Articles by Globe Newswire

Rakovina Therapeutics Showcases Potent AI-Developed ATR Inhibitors with CNS Penetrance at AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. ("Rakovina" or the "Company") (TSXV:RKV)(FSE: 7JO0) is pleased to announce the successful presentation of new data at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held October 23–27 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Company's poster, titled "Novel ATR inhibitors with CNS penetrance developed by artificial intelligence," highlights promising results from its AI-driven kt-5000AI drug discovery program for Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein serine/threonine kinase (ATR) inhibitors for cancer therapy.Through its collaboration with Variational AI, Rakovina Therapeutics utilized the EnkiTM generative AI platform to identify novel small-molecule candidates predicted to meet a defined target product profile for CNS-penetrant ATR inhibition. Data presented at the conference confirm that multiple lead compounds achieved this profile, demonstrating potent ATR inhibition together with clear evidence of central nervous system exposure.While multiple ATR inhibitors are in development globally, none have yet demonstrated meaningful central nervous system penetration. Rakovina's kt-5000AI program is advancing next-generation, AI-designed ATR inhibitors with confirmed CNS exposure, potentially extending the benefits of ATR-targeted therapy to patients with primary brain tumors and brain metastases, where effective treatments remain limited.In cell-based assays, multiple compounds demonstrated:>50% inhibition of ATR activity below 200 nM;potency exceeding reference compounds such as ceralasertib, tuvusertib, and elimusertib;equal selectivity across the PIKK kinase family compared to reference compounds; andmetabolic stability following incubation with human liver microsomesIn in vivo pharmacokinetic studies, lead compounds demonstrated:measurable drug concentrations in both plasma and brain tissue following intraperitoneal dosing at 5 mg/kg, indicating CNS penetration; andgood tolerability after single-dose administration, supporting continued optimization and preclinical development"Presenting at ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

17 hours ago

Health

HUTCHMED Highlights HMPL-A251 Data Presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics

— First investigational drug candidate using the HUTCHMED ATTC technology platform to create potent targeted therapy payloads while mitigating related toxicities —— Unique, highly potent PI3K/PIKK inhibitor payload optimized to exploit antibody-conjugate advantages, with directed delivery and low plasma exposure of free payload — — Preclinical data shows robust antitumor activity with synergistic and bystander killing effects —HONG KONG and SHANGHAI and FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HUTCHMED (China) Limited ("HUTCHMED") (Nasdaq/AIM:HCM; HKEX:13) today announces preclinical data for HMPL-A251 at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held October 22–26, 2025, in Boston, USA. HMPL-A251 is a first-in-class PI3K/AKT/mTOR ("PAM")-HER2 Antibody-Targeted Therapy Conjugate ("ATTC") comprising of a highly selective and potent PI3K/PIKK inhibitor payload linked to a humanized anti-HER2 IgG1 antibody, via a cleavable linker.HER2 is a well-established therapeutic target. HER2 overexpression is found in a variety of cancer types and often associated with poor prognosis. As a key downstream signaling pathway of HER2, the PAM pathway contributes significantly to the resistance against HER2-targeting treatments when altered. HMPL-A251 is innovatively designed to leverage the synergy between HER2 targeting and PAM pathway inhibition to address limitations of traditional toxin-based antibody-drug conjugates ("ADCs") and standalone PAM inhibitors.In vitro, the PI3K/PIKK inhibitor payload exhibited high potency, selectivity, and broad anti-tumor activity across a panel of 130 tumor cell lines. By conjugating this potent payload with an anti-HER2 antibody via a hydrophilic linker, the ATTC compound HMPL-A251, upon binding to the HER2-positive target cells, undergoes rapid internalization, lysosomal trafficking, payload release, and inhibition of PAM and PIKK signaling, inducing tumor cell apoptosis. HMPL-A251 demonstrated HER2-dependent antitumor activity in vitro, potently inhibiting HER2-positive tumor cell growth regardless of PAM pathway alterations, with moderately reduced activity in HER2-low, PAM-altered cell lines. HMPL-A251 also demonstrated a bystander effect on HER2-null cells when co-cultured with HER2-positive cells.Unlike toxin-based ADCs, which often face challenges with toxicity related to their cytotoxic payloads, ATTCs are designed to prioritize tumor-specific delivery of a pathway-modulating payload, enhancing safety for long-term use and enabling potential frontline combinations with chemotherapy. In vivo, HMPL-A251 demonstrated superior anti-tumor efficacy and tolerability as compared to the naked antibody and payload administered together. A single intravenous dose of HMPL-A251 induced tumor regression across multiple models including HER2-positive and HER2-low models with or without PAM alteration. Efficacy correlated strongly with payload concentration and target inhibition in tumor ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

