Healthcare - Today Stories

ViiV Healthcare, the global specialist HIV company majority-owned by GSK, with Pfizer Inc. and Shionogi Limited as shareholders, has announced it has made a regulatory submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of  a new dispersible tablet formulation of the fixed dose combination of abacavir, dolutegravir and lamivudine and, to extend its current approval for Triumeq (abacavir/ dolutegravir/ lamivudine) to lower the minimum weight at which a child can be prescribed this medicine, from 40kg and above to 14kg and above. If approved, this approval will result in further treatment options for younger children living with HIV. Paediatric HIV remains a global issue, with children disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic. Latest statistics show there are 1.7 mi…

World Mitochondrial Disease Week raises awareness of mitochondrial disease (mito) on a global scale through educational, fundraising and advocacy activities. What is Mitochondrial Disease? Most people have never heard of mitochondrial disease. Once considered rare, it is now thought to affect 1 in 5000 people, making it the second most commonly diagnosed, serious genetic disease after cystic fibrosis. Researchers have discovered links between mitochondrial dysfunction and other conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, cardiac issues and some cancers. Scientists believe that in focusing on mitochondrial dysfunction, they may be able to devise effective treatments and potential cures for mito and help the millions of people who suffer from the above-men…

Medicines Australia has secured a 5-year Strategic Agreement with the Federal Government, centered on earlier patient involvement and influence in the availability of new medicines in Australia. The new Agreement sets out a hardworking, five-year plan that heralds a new era by securing stronger patient involvement in critical processes and ensuring Australia keeps pace with access to rapidly transforming medical advancements developed around the world. “This Agreement, signed and supported by Minister Greg Hunt today, will ensure what is important to patients is a priority focus in creating faster access to lifesaving medicines and treatments,” said Dr Anna Lavelle, Chair of Medicines Australia. In a major step forward, the Agreement ensures patients will become fundamental contributors to…

Sensyne Health plc (LSE: SENS) (“Sensyne” or the “Company” or the “Group”), the ethical Clinical AI company, today announces it has signed a five year non-exclusive Strategic Research Agreement (SRA) with Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (“GOSH”) to analyse anonymised patient data using clinical artificial intelligence (Clinical AI) technology.   The purpose of the SRA is to enable the ethical application of Clinical AI research to improve paediatric clinical outcomes, and accelerate research into new medicines to find new and better ways to treat rare and complex childhood diseases.  The SRA is Sensyne’s first to focus on improving care and accelerating the development of medicines specifically for children. The first project will focus on developing a clinic…

Advance to Phase 3 follows positive interim Phase 1/2 immunogenicity and safety data Global clinical trial will evaluate vaccine candidate GBP510 against the AZ/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Aim is for global supply through the COVAX facility in the first half of 2022, subject to data and regulatory review SK bioscience (SK) and GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) today announced the initiation of a Phase 3 clinical study of SK’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, GBP510, in combination with GSK’s pandemic adjuvant following positive interim Phase 1/2 results. The randomised, active-controlled global trial will enrol around 4,000 participants from a range of countries and will aim to evaluate GBP510’s safety and immunogenicity compared to an active comparator - the AstraZeneca/Oxford University COVID-19 vaccin…

- Ultreon™ 1.0 Software, the first-of-its-kind imaging software, merges optical coherence tomography with the power of automation using Artificial Intelligence - The new intuitive interface provides step-by-step guidance to enhance ease of use - When combined with Abbott's Dragonfly OpStar™ imaging catheter and PressureWire X™, the platform provides physicians with a comprehensive set of tools to provide better patient care Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its latest optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging platform powered by the company's new Ultreon Software. This innovative imaging software combines OCT with artificial intelligence (AI) to provide physicians an enhanced, comprehensive view of coronary blood flow…

