The ACS Fall 2024 meeting in Denver featured the highly anticipated First Time Disclosures session, organized by the MEDI Division, revealing 13 novel small molecules currently undergoing clinical development. The session, attended by over 400 participants both in person and virtually, highlighted innovations ranging from antimalarials to protein degradation modulators.
Novartis' IWY357: A Novel Antimalarial
Novartis presented IWY357, a pentafluorosulfanyl-containing antimalarial compound. The molecule represents a novel approach to combating malaria, a disease with significant global health burden. The inclusion of pentafluorosulfanyl is noteworthy due to its potential to enhance metabolic stability and bioavailability, key factors in drug development. Further details on the specific clinical trial phase, dosing, and efficacy data were not disclosed in the initial presentation but are eagerly awaited by the malaria research community.
Vividion's KEAP1 Activator: Targeting NRF2 Degradation
Vividion unveiled a covalent activator of KEAP1, designed to target NRF2 degradation. This innovative approach aims to modulate the KEAP1-NRF2 pathway, which plays a crucial role in cellular defense against oxidative stress and inflammation. By covalently binding to and activating KEAP1, the molecule promotes the degradation of NRF2, potentially offering therapeutic benefits in diseases characterized by excessive NRF2 activity. The specific indications being targeted by Vividion with this molecule were not detailed, but the approach holds promise for various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
The First Time Disclosures session at the ACS Fall 2024 meeting provided a valuable glimpse into the early-stage clinical pipeline, showcasing the diversity and innovation driving pharmaceutical research and development. The disclosed molecules represent potential advancements in various therapeutic areas, and the scientific community awaits further data on their clinical efficacy and safety.
