Today Stories

A new five-year US$ 25 million (US$ 5 million/year) financial support to prevent and treat Neglected Tropical Diseases Strong Company commitment to meet the goals of the new WHO NTDs Roadmap and sustainably eliminate sleeping sickness before 2030 20-year partnership outstanding legacy with a decrease of 97% in sleeping sickness cases worldwide PARIS - December 15, 2020 - Sanofi has signed on December 10th a renewed partnership agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO), consolidating a 20-year collaboration to fight some of the most Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and supporting the WHO in its commitment to sustainably eliminate sleeping sickness before 2030.   With this new 5-year commitment, Sanofi will provide a consistent financial support with US$ 25 million (US$ 5 milli…

Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, has secured CE Mark certification for the Thermo Scientific OmniPATH Combi SARS-CoV-2 IgG ELISA test. The test is intended for the quantitative measurement of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies raised against the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to aid clinicians in identifying patients with an immune response pre- and post-vaccination. The ability to quantify IgG is a critical component to understanding an individual’s immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, especially as we start to vaccinate the population. Having quantitative data on neutralizing antibodies will enable better understanding of a person’s immune response following exposure to the COVID-19 virus and support monitoring of the effectiveness of vaccines as t…

A revolutionary new way for pharma companies, and other businesses, to tap into the pockets of excellence in NHS staff delivery launches today. Just eight months after BOB.health was made available to NHS staff, sponsored impact stories are now published.  These ‘impact stories’, told by NHS staff members, are practical accounts of how to introduce medicine into a local system or how to redesign a pathway or service. Pharma and NHS collaboration initiatives, such as Joint Working projects, are unpacked, supporting the dissemination of the lessons learnt to NHS stakeholders in other localities. BOB.health is working with five leading pharma companies, including Boehringer Ingelheim, who have already bought into the concept of BOB. January 2021, will see the first batch of pharma sponsored s…

A 90-year-old woman has become the first person to be given a Covid jab as part of the mass vaccination programme being rolled out across the UK. Margaret Keenan, who turns 91 next week, said it was the "best early birthday present". She was given the injection at 06:31 GMT - the first of 800,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that will be given in the coming weeks. Up to four million more are expected by the end of the month. Hubs in the UK will vaccinate over-80s and some health and care staff - the programme aims to protect the most vulnerable and return life to normal. Matron May Parsons administered Ms Keenan's vaccine at University Hospital in Coventry. Ms Keenan, who is originally from Enniskillen, said: "I feel so privileged to be the first person va…

U.K. regulator, MHRA, authorizes supply of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for emergency supply under Regulation 174; Companies are ready to deliver the first doses to the U.K. immediately First authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine represents a breakthrough scientific achievement to help combat this devastating pandemic The companies previously signed an agreement to supply a total of 40 million doses to the U.K. with delivery in 2020 and 2021 U.S. FDA and EU EMA decisions on authorization are expected in December NEW YORK & MAINZ, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX) announced today that the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the U.K. has granted a temporary authorization for emergency use for their COVID-19 mRNA vaccin…

Tech-enabled care firm cements its position as one of Europe’s fastest-growing businesses, reaching $120m in revenues and EBITDA positive in less than four years Firm aims to double its headcount by announcing 5,000 new roles in the UK Cera recently expanded into Scotland, and now employs more than 5,000 staff across 50+ UK offices Monday 30th November, London: Cera, the UK healthtech start-up launched in 2016, today confirms it has reached $120 million revenues (run-rate) in less than four years, and the creation of 5,000 new jobs nationwide as it seeks to double its headcount. The firm, which leverages cutting edge digital and data technology to provide in-home care, is already EBITDA positive. Marking its fourth anniversary since launch this month, Cera has already grown to become one…

