semapimod (AXD-455) / Ferring - LARVOL DELTA

Inhibition of the lipocalin-2-phosphatidylserine axis restores natural killer cell immune surveillance. (PubMed, Cell Rep Med) - "Structure-based drug screening identifies semapimod as an LCN2 inhibitor that blocks interaction with PS, disrupting the LCN2-PS immunosuppressive axis and inducing tumor control. Overall, this study uncovers a lipid metabolic reprogramming mechanism that mediates innate immune evasion and proposes a tumor treatment strategy through enhanced innate immune surveillance."

Journal • Metabolic Disorders • Oncology • IL15 • LCN2

The effect of macrophage inhibitors on the inflammatory response in a mouse model of heart failure. (IMMUNOLOGY 2025) - "Three groups of mice were treated with one inhibitor for each group 24 hours after MI: 35mg/kg of liposomal clodronate, 40mg/kg of macrophage migration inhibitory factor antagonist (MIF098) and 32mg/kg of semapimod tetrahydrochloride (CNI-1493). Cardiac primary cells were extracted to assess macrophage expression and polarization using flow cytometry analysis. Preliminary results show an anti-inflammatory effect of the macrophage inhibitors used, demonstrated by a reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.Keywords: Animals Rodent; Cells Monocytes/Macrophages; Molecules Cytokines; Processes Cell Trafficking Inflammation"

Preclinical • Cardiovascular • Congestive Heart Failure • Heart Failure • Inflammation • Myocardial Infarction • MIF

Discovery of antibiotics that selectively kill metabolically dormant bacteria. (PubMed, Cell Chem Biol) - "Integrating microbiological assays, biochemical measurements, and single-cell microscopy, we show that semapimod selectively disrupts and permeabilizes the bacterial outer membrane by binding lipopolysaccharide. This work illustrates the value of harnessing non-traditional screening methods and deep learning models to identify non-toxic antibacterial compounds that are effective in infection-relevant contexts."

Journal • Infectious Disease