New research has revealed that structurally novel neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) inhibitors reduce depressive-like behaviour and brain inflammation in mice. For decades, scientists have investigated the NK1R as a potential target for treating major depressive disorder. Early studies suggested promise, but enthusiasm faded after clinical trials of drugs… Read More
In this webinar hosted by DDW, Curia shares its findings that protein X-ray crystallography is essential to accelerate the design process by providing a level of structural detail unmatched by computational methods. The first challenge in drug discovery is selecting a biological target and validating it as a ‘druggable’ binding… Read More
DDW’s Megan Thomas went to Cambridge, UK, to learn more about what’s happening in this life science epicentre. She spoke with several local companies and attended events. The first of this series was a conversation with Nicola Thompson, CEO of TRIMTECH Therapeutics. Here, DDW summarises what was learnt about… Read More
Scientists have unlocked new details on important ‘receptor’ proteins – promising targets for the creation of novel drugs for metabolic conditions ranging from diabetes to obesity and inflammatory disorders. The discovery – led by the University of Glasgow, Queens University Belfast and the University of… Read More
This is the latest episode of the free DDW narrated podcast, titled “The continued evidence of AI’s drug discovery value”, which covers two articles written for DDW Volume 24 – Issue 2, Spring 2023 of DDW. They are called: “How generative AI could improve drug discovery” and “Can… Read More
As 2024 draws to a close, DDW’s Multimedia Editor and podcast host Megan Thomas rounds up all the free editorial episodes of the DDW podcast that were released. You can find The Drug Discovery World Podcast on Spotify, Google Play and Apple Podcasts. DDW Highlights Innovative. Evolving. Developing. Busy. These… Read More
DDW’s Megan Thomas talks to Professor Timothy Hinks, Associate Professor in Respiratory Immunology, Nuffield Department of Medicine. MT: Can you tell us what you do and what you’re working on at the moment? TH: I’m a clinician scientist, which I think is the best job in the world. Read More
Centogene has announced data from its Rostock International Parkinson’s Disease (ROPAD) Study revealing the genetic factors and prevalence of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The findings from the study indicate that approximately 15% of PD-related cases are tied to genetic variants, with the majority being linked to LRRK2 and… Read More
PlaqueTec and the Welch research group at the Babraham Institute have announced the completion of their collaboration to evaluate lead compounds predicted to bind a pro-inflammatory protein discovered by PlaqueTec. The project was funded by the UKRI-BBSRC Campus Innovation Award (CIA), via the Babraham Research Campus Collaboration… Read More
Scientists have discovered how skin cancer cells shapeshift based on their environment – enabling them to spread through the body and cause a metastatic cancer. The discovery of two genes responsible for sensing the environment and adapting cell shape could offer potential new drug targets to… Read More
Scientists have discovered how breast cancer cells can ‘hibernate’ to avoid treatment and ‘wake up’ years later – causing a relapse that is more difficult to treat. Their research, published in the journal Cancer Discovery, reveals the role of epigenetics in controlling how cancer cells can… Read More
Ahead of protein and antibody engineering conference PEGS Europe 2023 in Lisbon, DDW’s Megan Thomas looks at what to expect from each track of the annual biologics technology meeting. On Day 2, Wednesday 15 November 2023, the tracks include: Engineering antibodies, emerging targets and therapeutic approaches, advancing bispecifics and combination… Read More
Professor Henrik Daub, Founder and CSO, NEOsphere Biotechnologies looks at the advancements taking place in proteomics and how targeted protein degradation represents a promising approach for developing new treatments for life-threatening diseases. Advancements in proteomics using mass spectrometry are helping researchers to identify novel, previously undruggable targets and… Read More
New research suggests that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) decreases an essential fatty acid, preventing the formation of a class of protective molecules and reducing repair potential – a discovery that may open new therapeutic avenues for AMD. The study shows that AMD decreases peripheral retinal docosahexaenoic… Read More
Listen to this article on the DDW Podcast: Professor Sonika Bhatnagar explores how artificial intelligence is enabling drug discovery at rates never seen before. A bullet for cure The year was 1907, and Paul Ehrlich, the German Nobel laureate had proposed the idea of… Read More
Regenerative medicines in early-stage development have seen a change in drug targets compared to therapies in late-stage development. According to analysts GlobalData, early-stage therapies are now focused on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as the top drug target, with three drugs currently in development. Surprisingly, the… Read More
