Category: Features
US FDA approves first ALS drug treatment in over 20 years
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new drug to treat the fatal neurological disorder ALS, becoming the first such regulatory approval in the US in more than 20 years. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes known as […]
Pelican BioThermal opens two new service centers in Belgium, Puerto Rico
Cold chain global leader Pelican BioThermal has opened two new service centers in Belgium and Puerto Rico that will serve as additional depots for the company’s Crēdo on Demand rental program. Serving the global pharmaceuticals sectors, the new facilities in […]
Roche, Novartis give financial backing to French gene therapy start-up Vivet
Swiss drugmakers Roche and Novartis have provided financial backing French gene therapy start-up Vivet Therapeutics, with the latter raising EUR37.5 million (US$41 million) in an initial financing round. The funds will be used by Vivet to advance a diversified pipeline […]
WHO to bring cheaper biosimilar versions of cancer drugs to poorer countries
The World Health Organization (WHO) is moving to bring cheaper biosimilar versions of expensive biotech cancer drugs to poorer countries in order to make such medicines more widely accessible to patients. WHO is launching a pilot project this year to […]
US prescription drug spending forecasted to reach US$610 bn by 2021
US spending on prescription drugs is expected to rise by 4-7% through 2021, reaching US$580 to US$610 billion, according to a report released by Quintiles IMS Holding, lowering its previous forecast. Drug makers are facing increasing pricing pressure and competition […]
People with non-O blood type have slightly higher risk of heart attack, stroke
People with a non-O blood group have a slightly increased risk of stroke and heart attack, scientists say, due to higher levels of a blood-clotting protein present in the A, B and AB blood groups. The findings could help doctors […]
Malaria can be eliminated in India, Asia Pacific region by 2030 –APLMA
The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) is standing behind their conviction that malaria can be eliminated in India and across the whole region of Asia Pacific by the year 2030. Malaria is endemic in India with approximately 14% of […]
Philippines passes first mental health bill in the country
The Philippine Senate has approved the country’s first mental health policy that seeks to integrate mental health services and programs in the public health system. Senate Bill No. 1354, or the Philippine Mental Health Law, mandates the government to put […]
Chinese scientists use smartphone app to control, treat diabetes in mice
Researchers at the East China Normal University in Shanghaiused a smartphone application to remotely control the activity of living cells inside an animal, fusing biology and technology to control blood sugar levels in mice with diabetes. The Chinese researchers said […]
One million babies in the US born using IVF, other lab-assisted methods
At least one million babies in the US have been born with the use of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other lab-assisted techniques, a new report says. The latest IVF and other assisted reproductive techniques (ART) report shows that nearly 68,000 […]
