Nerandomilast (BI 1015550) is Boehringer Ingelheim’s PDE4B inhibitor with demonstrated clinical potential in treating IPF.

NT-0796 is NodThera's pro-drug inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome. NT-0796 is currently in a Ph. Ib/IIa trial in obese individuals at risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. NT-0796 has the potential to reduce neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s disease. The NLRP3 inflammasome has emerged as a hot target due to its connection to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, gout, and other diseases. Here is a detailed review of the role of NLRP3 inhibition in treating atherosclerosis, how NT-0796 was identified, and what makes it special, clinical development, and more.

Pfizer has announced the FDA-approval of zavegepant ( ZAVZPRET TM , BHV-3500) for the treatment of acute migraine in adults based on positive Ph. II/III results. As the first and only calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist nasal spray [...]

Bexotegrast is a dual-selective αvβ6-αvβ1 integrin inhibitor with surprising efficacy and safety data from a Ph. II trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The αv integrins have been studied for decades in indications such as cancer and IPF. Both small molecule and antibody-based integrin inhibitors have demonstrated preclinical toxicities in non-human primates. This article highlights the unmet need for effective therapies for IPF and related conditions, a comparison of bexotegrast with other integrin binders, and possible reasons why bexotegrast is different in terms of safety.

Genentech announced that fenebrutinib (GDC-0853), a non-covalent BTK inhibitor entering Ph. III, showed significant human CNS exposure and reduced new brain lesions in Ph. II for relapsing multiple sclerosis. Fenebrutinib is the only reversible BTK inhibitor in Ph. III for MS, and has the opportunity to differentiate on safety relative to covalent inhibitors. This case study highlights notable challenges overcome in the discovery of fenebrutinib including surprising metabolism, animal-specific on-target toxicity, and more.