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TECH-POWERED WAR ON AMR
The consistent increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is threatening to undo many of the gains of modern medicine. The situation is particularly alarming in the Asia Pacific region, which could witness around 50 per cent of global annual AMR-related mortality by 2050. Around 62 per cent of antibiotics in the region are used without prescriptions, indicating inappropriate usage and significantly increasing the risk of AMR strain emergence, according to a report from LEK Consulting Group. All this makes the region an epicentre of AMR and its consequences. In response to the growing threat, countries in the region have taken steps to tackle the AMR threat. These include a National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR), antimicrobial stewardship efforts, diagnostics surveillance etc. However, the million-dollar question is whether these steps will be effective and enough. Let’s find out.
Amaroq, GeneCrypt to supercharge cancer research with new levels of health data privacy
Start-Up News
MedTech Innovator APAC picks 24 startups for annual accelerator prog
Start-Up News
Cyteph secures $1.5 M for brain cancer immunotherapy trial
Start-Up News
Scivita Medical opens R&D, manufacturing plant in Suzhou Industrial Park
Start-Up News
Colorcon invests in new pharma-based film coating plant in Malaysia
Company News
Samsung Biologics, Pfizer partner for long-term manufacturing of biosimilars portfolio
Company News
Lotus Pharma, Alvogen and NRx Pharma to commercialise NRX-101 for S-TRBD
Finance News
InDex Pharma inks $50 M deal with Viatris Japan
Finance News
Medtronic to acquire wearable insulin patch maker EOFlow for $738 M
Medtronic, Ireland headquartered healthcare technology firm, has entered into a set of definitive agreements to acquire South Korea-based EOFlow Co, manufacturer of the EOPatch device — a tubeless, wearable and fully disposable insulin delivery device.
Chugai to invest over ¥ 50B to build new biomanufacturing facilities in Japan
Japan-based Chugai Pharmaceutical has announced its decision to construct a new bio active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) manufacturing building and injection building in the Utsunomiya Plant of Chugai Pharma Manufacturing, a member of the Chugai Group.
Australia injects $50 M to drive innovative models of primary care
The Australian government is strengthening Medicare with a new $50 million research initiative to drive innovation in primary care.
Taiwan, Canada reach deal on public health cooperation
Taiwan and Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation on health affairs and boost the efficiency of joint programmes.
Malaysia launches first purpose-built healthcare and wellness city in SEA
KLWC is open for collaborations with regional and international partners to jointly develop this healthcare and wellness city.
Japan injects $200 M to support third phase operations of GHIT Fund
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has recently announced the Government of Japan’s pledge to contribute $200 million to the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund)/ United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
India-Australia partnership to tackle non-communicable diseases
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Chhattisgarh Health Department in India and Australia’s George Institute for Global Health for a five-year research on malnutrition & non-communicable diseases in Chhattisgarh.
Tapping Full Potential Of Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are another powerful tool in the biotech industry’s arsenal for targeted drug delivery. Their extremely small size, measured in nanometres, makes them highly effective carriers for therapeutic agents. These miniature carriers can be customised to encase drugs, benefiting from their biocompatibility, controlled release capabilities, stability, and low toxicity. The precision offered by nanoparticles opens up a world of possibilities for treating various diseases, including infectious diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders. These tiny particles offer tremendous potential for targeted drug delivery, enhanced therapeutic efficacy and precise disease targeting. Moreover, the global market for nanoparticle drug delivery is projected to grow significantly, reaching $123.6 billion by 2025, according to BCC Research. Let’s deep dive into the fascinating field of nanomedicines, advancements and challenges in nanoparticle drug delivery.
Asian biosciences industry shines with multiple innovations
COVID-19 was a wake-up call for the vaccine industry globally and in Asia, and a catalyst for vaccine R&D. Global majors like BioNTech, Moderna, MSD and Sanofi have unveiled plans to expand footprints in Asia, while local players are striving to catch up fast in developing novel vaccines, in addition focusing on other therapeutic areas like oncology and cell and gene therapy. With these developments Asia is emerging as a biosciences innovation hub.
Devising a viable global strategy to combat Cholera
Since mid-2021, the world is facing an acute upsurge of the 7th cholera pandemic characterised by the number, size and concurrence of multiple outbreaks, the spread to areas free of cholera for decades and alarming high mortality rates. Based on the current situation and lack of vaccines and other resources, the World Health Organisation (WHO) assesses the risk at the global level as very high.
