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New class of compounds found to block coronavirus reproduction
In cell cultures, a compound named STM2457 was shown to interfere with coronavirus replication, making it a potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2.
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Drug Development
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Stem cells used to enhance immune response to HIV in primates
In non-human primates, researchers have found that mesenchymal stem cells were effective at strengthening the immune response to HIV.
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Novel vaccine against coronaviruses protects mice from infection
A new mRNA-based vaccine has demonstrated success at protecting against multiple coronaviruses in pre-clinical studies.
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Drug development in stem cell-derived liver organoid models
To ensure that new drugs are effective and have as little toxicity as possible, they first need to be tested in model systems before entering clinical trials. In this Q&A, Dr Takanori Takebe outlines his research into liver organoids derived from stem cells that can be used to test new…
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Making cell culture models more physiologically relevant
A major limitation in drug development is the occurrence of drug-candidate toxicity during clinical research. This may occur because tumour-derived cell lines are limited as a pre-clinical model – in part because of an altered metabolic poise. A recent study has revealed a profound plasticity in gene expression and metabolic poise that can…
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Covalent fragment screening in cell-based phenotypic models of disease: a collaborative approach
The application of chemical perturbation approaches in phenotypic models is often used to identify protein targets for therapeutic discovery. Increasingly, small molecule fragments which covalently bind to their protein targets are being used to explore the druggable proteome and the resulting fragment‑protein interactions are characterised by chemoproteomic techniques. In this…
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Targeting phosphodiesterase 3A: discovery of a promising cancer therapy
A new promising sarcoma target, phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A), and drugs targeting it have been identified by researchers at the University of Helsinki. Dr Katja Ivanitskiy, Dr Harri Sihto and Professor Olli Kallioniemi outline emerging evidence that indicates PDE3A protein-targeting compounds may induce sarcoma cell death by acting as a molecular…
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Screening for COVID-19 drugs
With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, new therapeutic drugs to combat SARS-CoV-2 are still required. In this article, Professor Arvind Patel from the Medical Research Council (MRC) – Centre for Virus Research (CVR) at the University of Glasgow spoke with Drug Target Review’s Victoria Rees to discuss the work being done…
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The potential of epigenomic medicine in cardiology
Advances in genomic medicine are playing an increasingly important role in the field of cardiology. Better analysis and understanding of patient genomic and epigenomic information can enable more personalised patient treatment and medical intervention. Here, Professor John Giannios considers the potential to use genomic medicine to prevent, monitor, diagnose and…
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Under the microscope: Exploring phage display technologies for drug discovery and early development
With over 20 years’ of expertise in phage display, IRBM applies its extensive peptide and antibody libraries to discover lead therapeutic candidates. Dr Licia Tomei, Director of Display Technologies, IRBM, discusses the company’s phage display capabilities and how they accelerate the drug discovery process.
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Prime Minister unveils plans to make UK scientific ‘superpower’
A National Science and Technology Council and Office for Science and Technology Strategy will be established to aid the UK's scientific industry.
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How to mix the best anti-SARS-CoV-2 cocktail
Neutralisation resistance generated by Spike (S) protein mutations in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a challenge to antibody therapies for COVID-19. Antibody cocktails targeting the S protein receptor binding domain (RBD) are one way to avoid viral neutralisation escape, however only certain antibody combinations are currently effective.…
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Radiopharmaceuticals and nanoparticles used to kill cancer cells
Researchers have developed a potential cancer treatment using light from radiopharmaceuticals and polymer nanoparticles to kill cancer cells.
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Targeted drug found to combat certain pancreatic tumours
Researchers have found that the CDK inhibitor AT7519 could be used to treat pancreatic cancer patients whose tumours are addicted to mutant KRAS.
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Drug Target Review – Issue 2 2021
This issue includes articles on novel AAV vectors to deliver ocular gene therapy, how phenotypic models of disease are being used in covalent fragment screening and the challenges and opportunities presented by automation in the life sciences. Also in this issue are features on stem cells, antibodies and hit-to-lead.