5 days ago

Business

NFI Group and GILLIG form 50/50 JV to Acquire the Assets of American Seating, Strengthening North American Seat Supply through Historic Industry Partnership

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NFI Group Inc. (TSX:NFI, OTC:NFYEF, TSX:NFI) and GILLIG LLC, today announced that the companies have formed a 50/50 joint venture that acquired the assets of American Seating Inc., a producer of seats for transit, motorcoach, and rail applications. The joint acquisition by the two U.S. heavy-duty transit bus manufacturers secures a critical component of the transit industry's supply chain and positions American Seating for operational performance recovery and long-term stability to the benefit of all customers.The asset acquisition is being completed through a joint venture, entitled GR Seating, LLC (GR Seating), which will assume ownership of American Seating's key assets including its equipment, inventory, brand, and intellectual property. Operations will continue at the existing facilities in Grand Rapids, Michigan, under the American Seating name, and the partnership with The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), and UAW Local No. 135 will be maintained. The Company will also support buses in the field through its aftermarket business and will maintain customer and supplier relationships.As 50% partners in the joint venture, each manufacturer will have representation on the joint venture's Board of Directors that will provide governance and oversight to an independent third-party management team. Neither NFI nor GILLIG will be involved in day-to-day operations.The joint venture will be working closely with the previous ownership team, including former Chairman, Ed Clark, and former President and CEO, Tom Bush, to ensure a smooth transition while also driving forward a strategy to increase throughput and improve delivery timelines to customers. The joint venture has committed to making dedicated investments in equipment and facilities to enable employees' success and support the management team's recovery plan."Today's acquisition displays NFI's commitment to strengthening the industry's supply chain and delivering for our customers," said Paul Soubry, President and Chief Executive Officer, NFI. "American Seating has ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

5 days ago

Science

smartbax announces a €4.7 M Pre-Series A round to advance novel antibiotic compound through preclinical stage

Lead antibacterial compound against a novel target in Gram-negative bacteria validated in infection modelsProgressing a platform of small-molecule enzymatic activators that induce self-digestion of bacteria as novel mode of action against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteriaFunding round led by Anobis Asset and Bayern Kapital; second closing remains openMunich, Germany, Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- smartbax, a biotech company developing next-generation antibiotics against multi-drug resistant bacteria, today announced the successful first closing of its €4.7 M Pre-Series A financing round. The round was led by new investors Anobis Asset and Bayern Kapital, with participation from UnternehmerTUM Funding for Innovators as well as existing investors HTGF – High-Tech Gründerfonds and Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF). A second closing of the round remains open to investors.smartbax will use the funds to progress its proprietary pipeline of small-molecule antibiotics designed to overcome bacterial resistance with innovative approaches and novel mechanisms of action. The lead candidate is an inhibitor that blocks a previously unexplored step in the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), key structural components of the outer membrane in Gram-negative bacteria. This new inhibitor has already demonstrated in vivo proof of concept, including activity against multi-drug resistant strains, shows potential as an orally available drug, and will now be advanced through preclinical development.In parallel, smartbax is advancing its platform of small-molecule activators of bacterial hydrolases. Rather than inhibiting bacterial functions like traditional antibiotics, these compounds stimulate hydrolase activity, causing bacteria to digest themselves from within. This innovative mode of action has not been exploited in commercial antibiotics to date and offers a promising strategy to overcome established resistance mechanisms. smartbax has identified two activator classes, effective against different targets in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, both of which display encouraging drug-like properties, are able to eliminate biofilms and show no development of resistance. The company will further develop these candidates toward lead selection and in vivo proof of concept using the current funds."Small-molecule antibiotics remain one of the most effective tools in combating the rapidly growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. smartbax is currently the only German biotech dedicated exclusively to developing these crucial tools, and we are proud to advance complementary approaches with both a classical inhibitor against a novel target and enzyme activators with a truly novel mode of action in the antibiotic realm," said Dr. Robert Macsics, CEO of smartbax. "Our programs focus on WHO priority pathogens and aim to provide new treatment options for critically ill patients who currently have limited alternatives. We are delighted to have assembled such a strong consortium of investors who share our commitment to addressing this urgent public health threat."Martin Falk, managing director at Anobis Asset, said: "Antibiotic resistance is one of the most urgent ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

5 days ago