Taurine aging biomarker story gets more complicated
A publication based on longitudinal and cross sectional data and led by researchers at the U.S. NIH’s National Institute on Aging published on June 5, 2025, in Science has stated that the impact of taurine supplementation at delaying aging or treating aging-related conditions is context-dependent, and that the circulating levels of taurine are impacted by factors unique to each individual rather than declining with age. To qualify taurine as a true marker of aging, it should change with age across diverse populations over time and ideally supported by longitudinal data.

Taurine aging biomarker story gets more complicated
A publication based on longitudinal and cross sectional data and led by researchers at the U.S. NIH’s National Institute on Aging published on June 5, 2025, in Science has stated that the impact of taurine supplementation at delaying aging or treating aging-related conditions is context-dependent, and that the circulating levels of taurine are impacted by factors unique to each individual rather than declining with age. To qualify taurine as a true marker of aging, it should change with age across diverse populations over time and ideally supported by longitudinal data.
Signify Bio’s $15M round advances in situ protein therapeutics
Turning the human body into a biofactory of precision protein therapeutics is the focus of newly launched Signify Bio, which emerged with an oversubscribed $15 million initial financing to advance three platforms with broad potential across therapeutic areas.
Casma nominates TRPML1 agonist as development candidate
Casma Therapeutics Inc. has nominated its first development candidate, CSM-101, a first-in-class TRPML1 agonist. CSM-101 is being developed for the treatment of Gaucher’s disease patients with Parkinson’s disease, with the potential to expand into GBA-associated Parkinson’s disease and broader Parkinson’s disease populations.
Aqilion reports results for TAK1 program in skin inflammation studies
Aqilion AB has released promising results from new studies with molecules from the company’s lead series within the TAK1 program, demonstrating a strong disease-modifying effect in a well-established model of skin inflammation.
Holiday notice
In accordance with the publishing schedule, BioWorld Science will not be published on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Chinese researchers disclose a selective, non-irritant TRPA1 agonist for pain relief
Using agonists to desensitize the homotetrameric transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel is a validated strategy for pain relief.
Immunoprecise Antibodies discovers highly conserved epitope across all four dengue virus serotypes
Immunoprecise Antibodies Ltd. has discovered a highly conserved epitope across all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4) using its proprietary Lensai platform powered by its Hyft technology.
Biogen patents new TYK2 inhibitors
Biogen Inc. has disclosed non-receptor tyrosine-protein kinase TYK2 inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of stroke, psoriasis, arthritis, pain, silicosis, alopecia and more.
Solvonis completes synthesis of development candidates for SVN-SDN-014 program
Solvonis Therapeutics plc has completed synthesis of development candidates for its SVN-SDN-014 program, a novel series of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline modulators.

Conferences

BH-30643 targets full spectrum of EGFR-mutant lung cancer variants
American Society of Clinical Oncology
The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not produced the same durable clinical benefits observed with next-generation targeted therapies in ALK- and ROS1-rearranged NSCLC. Given the...
THNB-3 therapeutic shows promise in LIN28-positive tumors
American Society of Clinical Oncology
LIN28 is a family of RNA-binding proteins that regulate stem cell biology and pluripotency and are involved in oncogenesis through the interaction with tumor suppressor microRNA let-7. The expression of LIN28 leads to the loss of function of let-7, leading to tumorigenesis, and has been tied to...
Calidi’s novel systemic virotherapy approach demonstrates efficacy in preclinical models
American Society of Clinical Oncology
The systemic virotherapy strategy involves not only the direct delivery of therapeutic payloads encoded by viruses to tumors, but also the modification of the tumor microenvironment, aiming to target both primary and metastatic lesions. At the ongoing American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)...
MMP-7 inhibitor exhibits antifibrotic effects in preclinical IPF
Respiratory
Preclinical findings have shown matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7) inhibition confers antifibrotic effects and thus, is a promising therapeutic strategy to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Changchun Genescience Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has presented data on the siRNA technology-based MMP-7...

Cancer

AMED funding supports Rakuten’s photoimmunotherapy for malignant epithelial tumors
Antibody
Rakuten Medical Inc.’s RM-0256 has been selected for funding by Japan’s Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).

Infection

JMX-0312 protects hamsters from adenoviral lethal infection, study demonstrates
Human adenovirus may cause severe infections in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent individuals and there is no specific approved therapy for it to date. The incidence may be about 50%-60% in immunocompromised subjects, with mortality rates around 80% in patients with disseminated infections.

