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Background
Target engagement quantification is crucial in drug discovery for understanding drug-protein interactions, mechanisms of action, and resistance. Traditional methods like activity-based protein profiling with gel fluorescence, while effective, are limited by low throughput, long processing times, and disruption of native protein functions....
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Background
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are pivotal in cell signaling and represent a major target class for drug development. Among them, cannabinoid receptors, especially CB2, play a crucial role in regulating neuroinflammation and immune responses. Current therapeutic options inadequately modulate CB2 activity, limiting effective treatment...
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Novel lipid-amino acid prodrug platform enhances delivery of nucleoside phosphonate antivirals for SARS-CoV-2 treatment.
Conjugates amino acid promoieties to antiviral compounds to improve solubility, permeability, metabolic activation, and tissue targeting.
Evaluated using an immunosuppressed Syrian hamster model that closely reflects severe...
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Novel ASO therapeutic targeting CCDC146, a newly identified driver of motor neuron degeneration in ALS
Demonstrated efficacy across both sporadic and familial ALS models, supporting broad patient applicability
Improves motor function, neuronal survival, and lifespan in preclinical ALS models
Abstract
USC researchers have developed a targeted antisense...
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Novel small-molecule Piezo1 agonists with high selectivity, strong metabolic stability, and minimal CYP450 interactions
Enhances cerebrospinal fluid and lymphatic drainage through activation of Akt and eNOS signaling pathways
Demonstrated reduction of ventricular fluid accumulation in hydrocephalus animal models, supporting therapeutic potential for...
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Background
Advancements in gene editing have revolutionized biomedical research and therapeutic development, yet current methods lack precise, non-invasive control over gene expression in living organisms. Conventional gene modulation approaches, including chemical inducers and viral vectors, often result in systemic effects, off-target activity, and...
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Background
A key barrier to CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors is the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, where cytokines like TGF-β inhibit T cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, and persistence. TGF-β suppresses immune responses by activating Smad-dependent signaling pathways, leading to T cell anergy and exhaustion. Traditional approaches...
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Background
Cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) are a primary driver of tumor relapse, metastasis, and resistance to immunotherapy, particularly in solid tumors. Mechanical softness within the tumor microenvironment promotes immune evasion, yet current CAR-T strategies lack effective approaches to identify and eliminate these mechanically resistant cell...
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Market Opportunity
Structure-based virtual ligand screening is emerging as a key paradigm for early drug discovery owing to the availability of high-resolution target structures and ultra-large libraries of virtual compounds. However, to keep pace with the explosive growth of virtual chemical libraries, new approaches to compound screening are needed.
USC...
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Improves the efficacy of current immunotherapies by individually targeting T cell receptors proteins
Creates a therapy that boasts a higher chance of survival compared to the standard of care for acute myeloid leukemia
Abstract
USC researchers created genetically engineered exosomes (SMART-Exos) that display two distinct monoclonal antibodies targeting...
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