BioSpectrum Asia - October 2024

In this issue

How alarming is Monkeypox Threat Perception?
As the world finally emerges from the grip of COVID-19, a new threat looms: Mpox
(formerly known as Monkeypox). In August 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Mpox a global health emergency due to the rising cases of the new strain, clade I Mpox in Africa and Sweden, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated global action to monitor and contain the virus. As of September 2024, 2082 confirmed Mpox cases were reported globally, marking the highest number of monthly cases globally since November 2022. Nearly 400 cases have been reported in Asia Pacific this year.How are Asia Pacific countries stepping up surveillance measures and preparing their healthcare systems to combat Mpox? And just how significant is the threat posed by this outbreak?

New Zealand to update clinical trial regulatory guidelines

Medsafe, the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, is seeking public feedback on a series of proposed updates to the regulatory guidelines for people conducting clinical trials for medicines and medical devices.

1 min

UAE to create national scientific guide to tackle obesity and weight management

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has teamed up with Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf, a major player in global healthcare, to create a national scientific guide to tackle obesity and manage weight.

1 min

CSL sells plasma collection and fractionation operations in China for $185 M

Australia-based biotechnology company CSL Limited has entered into an agreement with Chengdu Rongsheng Pharmaceutical to sell its Wuhan Zhong Yuan Rui De Biologicals Products (Ruide) plasma collection and fractionation operations for cash proceeds of $185 million.

1 min

UCB to divest mature neurology and allergy business in China for $680 M

UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company based in Belgium, has announced a strategic divestment deal in China, underscoring its strategic shift towards innovation and partnership in one of the world’s fastestgrowing pharmaceutical markets.

1 min

Takeda offers over $32 M for five new global CSR partnerships

Japanese pharma firm Takeda has awarded JPY 4.6 billion (approximately $32 million) to five new partners in the field of global corporate social responsibility (CSR).

1 min

Neovantage Innovation Parks secures Rs 300 Cr for life sciences real estate portfolio in India

Neovantage Innovation Parks, South Asia’s largest private owner and operator of life sciencesfocused real estate, has secured its inaugural green loan of Rs 300 crore from HSBC India.

1 min

Bora Pharma makes investment into Tanvex for global biomanufacturing services

Taiwan-based Bora Pharmaceuticals Co. has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a strategic investment into Tanvex Biopharma Co., whereby Bora Biologics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bora and specialist large molecule Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO), and Tanvex will combine their biomanufacturing facilities to create a global solution for biologics development and supply.

1 min

GSK launches Herpes Zoster vaccine 'Shingrix' in Malaysia

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Sdn Bhd (GSK) has announced the launch of its Herpes Zoster vaccine, Shingrix, also known as Recombinant Zoster Vaccine, Adjuvanted (RZV) in Malaysia for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster, HZ) and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults aged 50 years and over.

1 min

Olympus extends advanced bipolar surgical energy portfolio

Japan-based Olympus Corporation, a global medical technology company, has announced the launch of two new jaw designs in the POWERSEAL Sealer/ Divider family of advanced bipolar surgical energy products- the POWERSEAL Straight Jaw, Double-action (SJDA) and the POWERSEAL Curved Jaw, Single-action (CJSA).

1 min

Bharat Biotech to collaborate with Alopexx for development of broad-spectrum antimicrobial vaccine

Indian biopharma firm Bharat Biotech has announced a collaboration with US-based Alopexx, Inc., for the co-development and commercialisation of Alopexx’s proprietary broad-spectrum antimicrobial vaccine, AV0328, in India and other low income and lower middleincome countries.

1 min

Respiree teams up with Roche Diagnostics to improve patient monitoring in APAC

Existing patient monitoring workflows often rely on nurses managing patients from centralised workstations, monitoring vitals and biomarkers at different intervals, and manually collecting vitals.

1 min

See-Mode Technologies gets US FDA clearance for thyroid ultrasound AI analysis software

Australia-based startup See-Mode Technologies, a global innovator in artificial intelligence (AI) for ultrasound imaging, has announced the receipt of 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their thyroid ultrasound analysis and reporting software.

1 min

IIM Bangalore to have India's first Global Centre of Excellence on PE & VC

Professor U Dinesh Kumar, Dean, Faculty, at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Mathew Cyriac, Executive Chairman, Florintree Advisors and alumnus of the PGP Class of 1994, to pave the way to the setting up of a global Centre of Excellence, the Tony James Centre for Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC), at IIM Bangalore.

