CATEGORIES

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.

Changing face of mental health assistance in Asia

The Asian mental health industry is still relatively new, largely due to barriers like stigma and limited access to care. However, there are several startups that have made major strides in addressing those challenges and attracting investor attention. We shall take a look at a few companies that reinforce the idea that life can be challenging, and that it’s normal to sometimes seek mental health support.

“Transparent partnerships, will enable emerging biotech and biopharma companies to deliver innovative solutions”

IQVIA has announced the Japan and Asia Pacific (JAPAC) expansion of IQVIA Biotech, a tailored approach to delivering integrated clinical solutions at an accelerated pace. As stated in a recent white paper by IQVIA Biotech, the total pipeline of emerging biopharma (EBP) companies in JAPAC is equivalent to roughly two-thirds of the entire global biopharma industry pipeline.

Singapore buys sotrovimab from GSK, Vir Bio to treat COVID-19

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Singapore and Vir Biotechnology have signed an agreement with the Government of Singapore for the supply of sotrovimab, an investigational single-dose monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 who do not require oxygen supplementation and who are at risk of progressing to severe COVID-19.

“Keep investing in expanding manufacturing capacity is our commitment to customers”

Responding to the increased demand for products that are used in emerging modalities such as gene therapy, and are currently in high demand for the manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines and therapies, Cytiva is investing $1.5 billion over two years to meet growing demand for biotechnology solutions.

Japan brings data scientist training programme for pharma industry

Japanese firms Chugai Pharmaceutical and Albert Inc have jointly developed a data scientist training programme for the pharmaceutical industry.

Is the 5G health scare unfounded?

The introduction of the 5G network has been mired in numerous controversies. Governments across the globe, activists and telecom operators are embroiled in a bitter fight, filing lawsuits and protesting in large numbers. Although most of the available research on electromagnetic fields (EMF) reveals that there are no harmful effects from mobile radiation, some studies do reveal that it has the potential to damage the very structure of the DNA. Cancer, impaired reproductive health and numerous other disorders, including psychiatric, have been attributed to 5G. Will the implementation of the 5G network have serious health implications, or are these fears unfounded? We try to weigh-in the opposing sides.

China approves first CAR T-cell therapy

Kite, a Gilead Company, has announced that Fosun Kite Biotechnology Co., Ltd.,

Australia develops quick test to detect jaundice in infants

A fast, cheap paper test that can detect jaundice in newborns is on the verge of bedside validation and commercialisation, and distribution to health practitioners across the world.

Does The World Need Global Vax Passport?

Governments around the world are exploring the potential benefits of using ‘vaccine passports’ as a way to reopening the economy by identifying and permitting only those who are protected against COVID-19. While the world awaits herd immunity, millions of vaccinated individuals across the world are eagerly anticipating trade and operational plans at the vaccination horizons. Border checkpoints are reviving vigilance around the globe and countries are exploring novel methodologies to revive international travel, an essential social and business component at present.