intercellular communication essential for heart formation. Disruption of these structures resulted in impaired ventricular wall morphogenesis and defective myocardial growth.
Researchers from IOCB Prague have developed a compound that could treat alopecia areata by targeting the immune system. The substance, a series of prodrugs based on derivatives of itaconic acid, has shown efficacy in mice tests and may be administered orally.
Insilico Medicine has secured a $110 million Series E financing to accelerate the advancement of its AI-driven drug discovery pipeline and platform developments. The funds will focus on refining AI models and algorithms, as well as advancing clinical validation of its flagship candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment.
Dr. Ronald Newbold has been appointed as the permanent CEO of Empire Discovery Institute (EDI), a non-profit drug discovery and development accelerator. With over 30 years of business development experience, Dr. Newbold will lead EDI's growth and expansion, including the addition of new programs and partnerships.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys discovered novel fragments of future drugs that selectively inhibit the enzyme VHR, which plays a role in controlling the immune system's response to danger. The findings may lead to the development of new therapies for sepsis and septic shock.
A new study reports that Raman spectroscopy, a noninvasive technique, can distinguish between abnormal FCD type II tissue and healthy brain cells with remarkable accuracy. This method could provide real-time guidance for surgeons to more accurately identify and remove affected tissue during surgery.
Rentosertib, a breakthrough drug candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), has been granted an official generic name by the USAN Council. The drug's development was accelerated using generative AI, identifying TNIK as a promising target and designing small-molecule compounds in just 18 months.
The Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) initiative offers funding of up to $6M for research community members to develop sustainable tools for Parkinson’s disease research. The funding supports the development of preclinical models, detection reagents, and modulation agents to accelerate therapeutic research.
Insilico Medicine has deployed the first bipedal humanoid AI scientist, Supervisor, to aid in data acquisition and generation for training embodied AI systems. The humanoid will assist with lab tours, telepresence, tracking, and supervision, bridging the gap between human-free fully-autonomous robotics facilities.
Researchers have developed a palladium-mediated reaction to precisely modify peptides and proteins, overcoming challenges in bioconjugation. The method targets dehydroalanine-containing peptides and proteins, enabling efficient synthesis of structurally unique peptides.
A new study discovered rare gene variants in Asian Indian people that increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, providing a window into targeted treatment. The findings suggest that these variants can be used to create personalized medications that target specific proteins or pathways.
Researchers from NUS have pioneered a new catalytic transformation that converts epoxides into fluorinated oxetanes, a coveted class of drug molecules. The discovery potentially opens the door to new medicines and offers a reliable route to incorporate these motifs into the design of novel small-molecule therapeutics.
The collaboration aims to accelerate antibody discovery and development using Harbour BioMed's technology platform and Insilico's AI expertise. The companies will develop next-generation AI-powered antibodies for immunology, oncology, and neuroscience, aiming to deliver innovative therapies with enhanced specificity, efficacy, and safety.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover SSRIs like Prozac regulate immune response, preventing sepsis in mice. The findings suggest a potential new use for the popular drug, which could lead to life-saving treatments and enhanced global preparedness for pandemics.
Donald Patrick McDonnell, a professor at Duke University School of Medicine, has been awarded the Endocrine Society's John D. Baxter Prize for his research on hormone therapies for treating breast and prostate cancers. His work led to the discovery of novel treatments for these cancers and has improved patient care.
PairMap overcomes limitations of traditional methods by introducing intermediate compounds to predict binding affinities with high accuracy. The approach minimizes calculation errors, improves convergence, and reduces computational costs for complex transformations.
ApoB100 protein structure revealed for the first time, allowing for more precise testing and treatment of high cholesterol and heart disease. The discovery may lead to new drugs targeting LDL particles, reducing side effects of statin drugs.
Researchers created a new biologic compound using protein engineering to maximize therapeutic effects while reducing toxicity. The modified enzyme effectively destroyed leukemia cells in mice without common side effects, shrinking tumors in additional cancer models.
A new method of testing the metabolic effects of thousands of active substances at the same time has been developed by researchers at the University of Basel, providing valuable insights into the modes of action of known medications. The study reveals previously unknown mechanisms and potential side effects.
Researchers at SickKids have identified the KCNB2 gene as a key target for treating medulloblastoma. Targeting this gene can enhance current cancer treatments and tackle tumour growth without impacting surrounding healthy cells.
Critical Path Institute's Translational Therapeutics Accelerator (TRxA) is launching its 2025 global Request for Proposals to support academic researchers in bridging the 'valley of death' in drug development. The program aims to enable the transition of innovative therapeutics from lab to patients.
The article reviews metabolomics-driven approaches for identifying therapeutic targets in drug discovery, highlighting the challenges and limitations of current methods. Emerging technologies like single-cell metabolomics, artificial intelligence, and mass spectrometry imaging are explored to enhance target discovery.
Researchers have identified a 177-gene signature common to metastasis across cancers, allowing for personalized risk assessment and potential therapies. The discovery could lead to broader treatment options, faster drug access, and improved patient outcomes.
Positive Phase 1 trial results suggest ISM5411's gut-restrictive property and favorable pharmacokinetic profile, validating its potential for treating inflammatory bowel disease. Insilico Medicine expects to initiate a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in active ulcerative colitis patients.