1 min

Lotte Holdings unveils new healthcare and biopharmaceutical corporate venture capital

Lotte Holdings Co. has announced the establishment of a new Healthcare and Biopharmaceutical Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) dedicated to investing in biopharmaceuticals and next-generation modalities.

1 min

WHO launches global framework for understanding the origins of new or re-emerging pathogens

With the support of the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), the World Health Organization (WHO) has published a global framework to help Member States comprehensively investigate the origins of new and re-emerging pathogens.

1 min

WHO prequalifies first vaccine against mpox

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the MVA-BN vaccine as the first vaccine against mpox to be added to its prequalification list.

1 min

First cloud-based AI endoscopy system for colonoscopy gets US FDA clearance

Odin Medical, an Olympus Corporation company, has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for the first cloudbased Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology designed to assist gastroenterologists in detecting suspected colorectal polyps during colonoscopy procedures, the CADDIE computer-aided detection (CADe) device.

1 min

PAHO and Alzheimer's Disease International join forces to end stigma around dementia

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) have launched a new campaign, a joint initiative to raise awareness about dementia and to address the stigma that surrounds the condition in the region of the Americas.

1 min

How alarming Is Monkeypox Threat Perception?

As the world finally emerges from the grip of COVID-19, a new threat looms: Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox).

10+ mins

How Asia's Emerging As Biomanufacturing Powerhouse

Asia is poised to become a manufacturing powerhouse, building on its success in clinical trials and biotechnology innovations. While China has already established itself as a manufacturing leader, other countries in the region are following suit. With nations like Singapore, South Korea, and India recently launching ambitious policies to boost the sector, the region is gearing up for a significant transformation in its bio-manufacturing capabilities.

6 mins

Lessons from Singapore's Success

The Biomedical Sciences industry, which comprises the biopharmaceutical and medical technology sectors, is a key contributor to Singapore’s economy.

2 mins

How Asia is Addressing Mental Health Issues?

Nearly one billion people globally live with mental health conditions, and about 260 million of them reside in the World Health Organization WHO) South-East Asia Region. Governments across Asia are ramping up efforts to combat the rising mental health crisis. As October 10 will be observed as World Mental Health Day, we take a look at the region's focus on policy reforms to address the growing burden of mental healthcare across Asia.

5 mins

"The ongoing alignment of clinical trial regulations across APAC with global standards is significant"

Celebrating 25 years of ground-breaking technological innovation across more than 34,000 trials and 10 million patients, Medidata, a Dassault Systèmes brand headquartered in New York City and having strong presence in the United Kingdom and the Asia Pacific (APAC) region offers industry-leading expertise, analyticspowered insights, and the largest patient-level historical clinical trial data set in the world.

5 mins

"Developing capabilities to profile the next gen compounds in new modalities is expected to drive preclinical CRO growth"

The preclinical Contract Research Organisation (CRO) sector in India is witnessing massive transformation with huge investments being made in this sector by domestic and multinational players to cater to the global needs.

7 mins

"ICMR has committed to funding all aspects of Phase I trials of Zika vaccine"

Hyderabad-based Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) has signed an agreement with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on September 12 for clinical development of India’s first codon de-optimised live attenuated Zika vaccine.

2 mins

Why Cyber-resilience is Crucial

In recent years, ransomware attacks have become more regular, stealthy, and expensive. They have also been developing swiftly.

4 mins

Bharat BioEconomy to touch $30 trillion by 2050: IBER 2024

“The Indian BioEconomy is projected to rise to $30 trillion by 2050, within a global economy valued at $228 trillion, representing a significant increase in its economic share from 4 to 13 per cent,” according to the India BioEconomy Report (IBER 2024), prepared for 'Make In India Facilitation Cell for Biotechnology' of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), by Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE).

4 mins

Korea announces first joint degree programme in AI in partnership with US

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and New York University, US have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce a graduate programme for a joint degree in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).

1 min

TriMedSoc Alliance renews collaboration, uniting Singapore medical students

Student bodies from Singapore’s three medical schools renewed their partnership, three years after the TriMedSoc Alliance was first established.