Loxo Oncology at Lilly, a research and development group of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), and Kumquat Biosciences today announced an exclusive collaboration focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of potential novel small molecules that stimulate tumor-specific immune responses. Through the multi-year collaboration, Kumquat will utilize its small molecule immuno-oncology (IO) platform to discover novel clinical candidates and Lilly has the option to select a certain number of drug candidates for further development and commercialization worldwide, excluding Greater China. Kumquat has retained development and commercialization rights in Greater China for each of the drug candidates selected by Lilly, subject to Lilly's option to co-commercialize in Greater China. Ad…

28 July 2021 - Today, WHO joins the global community in celebrating World Hepatitis Day with the theme “Hepatitis can’t wait”, calling on all countries to work together to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. A hepatitis-free future is achievable with a united effort. Over 354 million people worldwide live with chronic hepatitis; over 8000 new infections of hepatitis B and C occur every day, and more than one million deaths from advanced liver disease and liver cancer occur every year. The 2021 Global report on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, took stock of the progress achieved in the last 5 years, the setbacks caused by the pandemic, and the lessons learned for the coming decade.  Although the extent of progress in the hepatitis response h…

Plan aims to unlock up to £400 million of new private investment and create up to 5,000 new highly-skilled jobs over next decade Stevenage could become one of Europe’s largest ‘clusters’ for biotechnology and other early-stage life science companies Vision for campus developed in partnership with Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, UK Government and Stevenage Borough Council; GSK to make 33 acres of land available for development at the company’s R&D site in Stevenage GSK has today announced that it has formally started the process of seeking a development partner to transform land within the company’s existing 92-acre Research & Development site in Stevenage into one of Europe’s largest ‘clusters’ for biotechnology and other early-stage life science companies. The vision for the new…

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced the acquisition of Protomer Technologies ("Protomer"), a private biotech company. Protomer's proprietary peptide- and protein-engineering platform is used to identify and synthesize molecules that can sense glucose or other endogenous modulators of protein activity.   The potential value of the transaction is over $1 billion, with successful achievement of future development and commercial milestones. Lilly previously led an equity investment in Protomer alongside the JDRF T1D Fund, providing Lilly with 14 percent ownership of the company. Lilly is acquiring the remainder of the stock of Protomer beyond its initial investment. Founded in 2015 and based in Pasadena, California, Protomer is engineering next-generation protein therapeutics tha…

Prothena is eligible to receive development and sales milestone payments totalling up to 1.2 billion US dollars , including 100 million dollars in upfront and near-term clinical milestone payments Novo Nordisk will develop the phase 2 ready antibody PRX004 for the rare heart disease ATTR cardiomyopathy Prothena Corporation plc and Novo Nordisk A/S today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive purchase agreement under which Novo Nordisk has acquired Prothena’s clinical stage antibody PRX004 and broader ATTR amyloidosis programme. PRX004 is a phase 2ready anti-amyloid immunotherapy designed to deplete the amyloid deposits that are associated with the disease pathology of ATTR amyloidosis. ATTR amyloidosis is a rare, progressive and fatal disease characterised by the abn…

As part of Sanofi’s ongoing efforts to reduce the complexity of its Consumer Healthcare portfolio and accelerate its growth trajectory, the company has signed an agreement with STADA for the divestiture of 16 Consumer Healthcare products commercialized in Europe. The transaction with STADA ensures that these products will continue to be available to consumers. "As discussed during our Capital Markets Day in February, simplifying the CHC product portfolio is an important part of our strategy to focus our resources and efforts where we can bring the most value, especially to consumers. We are pleased these products will continue to be available for consumers as we focus on becoming a fully integrated standalone business” said Julie Van Ongevalle, Executive Vice-President, Sanofi and Head of…

Leonard Award program recognizes innovation and positive achievements in the diabetes community Lilly to give $100,000 to Life for a Child in recognition of five Award winners In honor of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today launched the Leonard Award to recognize diverse champions dedicated to advancing diabetes management through innovative thinking and novel approaches. Nominations are being accepted now until August 31, 2021 at Lilly.com/LeonardAward. The Leonard Award is inspired by the life of Leonard Thompson, the first person with diabetes to be treated with insulin in 1922, and looks to celebrate ongoing achievements in the diabetes community. The Award is open to eligible participants from the following categories: Teen/yo…

