BioSpectrum Asia - June 2023

Tapping Full Potential Of Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are another powerful tool in the biotech industry’s arsenal for targeted drug delivery. Their extremely small size, measured in nanometres, makes them highly effective carriers for therapeutic agents. These miniature carriers can be customised to encase drugs, benefiting from their biocompatibility, controlled release capabilities, stability, and low toxicity. The precision offered by nanoparticles opens up a world of possibilities for treating various diseases, including infectious diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders. These tiny particles offer tremendous potential for targeted drug delivery, enhanced therapeutic efficacy and precise disease targeting. Moreover, the global market for nanoparticle drug delivery is projected to grow significantly, reaching $123.6 billion by 2025, according to BCC Research. Let’s deep dive into the fascinating field of nanomedicines, advancements and challenges in nanoparticle drug delivery.

Asian biosciences industry shines with multiple innovations

COVID-19 was a wake-up call for the vaccine industry globally and in Asia, and a catalyst for vaccine R&D. Global majors like BioNTech, Moderna, MSD and Sanofi have unveiled plans to expand footprints in Asia, while local players are striving to catch up fast in developing novel vaccines, in addition focusing on other therapeutic areas like oncology and cell and gene therapy. With these developments Asia is emerging as a biosciences innovation hub.

Devising a viable global strategy to combat Cholera

Since mid-2021, the world is facing an acute upsurge of the 7th cholera pandemic characterised by the number, size and concurrence of multiple outbreaks, the spread to areas free of cholera for decades and alarming high mortality rates. Based on the current situation and lack of vaccines and other resources, the World Health Organisation (WHO) assesses the risk at the global level as very high.

How Digital Transformation Strategy could transform Indonesia's healthcare system for the better

Since the COVID-19 epidemic, the digital healthcare business in Indonesia has rapidly expanded. The country needed to modernise its healthcare system, including digitalisation, in addition to enhancing performance and accessibility. Concerns over Indonesia’s healthcare future led to investments in digital healthcare, and the government is now working to encourage its spread.

\"We plan to manufacture one million tests of VANSCAN Typhoid RT PCR test in our first year in India\"

Indian firm Vanguard Diagnostics recently launched the VANSCAN Typhoid RT PCR Test, which is India’s first Typhoid RT PCR test based on patented technology. With typhoid fever being common in developing countries, India is an endemic country for typhoid with a burden of approximately 4.8 million cases per year. Veena Kohli, Chief Executive Officer, Vanguard Diagnostics spoke, at length, with BioSpectrum about the growing cases of typhoid in the country and how the new diagnostic solution can solve this problem. Edited excerpts:

\"Bringing a drug to market successfully goes beyond proving its efficacy in treating a particular disease\"

Kyowa Kirin, a Japan-based Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company has been expanding its pipeline in rare diseases, with a focus on endocrinology and paediatrics. In 2020, the company launched a corporate venture capital firm to invest in early-stage companies, particularly for research and development (R&D) platforms that complement their own research and will hopefully lead to future product development. Dr Tan Boon Heon, President, Kyowa Kirin Asia Pacific, highlights the company’s tech-driven innovation approach, emerging trends in the pharma industry and the increasingly stringent regulatory landscape. Edited excerpts:

\"We'll focus on genomic medicine and growing our business in China\"

In May 2023, Cytiva and the life sciences business of Pall Corporation completed their integration and are now united as one business under the Cytiva brand. Emmanuel Ligner, President and CEO, Cytiva and Danaher Group Executive shares some pertinent details with BioSpectrum Asia about the merger, including the strategic rationale behind the decision, the impact on employees, customers, and stakeholders. Ligner reveals the long-term vision and goals for the newly-merged company. Edited excerpts:

Turning Microbiome Therapy into Modern Panacea

The United States Food and Drug Administration’s (US FDA) approval of Seres Therapeutics’ (USA) VOWST in April 2023 and Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ (Switzerland) REBYOTA in November 2022, has marked a pivotal moment in the microbiome therapeutics landscape. There are many disease areas with significant unmet medical needs that are linked to the state of an individual’s microbiome. In recent years, there has been growing interest and research in the field of microbiome therapies. Researchers are exploring the potential of manipulating the microbiome to prevent, treat, or manage a wide range of health issues, including gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. Let’s explore this new era of microbiome therapeutics and challenges in developing such therapies.

Can India's National Medical Devices Policy Unleash Sector's Full Potential?

The National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 that got the approval of the government of India on April 26 seems to have made the medical devices sector happy. The slew of strategies mentioned in the policy assures a win–win outcome for the manufacturers as well as patients. Experts are upbeat about the projected growth of the sector in the near future. The policy aims to bring a range of interventions in a coherent manner that would facilitate focussed and efficient support and facilitation for the sector by the respective agencies. Let’s explore further.

Waters Corp launches next generation Xevo TQ Absolute IVD mass spectrometer

Waters Corporation has unveiled its next generation Xevo TQ Absolute IVD mass spectrometer, expanding its family of MassTrak IVD LC-MS/MS Systems for clinical diagnostic applications