CATEGORIES

Can Supply Chains Turn Pandemic-Proof?

The sudden and extreme impact on supplier/distributor network in light of the pandemic, forced policymakers and pharma companies to rethink about supply chains. Has the industry rose to the challenge and mitigated those issues while also ensuring the supply chain remains resilient to future disruptions? Let's find out.

Are Boosters Another Shot In The Dark?

Omicron and newer emerging variants have been portrayed as a cause of concern globally as several low and middle-income countries have not been able to immunise their citizens due to the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines. Notably, it was in the double-vaccinated South African individuals that the Omicron variant was first discovered. The COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) had promised two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021 to a total of 92 low-and middle-income countries that are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX mechanism. But, it has managed to deliver only about 95 million doses as developed nations hoarded surplus doses of the vaccines. Approximately 75 per cent of the 4.5 billion first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that were rolled out, went to affluent countries. Can emerging variants make vaccine inequity a bigger challenge than it already is? Let's unravel.

Korea issues marketing authorisation to Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

American firm Moderna has announced that the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea (MFDS) has issued a marketing authorisation for Spikevax, Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) manufactured by Samsung Biologics, a leading global CDMO providing fully integrated end-to-end contract development and manufacturing services.

We want to work with global innovation leaders in disruptive technologies

A company's agile structure depends on creating a network of scientific advisors and venture partners to accelerate its innovations and potentials. To achieve this, venture capitalists assist healthcare and biopharmaceutical companies at all stages of development, be it company's early-stage designing, stimulating transformative technologies or nurturing business growth. Erning Cao, Investment Director at Evonik Venture Capital (Shanghai, China) shares insights on strategic venture capital investment towards innovative business models in APAC healthcare industry promoting sustainable and ethical practices in the region.

Gilead Sciences to help end HIV epidemic in APAC with $1.5 M grant

US-based Gilead Sciences has announced the recipients of its 2021 Gilead Asia Pacific (APAC) Rainbow Grant, a regional grant programme that supports community-led projects which place people living with HIV and their communities at the heart of care.

DIGITAL RESET

Nothing could have prepared the world for the unprecedented chain of events over the past two years. We prefaced 2020 and 2021 saying anything is possible, but no one saw this level of hyper volatility completely disrupting business and life as we know it. While the world is now firmly planted in a digital-format, the economic and business outlook for 2022 will remain highly fluid owing to the pandemic. Moreover, it is indeed very likely that in 2022, the majority of Asia Pacific's GDP will be coming from digital products, services, and experiences across industries, with life sciences being one of them.

CEPI funds project to develop COVID-19 vaccines for variants

Norway-based CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and Affinivax, Inc. in the US have announced a partnership to advance the development of a novel vaccine that could provide broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants, and potentially other beta coronaviruses.

2022 seeks holistic revamping of pharma regulations

With the increasing relevance of the pharmaceutical industry, worldwide, as well as domestically, developments in regulation and policy pertaining to the industry are being keenly watched. We explore the expectations of a few opportunities and challenges that are projected for this industry in the coming year.

Who Covid-19 Solidarity Trial Picks Taiwan's Medigen's Vaccine

Taiwan’s Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp (MVC) vaccine candidate, MVC-COV1901, has been recommended by an independent vaccine prioritisation advisory group to be included in the World Health Organisation (WHO) Solidarity Trial Vaccines (STv).

Vaccine Immunology — Potentially the Biggest Game Changer in Asian Healthcare

There is a common pearl of Indian wisdom that encourages parents to let their children play outside in the sun, rain, gardens and mud. The premise is that it allows children to grow closer to nature and natural elements, but it also helps them build immunity and become tough. In modern science, various medical research has reported the benefits of environmental exposure in early childhood for developing immunity.

“Uptick in public & private investors is enabling standalone companies”

Swiss biotech venture accelerator and incubator BaseLaunch was started in 2017 to help launch and grow the next generation of biotech companies. The accelerator has already financed 16 startups and most of them have raised series A funding.

“Our goal is to decouple process from the product”

Waters Corporation, a world leader in analytical technologies, has recorded sales of $1,949 million, an increase of 23 per cent for the first nine months of 2021, compared to sales of $1,579 million for the first nine months of 2020.

India launches Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission

The Prime Minister said that there are three major aspects of the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission to address the different gaps in the health sector of the country.

Reality of Universal Cancer Prevention & Cure

Oncology is the largest pharmaceutical therapeutic area, and big pharma is investing billions of dollars in search of the elusive cancer cure. With all this investment and innovation, will we ever see a universal cancer cure? Let’s find out.

Hong Kong provides $3M for Sydney health hub

A global collaboration to apply data science and artificial intelligence (AI) methods to solve intractable problems in public health has been launched simultaneously in Sydney and Hong Kong (HK).

Focusing on VIGILANCE & PREPAREDNESS

Despite advances in development of countermeasures such as diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, world travel and increased global interdependence have added layers of complexity to containing infectious diseases.