How Digital Transformation Strategy could transform Indonesia's healthcare system for the better
Since the COVID-19 epidemic, the digital healthcare business in Indonesia has rapidly expanded. The country needed to modernise its healthcare system, including digitalisation, in addition to enhancing performance and accessibility. Concerns over Indonesia’s healthcare future led to investments in digital healthcare, and the government is now working to encourage its spread.
"We plan to manufacture one million tests of VANSCAN Typhoid RT PCR test in our first year in India"
Indian firm Vanguard Diagnostics recently launched the VANSCAN Typhoid RT PCR Test, which is India’s first Typhoid RT PCR test based on patented technology. With typhoid fever being common in developing countries, India is an endemic country for typhoid with a burden of approximately 4.8 million cases per year. Veena Kohli, Chief Executive Officer, Vanguard Diagnostics spoke, at length, with BioSpectrum about the growing cases of typhoid in the country and how the new diagnostic solution can solve this problem. Edited excerpts:
"Bringing a drug to market successfully goes beyond proving its efficacy in treating a particular disease"
Kyowa Kirin, a Japan-based Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company has been expanding its pipeline in rare diseases, with a focus on endocrinology and paediatrics. In 2020, the company launched a corporate venture capital firm to invest in early-stage companies, particularly for research and development (R&D) platforms that complement their own research and will hopefully lead to future product development. Dr Tan Boon Heon, President, Kyowa Kirin Asia Pacific, highlights the company’s tech-driven innovation approach, emerging trends in the pharma industry and the increasingly stringent regulatory landscape. Edited excerpts:
"We'll focus on genomic medicine and growing our business in China"
In May 2023, Cytiva and the life sciences business of Pall Corporation completed their integration and are now united as one business under the Cytiva brand. Emmanuel Ligner, President and CEO, Cytiva and Danaher Group Executive shares some pertinent details with BioSpectrum Asia about the merger, including the strategic rationale behind the decision, the impact on employees, customers, and stakeholders. Ligner reveals the long-term vision and goals for the newly-merged company. Edited excerpts:
Turning Microbiome Therapy into Modern Panacea
The United States Food and Drug Administration’s (US FDA) approval of Seres Therapeutics’ (USA) VOWST in April 2023 and Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ (Switzerland) REBYOTA in November 2022, has marked a pivotal moment in the microbiome therapeutics landscape. There are many disease areas with significant unmet medical needs that are linked to the state of an individual’s microbiome. In recent years, there has been growing interest and research in the field of microbiome therapies. Researchers are exploring the potential of manipulating the microbiome to prevent, treat, or manage a wide range of health issues, including gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. Let’s explore this new era of microbiome therapeutics and challenges in developing such therapies.
Can India's National Medical Devices Policy Unleash Sector's Full Potential?
The National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 that got the approval of the government of India on April 26 seems to have made the medical devices sector happy. The slew of strategies mentioned in the policy assures a win–win outcome for the manufacturers as well as patients. Experts are upbeat about the projected growth of the sector in the near future. The policy aims to bring a range of interventions in a coherent manner that would facilitate focussed and efficient support and facilitation for the sector by the respective agencies. Let’s explore further.
Waters Corp launches next generation Xevo TQ Absolute IVD mass spectrometer
Waters Corporation has unveiled its next generation Xevo TQ Absolute IVD mass spectrometer, expanding its family of MassTrak IVD LC-MS/MS Systems for clinical diagnostic applications
BD introduces advanced ultrasound technology for optimal IV placement
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company based in the US, has launched a new, easy-to-use advanced ultrasound device with a specialised probe designed to provide clinicians with optimal IV placement
Korea designs artificial kidney for early detection of drug toxicity
A research team from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), in South Korea, has engineered an artificial kidney that allows for the early detection of adverse drug reactions
India develops screening device to assess blood vessel health
A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has developed a novel, non-invasive device to assess the health and age of blood vessels and thereby provide early screening for cardiovascular diseases
International dementia research collaboration to address key health challenge in Australia and Japan
Three expert teams in Australia will share $1.5 million to undertake research into causes of dementia through projects funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)