Czech scientists divulge new NSP14 inhibitors
Coronavirus
Scientists at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences have synthesized nonstructural protein 14 (NSP14) (coronavirus) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of coronavirus acute respiratory syndrome.
Dual-action synthetic peptides could fight superbugs
Drug design, drug delivery and technologies
A peptide with a dual mechanism of action – it dissolves the bacterial membrane and activates the immune system – could be an effective weapon against microorganisms that have evolved ways to evade antibiotics, as superbugs do. Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) have designed...

Neurology/psychiatric

HSV-mediated gene therapy against chronic pain
Gene therapy
Chronic pain is a constant challenge to around 20% of the global population, and treatments to mitigate such pain often cause unacceptable side effects because the receptors and signaling pathways involved in pain sensing also drive necessary processes in the heart, lungs and liver. Opioid...
Gene therapy targeting Cav1.3 demonstrates benefit in primate parkinsonism
Gene therapy
Current therapeutic options for Parkinson’s disease face significant challenges.
Stress sensor inhibition ameliorates Alzheimer's pathology in mice
Biomarkers
Astrocytes are crucial for brain homeostasis and synaptic activity under healthy conditions, and are activated during neuroinflammation, neural damage and neurodegeneration, such as in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Astellas Engineered Small Molecules describes new PARP inhibitors for neuronal injury
Patents
Astellas Engineered Small Molecules US Inc. has identified poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, particularly PARP-1 (ARTD1), reported to be useful for the treatment of neuronal injury.
Caveolin-1 gene therapy preserves cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease models
Gene therapy
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by synaptic dysfunction, neuronal loss and the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, ultimately leading to cognitive decline. Despite significant research efforts, no existing treatment has...

Endocrine/metabolic

Bioage advances apelin receptor agonist program with option to Jikang’s nanobody
Bioage Labs Inc. is advancing its apelin receptor (APJ) agonist programs for obesity and other indications, and has entered into an option agreement with Jikang Therapeutics to license a novel APJ agonist nanobody.

Biomarkers

MCTP2 induces oral cancer progression and metastasis
Cancer
Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for about 2% of all cancers and 1.9% of cancer-related deaths globally. OSCC is characterized by local invasiveness and lymph node metastatic ability, making it a very malignant cancer.

FFAR4 as biomarker of glomerular injury and aging
Aging
Researchers have discovered that reduced expression of the free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4) is a biomarker of podocyte injury and aging, as well as a therapeutic target. Podocyte injury leads to progression of glomerular disease and aging, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.
Pan-cancer proteome atlas reveals new biomarkers and targets
Cancer
An international group of scientists has completed the first draft of The Pan-Cancer Proteome Atlas (TPCPA). The project is based on mass spectrometry of 22 cancer types, which has identified more than 9,000 proteins from 1,000 tumors. The results reveal which proteins allow for the classification...

Gastrointestinal

First high-potency bivalent agonist targeting mucosal 5-HT4R with enhanced safety
Several 5-HT4 receptor (5-HT4R) agonists are approved for treating chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) by stimulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. Traditional 5-HT4R agonists act systemically, causing central nervous and cardiovascular side...
New PKCθ inhibitors disclosed in Evommune patent
Patents
Evommune Inc. has divulged protein kinase PKCθ inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Identification of a deuterated TNF-α inhibitor with potential for treating ulcerative colitis
Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a key cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target.
N4 Pharma completes in vivo study of siRNA and mRNA-loaded oral Nuvec formulations
Drug design, drug delivery and technologies
N4 Pharma plc has successfully completed the first in vivo study of orally delivered Nuvec using its lead program N4 101, an orally administered anti-inflammatory treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
ASGCT 2025: Gene and cell therapies transform metabolic diseases
Conferences
Metabolic disorders such as argininosuccinic and glutaric aciduria, methylmalonic acidemia, homocystinuria or primary hyperoxaluria require specific diets to prevent the accumulation of substances that the body can’t process. Current treatments...
Kymera unveils new oral IRF5 degrader for immuno-inflammatory diseases
Immune
Kymera Therapeutics Inc. has announced a new oral IRF5 degrader program with potential to treat immuno-inflammatory diseases, such as lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

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