Holborn Wells, SpeedBio India JV to invest $1M for IVD manufacturing

SpeedBio is one of the leading IVD promoters in the region with a team of former executives from leading diagnostics and healthcare companies such as Siemens and CORE Diagnostics.

Cipla launches India's first pneumotach-based wireless spirometer

Cipla’s Spirofy is a result of five years of in-house research by the Integrated Product Development (IPD) team, and it aims to transform OAD diagnosis in India.

Chinese Startups Accelerate Innovative Drugs R&D For COVID-19

China-based startups Insilico Medicine and Westlake Pharma have announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop innovative small-molecule drugs for COVID-19.

Vax Cocktail Endgame Against Covid-19

The world has been under the deadly spell of the coronavirus, with multiple waves of the pandemic decimating lives and economy in a fell swoop. In a record short span of time, numerous vaccines were developed to combat COVID-19. However, the ground reality seems, as per some experts, that administering a mix of vaccines presents better outcomes. Whether this approach holds good, needs a closer look.

Taiwan allows mixing of COVID-19 vaccines for healthcare workers

NEW SUPPLY AGREEMENT IS IN ADDITION TO THE PRIOR AGREEMENT FOR 5 MILLION DOSES IN 2021.

SOARING SOUTH KOREAN MEDICAL DEVICES MARKET

The pandemic induced rise in healthcare expenditure has catalysed the growth of the medical devices market. Growing healthcare needs are significantly influencing the development of novel diagnostic and surgical tools. To meet the regional and international demand for medical devices, South Korea is taking all the necessary steps to support the country’s major market players. We shall take a closer look at the big movers and shakers of the industry.

SARS-CoV-2: A Biochemical Treatise on its Past, Present & Future

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is unprecedented but equally unprecedented is the contribution of scientists who have helped us in understanding the mechanisms by which it infects human beings and also, developing a variety of vaccines to protect the masses, in a year’s time, which can be called truly groundbreaking. This article gives an overview of the progress made by scientists around the world working round the clock in developing an understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 evolution and COVID-19 disease pathogenesis, and also makes an attempt to suggest the possible ways of coping with this pandemic if we have to co-exist with it forever!

Resisting & Adapting to Infectious Diseases to Prevent Future Pandemics

Understanding the science behind infectious disease R&D, and what interventions are being implemented to potentially prevent future pandemics caused by emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19

CEPI advances next-gen COVID-19 vax development

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), based in Norway, has announced that it has entered into a funding agreement with US-based startup Gritstone bio, Inc. to advance the development of a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19 variants.

'With an array of partners, we are tackling some of the biggest unmet needs in mental health diseases'

Revealing new answers through precise analysis of the gut microbiome, Australiabased startup Microba Life Sciences is strengthening its presence in the market by partnering with global leaders to turn its discoveries into transformative solutions for medical diagnosis and treatment. To find out more about the solutions being offered by the startup in the microbiome space, BioSpectrum Asia reached out to Dr Luke Holtham Reid, President, Microba Life Sciences, Australia, soon after the World Microbiome Day, celebrated on June 27 every year.

'For good technology investments, benefits and cost-efficiencies outweigh cost factors overtime'

Recent innovations in the industry are, demonstrably, supporting hospitals and healthcare workers in planning for safer and more efficient use of their resources, while minimising waste. Better still, these systems can even help prevent the spread of viruses in hospitals where frontline workers are at great risk. With the increasing concerns around the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, BioSpectrum Asia spoke to healthcare expert, Dirk Dumortier, Head of Business Development Smart-City and Healthcare (Asia Pacific), Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise (ALE), Singapore on prospects and gateways towards progressive healthcare system for Asia-Pacific regions. Edited excerpts;

'Digital health innovation is no longer an option, but a necessity for health systems'

The Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed), has established a formal Digital Health Committee in order to focus on core advocacy themes such as interoperability, regulatory, cybersecurity, and reimbursement. On the latter point, the committee conducted global literature review combined with field research across the Asia Pacific, consulting public and private stakeholders, healthcare practitioners, and many other medical ecosystem players. APACMed study formulated the current state of Digital Health policies in the Asia Pacific, covering Australia and India as the two archetypes, which are poised uniquely with their own set of challenges and advantages. Roberta Sarno, Digital Health Manager, APACMed, Singapore trains the spotlight on the extensive research conducted by APACMed Digital Health Committee on these policy pathways for Asia Pacific. Edited excerpts;

Korea builds brainmimicking interface to study neurological diseases

A research team and collaborators at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has revealed a newly developed hydrogel-based flexible brain-machine interface.

5G's Healthcare Implications To Watch For

From remote diagnosis, remote surgery, real-time monitoring to expanded telehealth etc. 5G represents a host of opportunities for healthcare. Let’s look at the possibilities of this technology for healthcare and how it can help bring a paradigm shift in the sector.