1 min

Zuellig Pharma: A Sustainable Approach to Healthcare Access Through Innovative Solutions

The equitable distribution of medicines and their accessibility are critical to the resilience of the healthcare system.

4 mins

Novotech appoints Dr Yooni Kim as Managing Director for APAC region

Novotech, the leading global biotech Contract Research Organisation (CRO), has announced the appointment of Dr Yooni Kim as a new Executive position of Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The establishment of the Managing Director APAC role is a significant step, aligning Novotech’s operations across key regions, including the United States, Europe, Mainland China, and APAC.

1 min

Tanvex BioPharma appoints Stephen Lam as CEO

Tanvex BioPharma, Inc., Taiwan-based biosimilar-focused biopharmaceutical company and a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO,) has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Stephen Lam as the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

1 min

Amit Mookim steps in as CEO of Immuneel Therapeutics

India-based Immuneel Therapeutics, a pioneering cell and gene therapy platform, has announced the appointment of Amit Mookim as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

1 min

Vatroslav Mateljic steps in as General Manager of Takeda Canada

Takeda Canada Inc. has announced the appointment of Vatroslav (Vatro) Mateljic as its new General Manager to lead the Canadian operations of Japan's largest pharmaceutical company.

1 min

Singapore's Health Sciences Authority appoints Adj A/ Prof. Raymond Chua as CEO

Adjunct Associate Professor Raymond Chua Swee Boon has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer-Designate of the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Singapore and will officially assume the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role from December 13, 2024. Dr Mimi Choong May Ling, the current CEO of HSA, will retire from public service with effect from December 13, 2024.

1 min

Bio Duro-Sundia appoints Dr Armin Spura as CEO

BioDuro-Sundia, a leading Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organisation (CRDMO) based in the US and China, has announced the appointment of Dr Armin Spura as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

1 min

Hong Kong develops next-gen wearable continuous glucose monitoring system

An interdisciplinary research team, including the Faculty of Engineering and Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), Zhejiang University, and Guangzhou Medical University, in China, has developed a groundbreaking continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system which represents a major advancement in wearable health technology and is set to revolutionise diabetes management.

1 min

Singapore elevates analysis of genomic data with breakthrough mathematical technique

A novel approach for analysing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data has been unveiled by researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

1 min

Scopio Labs & Beckman Coulter to distribute digital bone marrow imaging and analysis app

US-based Beckman Coulter, a clinical diagnostics leader, and Scopio Labs, a medtech company based in Israel that develops digital cell morphology workflow solutions, have jointly announced expansion of its long-term partnership to include a global distribution agreement of Scopio's Full-Field Bone Marrow Aspirate (FF-BMA) Application.

1 min

MilliporeSigma launches single-use reactor to accelerate ADCs manufacturing

MilliporeSigma, the US and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has launched the first single-use reactor specifically designed to manufacture antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). ADCs are a rapidly emerging class of therapeutic agents that can target and selectively kill tumour cells, while protecting healthy ones.

1 min

Agilent unveils Biopharma CDx Services Lab to accelerate precision medicine

Agilent Technologies Inc., has announced the launch of its Biopharma CDx Services Lab (BCSL) in Carpinteria, California, US following receipt of California State clinical laboratory license and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certificate of compliance.

1 min

Shimadzu launches operations in Mexico

Japan's Shimadzu Corporation has established a subsidiary in Mexico and has begun its activities.

1 min

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BioSpectrum Asia Magazine Description:

BioSpectrum Asia Magazine is a monthly magazine published by MM Activ Sci-Tech Communication in India. It is a leading biotechnology magazine in Asia, covering a wide range of topics related to the biotechnology industry, including:

* Biotechnology news and trends: BioSpectrum Asia covers the latest biotechnology news and trends from India and around the world.
* Biotechnology company profiles and interviews: The magazine profiles leading biotechnology companies in Asia and interviews their CEOs and other top executives.
* Biotechnology research and development: BioSpectrum Asia covers the latest biotechnology research and development from academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies.
* Biotechnology product reviews: The magazine reviews the latest biotechnology products and services.
* Biotechnology industry events: BioSpectrum Asia covers biotechnology industry events from around the world.

BioSpectrum Asia Magazine is a must-read for anyone who wants to stay informed about the latest advances in biotechnology and their potential to impact the world around us.