Comprehensive access landscape map will help entrepreneurs get digital health technologies to patients and healthcare professionals. Bracknell, UK, 30 November 2020 – A new guide for digital health innovators launched today by Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) provides a comprehensive assessment of the English health system, pooling key stakeholder insights and signposting to further information for entrepreneurs to overcome barriers to the adoption of new technologies. The new, free to download guide features contributions from Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), experts in digital and data and successful healthcare innovators and aims to optimise innovator opportunities and help them plot a clear pathway for digital health technologies to improve services and reach patients. The Innovator’…

Pratteln, Switzerland, November 25, 2020 – Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) announces that it has issued 937,928 treasury shares. The number of shares recorded in the commercial register has been increased to 18,983,321 shares.   On November 24, 2020, 937,928 shares were issued out of the existing authorized capital as treasury shares. Santhera expects to use these shares for purposes of its financing arrangements. The new shares will be listed as per November 25, 2020.     About Santhera Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines for rare neuromuscular and pulmonary diseases with high unmet medical need. Santhera has an exclusive license for all indications worldwide to vamo…

Start-up from Imperial College London and the Francis Crick Institute brings together 15 years of world-leading research on N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) and breakthrough discoveries related to its inhibition in cancer Initial financing of £4.5M from venture capital syndicate of experienced life sciences investors, Sofinnova Partners and Brandon Capital Partners Led by a team of world-class scientists and drug developers with a track record of big pharma/biotech and academic successes Stevenage, UK, November 16, 2020 - Myricx Pharma (‘Myricx’), a drug discovery company focused on developing small molecule inhibitors that selectively target the human N-myristoyltransferases (NMT) in cancer, today unveiled an initial £4.5 million in seed financing from experienced venture investors, Sofinno…

[Marlow, UK] – November 17th 2020 – OPEN Health Group today announced that Rob Barker has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Barker succeeds outgoing CEO and Co-Founder, David Rowley, who is stepping down after 10 years as CEO. A portfolio company of Amulet Capital Partners, LP, OPEN Health is a leading multi-disciplinary health communications and market access group. Mr. Barker has approximately 30 years of executive leadership experience in the biopharmaceuticals industry, including multiple roles at leading medical communications and strategy consulting firms. Most recently, he served as CEO of OPEN Health’s Medical Communications practice, having joined the business six years ago. Mr. Barker expressed his enthusiasm for the continued growth and success of OPEN Health: “I am ex…

NHS equity ownership in Sensyne now 11.7% ~ Sensyne model shows benefit to NHS and UK patients ~ Oxford, U.K. 16 November 2020: Sensyne Health plc (LSE: SENS) (“Sensyne” or the “Company” or the “Group”), the UK Clinical AI company, today announces that, following its new non-exclusive Strategic Research Agreement (“SRA”) with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust announced this morning, the Company has achieved a major objective set at its IPO in August 2018 of growing its anonymised patient database to five million patients. The new SRA now brings the combined total of anonymised patient data available for analysis by Sensyne to 5.6 million patients.  The data enables the ethical application of clinical artificial intelligence research on anonymised patient data to improve patient care and acc…

World Antibiotic Awareness Week aims to increase awareness of global antibiotic resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.A global action plan to tackle the growing problem of resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines was endorsed at the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2015. One of the key objectives of the plan is to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education and training.

(Reuters) - Pfizer Inc PFE.N on Monday said its experimental vaccine was more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on initial data from a large study, a major victory in the fight against a pandemic that has killed over 1 million people, roiled the world's economy and upended daily life. Pfizer and German partner BioNTech SE BNTX.O are the first drugmakers to show successful data from a large-scale clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine. The companies said they have so far found no serious safety concerns and expect to seek U.S. emergency use authorization later this month. If authorized, the number of vaccine doses will initially be limited. Many questions also remain including how long the vaccine will provide protection. However the news provides hope that other vaccines in…

Forxiga is the first SGLT2 inhibitor approved in the EU for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in adult patients with and without type-2 diabetes AstraZeneca’s Forxiga (dapagliflozin) has been approved in the European Union (EU) for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in adults with and without type-2 diabetes (T2D). Heart failure (HF) is a life-threatening chronic disease that prevents the heart from pumping sufficient levels of blood around the body. It affects 15 million people in the EU, at least half of whom have a reduced ejection fraction,1-3 which occurs when the left ventricle muscle is not able to contract adequately and therefore expels less oxygen-rich blood into the body.4-6 The approval by the European Commissio…

