BioSpectrum Asia - August 2022

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Keeping Pace with MUTATING VIRUSES
A surge in the pandemic has forced the pharma industry to deliver a wide-spectrum vaccine to fight mutation-prone SARS-CoV-2, pledging to prevent future outbreaks. WHO states that the most extensive vaccination campaign in history is providing prophylactic results by delivering more than 12 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, protecting 60 per cent of the global population as of June 2022. Now the next-generation COVID-19 vaccines are countering the
challenge of enhancing the immune response to tackle the emerging COVID-19 variants. It is therefore imperative to remain vigilant and upgrade vaccine candidates to emerging virus sublineages. In order to gain a competitive position in the market, vaccine manufacturers are investing in advanced platform technologies. Let’s take a closer look at some of these leading vaccines approved in APAC as broad spectrum virucide inhibitors.

Australia widens access to COVID-19 treatments

All Australians aged over 70 who test positive to COVID-19 will be able to access antivirals on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

1 min

Athenex sells Chinese API business for $19M

Athenex, Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialisation of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and related conditions, has announced that Athenex and certain affiliates have entered into an agreement to sell all of its equity interests in its China subsidiaries, which are primarily engaged in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing operations, to TiHe Capital (Beijing) for RMB 124.4 million, or approximately $19 million.

1 min

Fujifilm invests $1.6B to expand global offering of cell culture manufacturing services

Japan-based Fujifilm Corporation has announced the investment of $1.6 billion to enhance and expand the cell culture manufacturing services of Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Corporation, and world-leading contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO).

1 min

Mylab launches COVID-19 test to detect all variants in 20 seconds

Indian startup Mylab Discovery Solutions and USbased Hemex Health, a medical diagnostic device company focussed on creating diagnostics to transform frontline healthcare, have announced the official launch of the Gazelle PathoCatch COVID-19 FIA test, their collaborative diagnostic solution for point-of-care (PoC) testing in India.

1 min

Keeping Pace With Mutating Viruses

A surge in the pandemic has forced the pharma industry to deliver a wide-spectrum vaccine to fight mutation-prone SARS-CoV-2, pledging to prevent future outbreaks. WHO states that the most extensive vaccination campaign in history is providing prophylactic results by delivering more than 12 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, protecting 60 per cent of the global population as of June 2022. Now the next-generation COVID-19 vaccines are countering the challenge of enhancing the immune response to tackle the emerging COVID-19 variants. It is therefore imperative to remain vigilant and upgrade vaccine candidates to emerging virus sublineages. In order to gain a competitive position in the market, vaccine manufacturers are investing in advanced platform technologies. Let's take a closer look at some of these leading vaccines approved in APAC as broad spectrum virucide inhibitors.

10+ mins

How CDMOs are Adapting to New mRNA Tech Demands

From 2020, coinciding with the outbreak of COVID-19, there’s been a steady upsurge in demand for new technologies such as messenger RNA (mRNA). Contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs) are compelled to rapidly expand capabilities to cater to this upsurge. Let’s see how CDMOs have prepared for the new wave of technologies on the horizon, and the challenges they faced in welcoming a new era of such technologies.

5 mins

IS INDUSTRY 4.0 PROMISING THE MOON?

As pharma grapples with rising complexity, costs and regulation, the sector is looking to industry 4.0 manufacturing as a solution. Smart factories managed with next generation technologies will lower pharma manufacturing costs, improve quality and reduce capacity constraints. Let’s look at how pharma is adopting industry 4.0.

4 mins

Drones - Providing Succour By UAVs

Drone technology has ceased to be just a mere fanciful and impractical aspect of Hollywood blockbusters, making headway into almost every aspect of modern industries and services. Naturally, healthcare isn’t far behind in leveraging this nifty and reliable tech to its advantage. Let’s see how deep has been the penetration of this aerial supply chain wonder gadget.

9 mins

“An effective biobank provides high-quality and affordable biospecimens to drive research, aiding live-saving scientific discoveries”

Since the beginning of COVID-19, numerous biobanks have emerged to facilitate studies of the virus and disease, how it spreads, and why some people are more susceptible than others. Biobanks also provide pre-COVID samples for biological comparisons and further research. Going beyond the pandemic, biobanks play a crucial role in all disease areas. For decades now, unique collections of material, serum, tissue, and a variety of cells have been stored to help researchers understand non-communicable diseases as well. There are many critical considerations for biobanks, especially because of the safety implications of preserving sample integrity.

4 mins

“Unique demands of CGT biomanufacturing necessitate an early-stage collaboration between suppliers and biomanufacturers”

A surge in pharmaceutical R&D has led to an increase in the number of Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) candidates being developed. The goal has been to develop cost-effective and efficient cell and gene therapies while focusing on biomanufacturing innovations. It’s now becoming essential to outsource manufacturing services that can leverage innovative cuttingedge biomanufacturing technologies to enhance efficiency and flexibility in CGT. Narayana Rao, Vice President of Biopharma, Asia Pacific MiddleEast Africa at Avantor interacted with BioSpectrum Asia and shared his insights on Asia’s CGT Biomanufacturing ecosystem. Edited excerpts;

5 mins

“Many countries in APAC lack digital infrastructure to store and process data efficiently”

GE Healthcare, soon to become an independent public company in 2023, is poised to achieve even greater speed and agility in its response to the industry’s needs. This includes their efforts in advancing Precision Health, a key priority in Singapore’s healthcare reform plan to refocus the sector on patient-centred preventive care. BioSpectrum Asia spoke to Chris Khang, President & Chief Executive Officer (ASEAN, Korea and ANZ), GE Healthcare at length on how the company is strengthening digital healthcare in Asia Pacific (APAC). Edited Excerpts;

5 mins

“The concept of anti-ageing should, therefore, include youth preservation as part of its objective”

Operating in approximately 50 markets worldwide in the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Pacific, Nu Skin is revolutionising the industry with products that offer comprehensive anti-ageing concerns. By targeting the ultimate sources of ageing, Nu Skin’s ageLOC products dramatically diminish the appearance of ageing. Backed by more than 35 years of scientific research, Nu Skin develops innovative products including Nu Skin personal care, Pharmanex nutrition and the ageLOC anti-ageing brand, which includes an award-winning line of beauty device systems. To find out more about the company’s expertise in the area of anti-ageing, BioSpectrum Asia spoke to Joseph Y. Chang, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President- Product Development, Nu Skin Enterprises. With over 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries, Dr Chang enjoys a comprehensive knowledge of both of these industries and serves as a member of the Executive Committee for Nu Skin Enterprises.

4 mins

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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.