CATEGORIES

Bringing patient voices into HTA, health policy development in Asia

Health technology assessment (HTA) is recognised as a crucial stage in the introduction of f new technology, new medicines, and new clinical practices.

AmoyDx collaborates with AstraZeneca for multiple companion diagnostics in China

Amoy Diagnostics, a China based innovative molecular diagnostics company, has entered into a Master Collaboration Agreement with AstraZeneca.

How Personalised 3D-Printed Drugs Can Cut Costs & Eliminate Fakes

Although 3D printing in life sciences is mostly associated with organs, of late, 3D-printed drugs are also gaining traction. Let’s find out the benefits of this fast growing tech solution that promises to solve the industry’s manufacturing woes.

WHO Issues Guidelines To ‘Pandemic Influenza'

The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s new guidelines for the clinical management of severe illness from influenza virus infections provide recommendations on the use of influenza antivirals, adjunctive therapies and diagnostic strategies.

Why Holomedicine Is Rapidly Gaining Ground

Medical holography has emerged as one of the most promising applications in the medical industry. Holographic imaging technology is advancing healthcare, life sciences, biomedical research as well as medical training and education. Mixed Reality (MR) applications are gradually making a progressive impact on healthcare deliveries with precise quantitative measurement of human internal anatomy elements in 3D holograms geometries displayed in actual physical space. Holographic 3D technology renders medical professionals with advanced diagnostic capabilities and surgical planning, by allowing them to slice virtual tissue, organs, and other body parts at various angles. Holomedicne advances access to percutaneous procedures without invasive needle techniques. Surgeons across the world are now curious to explore medical holograms to enhance the efficiency of complex surgeries.

Pfizer's Oral Covid-19 Drug To Hit Shelves In 95 Countries

COVID-19 drug

“We can only see interoperability driving the future of healthcare systems”

The need for having data sharing in healthcare through electronic records is more prevalent than ever. For the healthcare industry, big data can help lower rate of medication errors, facilitate preventive care, streamline staffing, among others. However due to the increasing number of cybersecurity attacks on healthcare systems, there is going to be more scrutiny regarding health data sharing, consent, and monetisation after recurring incidents exploiting interoperability.

“We are seeing strong demand for antiviral small molecules in APAC”

While vaccines have been rapidly developed and rolled out, there remains a dearth of small molecule treatment options that are designed specifically to combat COVID-19.

Waters introduces automated solution for mass and purity analysis of biomolecules

Waters Corporation has introduced new software and analytical columns to aid biomolecule drug discovery and development.

RedHill inks $6M deal with Kukbo for COVID-19 drug in South Korea

RedHill Biopharma has entered into an exclusive licence agreement with Kukbo Co., a South Korean corporation, for oral opaganib for the treatment of COVID-19, in South Korea.

Leveraging Academia-Industry Collabs to Scale-up S&T Innovations

Global challenges are too large to tackle in isolation. The creation of new shared value in public research through academic-industry collaborations are gaining momentum in innovations in the science, life science, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries.

Exploring the Possibilities of RNA Therapeutics

Fuelled by the successful utilisation of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, RNA therapeutics are expected to make larger strides in the near future. Let’s look at some of the drugs in late stage trials and the trends that will shape the RNA therapies landscape in 2022 and beyond:

Burden of Uncorrected Myopia on APAC Healthcare Systems

Uncorrected myopia remains the leading cause of distance vision impairment globally, and its rising prevalence could cost billions of dollars in lost productivity in the coming decades. A hallmark study by the Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) in Australia predicts that by 2050, over half the world’s population or 52 per cent will be myopic. Moreover, management and control of myopia is a relatively new concept in many countries. Let’s explore what possible steps can be undertaken to address this affliction.

Bharat Biotech, Biofabri to develop and distribute novel TB vaccine

India-based Bharat Biotech has announced the partnership with Biofabri, a Spanish biopharmaceutical company, to join forces to develop, manufacture and market a new tuberculosis vaccine in more than 70 countries in Southeast Asia and subSaharan Africa.

Aussie Institute combines statins with Evolocumab to lower heart attacks

A novel new therapy has been found to reduce harmful plaque in arteries and change its composition so it is less likely to rupture and cause a heart attack, following a clinical trial led by the Victorian Heart Institute (VHI) at Monash University.

Women Special - Breaking Down Disparities

Women continue to sustain the quest to make a mark in the workplace and balance their personal life. Pandemic or not, woman power has not diminished one bit, and it shows in their exemplary achievements in India and the rest of the world. On the occasion of Women’s Day, BioSpectrum Asia salutes 20 inspiring leaders of the life sciences industry in the APAC region, for motivating others around them, breaking the glass ceiling and paving their own paths in 2021. These 20 women are powerhouses in their respective fields, inspiring not just their employees and the people around them, but other women and the next generation of women leaders.

Japan Discovers Host Immune-Dependent Novel Anti-Coronavirus Antibody

The National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), in partnership with Shionogi & Co. in Japan, has successfully identified a novel antiviral antibody for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), its variants, and closely associated coronavirus species.