Updated version of highly sensitive and accurate COVID-19 PCR kit accounts for known and future viral mutations Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, today announced the launch of a new CE-IVD-marked COVID-19 test. The TaqPath COVID-19 Fast PCR Combo Kit 2.0. expands Thermo Fisher's menu of highly accurate tests that detect active SARS-CoV-2 infections. The kit uses an advanced assay design which compensates for current and emerging variants by using eight total targets across three genomic regions of the virus. This approach helps to ensure the test provides accurate results even as the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to mutate. "COVID-19 variants can be more transmissible and potentially impact efficacy of diagnostics, vaccines and therapies, threatening to…

Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today the creation of the Kenneth C. Frazier Award for Maternal Health Equity, a grant award that will be bestowed annually to one organization in recognition of its commitment to and progress toward more equitable, high-quality maternal health care. The award will be granted by Merck for Mothers, Merck’s global initiative to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving life. The Kenneth C. Frazier Award for Maternal Health Equity is named in recognition of the legacy and commitment to maternal health by Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck. Merck for Mothers flourished under his leadership following its creation nearly a decade ago and serves as only one of many example…

World Blood Donor Day takes place on 14 June each year. The aim is to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and of the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems. The day also provides an opportunity to call to action to governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources and put into place systems and infrastructures to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors. Safe blood and blood products and their transfusion are a critical aspect of care and public health. They save millions of lives and improve the health and quality of life of many patients every day. The need for blood is universal, but access to blood for all those who need it is not.…

Programs now available to support patients and families with their treatment journey Collaborations with Veterans Health Administration, CVS Health and NAFC focused on health disparities in underserved communities Value-based agreements in progress with Cigna and other payers Following today’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) accelerated approval of ADUHELMTM (aducanumab-avwa) as the first and only Alzheimer’s disease treatment to address a defining pathology of the disease by reducing amyloid beta plaques in the brain, Biogen (Nasdaq: BIIB) and Eisai Inc., U.S. subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd., announced a range of programs intended to support access for all qualified patients, including traditionally underserved populations. These initiatives aim to help patients and their famili…

This year, Carers Week takes place from 7th - 13th June. Carers Week is an annual awareness campaign that celebrates and recognises the vital contribution of the UK’s unpaid carers – supporting family members and friends who are older, have a disability, mental or physical illness or need extra help as they grow older. On behalf of the Carers Week charities, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic unpaid carers have played an essential role supporting older, disabled and seriously ill relatives and friends, doing so most of the year on their own behind closed doors. They have forgone breaks from caring and much of the support they would normally have relied on. “As restrictions ease it is vital that we acknowledge the enormous contribution that u…

- Abbott has the capacity and supply to support increased demand for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices following Medtronic's decision to stop the global distribution and sale of the Medtronic HeartWare™ ventricular assist device (HVAD) - Access to MCS devices are critical for advanced heart failure patients and can improve survival, clinical outcomes and quality of life - Abbott is working with physicians and health systems to ensure supply of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) alongside training and education for implanting physicians now offering Abbott's HeartMate 3™ to their patients Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced the company has capacity and supply to effectively support the growing demand for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices for the effective treatment…

With a commitment to listen to women to understand their health needs and provide the solutions that are so urgently needed Organon, London, UK, 3 June 2021 – Organon (NYSE: OGN) has today launched as the only global health company of its size, with a singular vision: to make a better and healthier every day for every woman. With a majority-female Leadership Team, the company will be headquartered in the US, with offices across the globe including one in Shoreditch, London. Organon has more than 60 products across an international footprint that will serve people in more than 140 countries, with nearly 80% of its approximately $6.5 billion in annual revenue generated outside the U.S. “It’s exciting to take the helm in a new and vibrant company with such a strong purpose; a commitment to i…