Sep. 2026 saw a series of licensing agreements, acquisitions and strategic investments across oncology, autoimmune, metabolic, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Multispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), oral and long-acting metabolic therapies, AI drug discovery and innovative delivery platforms were among the areas attracting attention.
Affinity and fusion tags make recombinant proteins easier to express, purify, and detect. Yet a tag can also become an experimental variable. For studies that depend on the target’s structure, activity, or molecular interactions, a tag-free final product may be preferable. This article explains what tag-free means, when tag removal is useful, how it is done, and which properties still need to be verified after purification.
Kir7.1, an inwardly rectifying potassium channel encoded by the KCNJ13 gene, is a member of the Kir channel family. In 2026, Kir7.1 research advanced rapidly in both structural biology and precision therapeutic development. Multi-state Cryo-EM structures revealed how phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂), cholesterol, and bioactive steroids modulate channel conformation; prime editing of the KCNJ13 L144P variant restored channel function; and anticodon-engineered transfer RNA (ACE-tRNA) promoted targeted readthrough of the W53X premature termination codon and improved electroretinographic responses in Leber congenital amaurosis type 16 (LCA16) mouse model [1–3]. Additional structural studies clarified the molecular basis of the R162W loss-of-function phenotype and the pore-blocking mechanism of ML418 [5,10]. Together, these advances position Kir7.1 at the intersection of retinal ion homeostasis, channel structural biology, and precision therapy.
Aquaporins (AQPs) are best known as membrane channels that transport water. As research has advanced, however, their biological significance has expanded far beyond basic water transport to include cerebral edema, autoimmunity, brain fluid clearance, and neurodegenerative diseases. Among the AQP family, aquaporin-4 (AQP4) has attracted particular attention because of its distinctive distribution and complex regulation in the central nervous system (CNS).
Global biopharma dealmaking remained active throughout July and August 2026, spanning major acquisitions, licensing agreements and platform collaborations. ADCs, autoimmune and metabolic diseases, CNS programs, RNA technologies, AI-driven drug discovery and in vivo CAR-T were among the most active areas.
Epithelial Membrane Protein 2 (EMP2) is emerging as a promising membrane protein target in cancer therapy. Recent studies have explored EMP2-targeting strategies, including siRNA delivery systems, monoclonal antibodies, and ADCs, demonstrating potential in suppressing tumor progression and modulating the tumor immune microenvironment.
DIMA Biotechnology provides in-stock biotin-labeled full-length membrane proteins prepared using Nanodisc technology. Expressed in mammalian cells to preserve native conformation and biological function, these proteins effectively support SPR/BLI binding analysis, antibody discovery, CAR-T positivity assessment, and research on challenging membrane protein targets.
June 2026 Biopharma Deal Wave: Multibillion-Dollar M&A Surges Alongside Licensing Deals for Cutting-Edge Technologies Such as T-Cell Engagers and RNA Editing. Chinese Pharmaceutical Companies Are Expanding Their Global Partnerships from Single-Asset Licensing to Multi-Target Platform Deals, While Oncology Continues to Lead and Attract Strong Global Investor Interest.
The first STEAP1-targeted therapy, Xaluritamig, has delivered promising Phase III clinical results, achieving a PSA50 response rate of 59%. Multiple therapeutic modalities，including bispecific ADCs, CAR-T cells, and trispecific T-cell engagers are advancing rapidly and demonstrating strong potential, ushering in a new era of targeted therapy for prostate cancer.
The approval of the world’s first CAR-T therapy for solid tumors not only marks a new milestone in CAR-T treatment, but also brings CLDN18.2 into the spotlight as a highly attractive target. During CAR-T development, accurately and reliably detecting CAR positivity is an important foundation for evaluating product quality and functional performance.