University of Leicester

Zigakibart, an investigational anti-APRIL monoclonal antibody, demonstrated sustained efficacy with 60% proteinuria reduction from baseline at 100 weeks in IgA nephropathy patients.

Rejuvenate Biomed has dosed the first subject in a randomized Phase II trial evaluating RJx-01 for muscle weakness and sarcopenia in COPD patients, addressing a condition with no currently approved treatments.

• UK researchers have demonstrated for the first time that PARP inhibitor niraparib can slow the progression of mesothelioma, reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 27% in patients who exhausted traditional treatments. • The NERO trial, conducted across 11 UK hospitals with 88 patients, showed the drug delayed cancer worsening by an average of 1.5 months compared to standard care, with some patients experiencing significantly longer disease control. • This breakthrough offers new hope for mesothelioma patients, an aggressive asbestos-linked cancer with only 5% five-year survival rate, and opens pathways for further research into tailored PARP inhibitor treatments.

University of Leicester researchers conducted the first genome-wide study revealing genetic variations affect varenicline's effectiveness in smoking cessation, offering new insights into personalized treatment approaches.

• Rejuvenate Biomed, University of Leicester, NIHR Leicester BRC, and Wellcome Leap have partnered to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating RJx-01 for COPD-related sarcopenia, with patient enrollment expected to begin in the first half of 2025. • The double-blind placebo-controlled trial will assess RJx-01's safety and efficacy in 130 older individuals hospitalized with severe acute COPD exacerbations, focusing on maintaining muscle integrity and improving physical function. • RJx-01 previously demonstrated promising results in a Phase 1b trial, showing meaningful improvements in muscle strength, function, and fatigue resistance in people with disuse-induced muscle weakness.