“Our COVID-19 Vax Efficacy is Promising; Lyme disease & Chikungunya Shots in pipeline”

Headquartered in France, Valneva is an established European specialty vaccine company that has already commercialised the Japanese encephalitis vaccine IXIARO/ JESPECT and the oral cholera vaccine DUKORAL.

“We are expanding our capacity across Asia”

The life science company Sartorius, through its subgroup Sartorius Stedim Biotech, acquired cell culture specialist Xell AG headquartered in Germany, in 2021. To discuss the latest developments in the company following this acquisition, BioSpectrum spoke to Jean-Marc Cappia (J-MC), Head of Cell Line, Media & Testing Solutions, and Stefan Northoff(SN), Head of Product Development for Cell Culture Media, Cell Lines & Testing Solutions, both at Sartorius. Edited excerpts;

Hong Kong's Pluslife Biotech launches first handheld COVID-19 nucleic acid test

Pluslife Biotech, an enterprise based in the Greater Bay Area in Hong Kong, has launched the first handheld COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Test to help with epidemic prevention and control.

Psychedelic Trip to Wellness

Psychedelics have been used throughout history for medical purposes before being classified as illicit drugs in the 1960s. But that’s changing now, psychedelic drugs are gaining widespread attention as rigorous clinical trials have demonstrated their potential as a treatment for unmet needs in mental health. What explains this renaissance, how soon we will see psychedelic drugs in the market and most importantly where does big pharma stand in this? Let’s find out.

CEPI lays focus on developing heat-stable vaccine technology

Norway-based Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has launched a new ‘Call for Proposals’ to improve the thermostability of vaccines against known epidemic and pandemic diseases like Ebola, Lassa fever, MERS, as well as COVID-19 or a novel Disease X.

A Reflection on 25 Years Well Spent: Building Our Reputation as Australia's Premier Bioanalytical and Toxicology Provider

This year, we at Agilex Biolabs celebrate our 25th year supporting Biotechs’ drug development programs as they champion safe and effective therapeutics through preclinical and clinical testing to bring relief to patient populations around the globe.

Boom Or Bust For Asian Healthcare?

Asia Pacific (APAC) is leaping with novel innovations while connecting the APAC market with global trends. Life sciences sector remains an attractive industry for investment from both strategic players and financial investors. The accelerated R&D activities amidst the pandemic attracted both outward direct investment (ODI) and foreign direct investment (FDI) in potential bio-pharma sectors at an estimated size of $40.25 billion in 2021. The surge in the pandemic is burgeoning consumer demand for innovative and potential healthcare products with the emerging digital health tech market. Thus, it’s essential to statistically analyse the perspective of the investment attractiveness in the APAC economy and translate it into a quantitative score to benchmark the performance of innovation and investments. Let’s gather some industry perspective on policy strengths and challenges in the markets for different stakeholders.

‘Click M' For Mental Health

Mental health and wellbeing has become a major cause for concern, especially due to the pandemic-induced psychological traumas, stemming from spending long hours in the confines of one’s home, minimal to zero social interaction, inability to meet and greet friends and family, as before and financial insecurity. Little wonder that the mental health space turned out to be ‘the hot’ sector in 2021, with funding more than doubling globally, climbing from $2.3 billion to $5.5 billion. As app-based mental health solutions are becoming a rage in APAC, we take a quick look at a few promising players.

US Highlights Covid-19 Neurological Symptoms

SARS-CoV-2 was initially identified as a respiratory virus, but it can affect the entire body, including the nervous system.

How IP Nitty-gritties Hinder Universal Immunisation

Since the COVID-19 immunisation started almost a year ago in January 2021, 60.2 per cent of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and only 9.4 per cent of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose (source: our world in data). While there are many challenges to do so, the repeated argument being ‘pharma companies should forego Intellectual Property (IP) to expedite universal immunisation’. Should pharma companies waive IP during the pandemic? Will this ensure universal immunisation and equal distribution of therapies? Let’s find out.

Hong Kong develops anti-virus 3D printing material to rapidly terminate COVID-19

An interdisciplinary research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has successfully developed the world’s first ‘anti-virus 3D printing material’ that can kill the COVID-19 virus on surfaces as well as most common viruses and bacteria.

Seeking The 'Fountain Of Youth'

In September 2021, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos invested in longevity biotech startup, Altos Labs putting the spotlight on the field of anti-ageing. Pharma and biotech firms are investing in research that could prevent and reverse the ageing process in humans, but can novel therapies actually provide longevity? Let's find out.

Hong Kong Studies Impact Of Pfizer Vaccine On Omicron Variant

A recent study jointly conducted by the LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) and the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CU Medicine) has revealed that Omicron, the latest COVID-19 variant, can significantly reduce the virus neutralisation ability of Pfizer BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine by 32 folds or more. A similar test of another vaccine used in Hong Kong, CoronaVac, is being conducted and the results will soon be available.