Increasing scientific evidence[1] demonstrates that climate change and nature loss are impacting the world and human health in many ways, including: extreme heat contributing to deaths from diseases; increased spread of infectious diseases and air pollution exacerbating respiratory diseases. Today, GSK has announced ambitious new environmental sustainability goals in both climate and nature, aiming to have a net zero impact on climate and a net positive impact on nature by 2030. The new goals form part of GSK’s Trust priority and ESG approach, which support the company’s aim to create long-term value for shareholders and meet the needs of society. Over the next decade, GSK will invest in measures to reduce its environmental impact, in restoration programmes to balance the remaining impact…

Ambulance crews in London have responded to almost 40 suicides or suicide attempts a day this year.The shocking figures come as tonight’s episode of the hit BBC TV show ‘Ambulance’ features a mum who calls 999 after finding her 36-year-old son hanging.Call handler Carly tells Ursula how to give her son chest compressions as ambulance crews are sent to their home. When advanced paramedic Kevin arrives he realises they cannot save Daniel. Instead he comforts Ursula as she says goodbye to her son.Kevin said: “I have certainly seen an increase in suicide over the past 20 years. The majority of them tend to be male.“You feel an empathy for the family members for what they are going through and the heartache they are going to suffer.“We haven’t found all the answers in dealing with mental health…

Alphega Pharmacy has launched a new app, developed in conjunction with Healthera for its network of over 1,000 pharmacy members. The patient-facing app, which is available to download to any mobile device, is designed with the patient in mind, as more and more people turn to digital solutions to fulfil their prescriptions and other healthcare service requirements. The Alphega Pharmacy app uses the UK‟s market leading technology platform for patients and pharmacies. The app offers a seamless digital patient experience, enabling Alphega Pharmacy members to compete with the ever growing list of competitors who offer a digital service for prescription ordering. The impact of COVID-19 has changed shopper habits with more and more people now using digital channels to shop online or engage with t…

The multi award-winning medical technology innovator ‘TestCard’, which allows people to diagnose common conditions and diseases using the camera on their mobile phone, has secured £4.5m in its latest funding round.  Secured via corporate finance and venture capital firm ‘West Hill’, TestCard will use the new wave of funding for new product development, advancing regulatory applications, international expansion and further product launches. It will also help bridge the business through to its Series ‘A’ round, currently anticipated for the second quarter of 2021. With the aim of giving people control over their health and taking further strain off the NHS, Testcard’s ground-breaking at-home UTI testing kit, which launches in November, turns a smartphone camera into a clinical grade scanner,…

London, 20 October 2020: GPDQ, the UK’s leading on-demand GP service, today announces the launch of London’s first private drive thru Covid-19 testing facility operating with immediate effect.  Following the wide spread demand for Covid-19 PCR tests, with people all over the country unable to receive tests in a timely manner, GPDQ has launched the service in London to meet this increased demand. If people are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, patients can book a 10 minute slot at the site in Hadley Wood using GPDQ’s online system, and the test will then be conducted using swabs on-site at the centre. Should the 24 hour result come back positive, as part of the service you will be called by a GP who will provide a consultation on how best to manage your symptoms and address and concerns the p…

UK-based Contract Research Organisation (CRO) Gentronix – the largest independent genetic toxicology CRO in Europe - has appointed a new Operations Director to accelerate its strategic growth plans.  Laura Hinton, whose previous role was as Director of Scientific Operations at Cyprotex, will join the senior executive team working alongside fellow Operations Director Nick Billinton to facilitate a ‘scale at pace’ growth strategy for the business in line with burgeoning market demand as well as growth into new markets and service areas. As a leading predictive toxicology contract research organisation, Gentronix’s work helps develop safe products used by millions of people around the world including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, fragrances, foods and cosmetics. The business has a specialis…