Australia invests $1.89B for health and medical research transformation

The government is investing in a once in a generation transformation of health and medical research in Australia.

NZ suggests new way to prevent rheumatic heart disease progression

A new way of delivering treatment to prevent rheumatic heart disease progression is significantly less painful than an almost 70-year-old existing treatment, a University of Otago-led study in New Zealand (NZ) has found.

WHO prequalifies Takeda's dengue vaccine

A new vaccine for dengue has received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO).

GIBF invests $10M in Israel's Nectin Therapeutics to advance ADCs

Guangzhou-Israel Biotechnology Fund (GIBF) has invested $10 million in Nectin Therapeutics.

HOYA Group to distribute AIassisted lesion detection device in US

Japan-based HOYA Group Company, PENTAX of America, Inc. (PENTAX Medical, a division of HOYA Group) and MAGENTIQ-EYE, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based medical device company, have announced their intention to form a partnership in the field of AI in gastroenterology and to examine further collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Saudi Arabia pledges $500M to protect children from polio

At the first-ever World Economic Forum (WEF) Special Meeting hosted in Riyadh recently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has pledged $500 million over the next five years to support the work of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

Scientists explore use of COVID-19 variant vaccine against other coronaviruses

An international consortium of researchers developing a vaccine against troublesome COVID-19 variants will receive additional CEPI funding to investigate whether it could also protect against other deadly coronaviruses.

How Thai Biotech is Thriving with Innovations

Thailand's biotech industry is rapidly evolving, positioning itself as a key player in the ASEAN regions and the global biotechnology landscape. With a strategic focus on research and development, supportive government policies and a burgeoning ecosystem of startups and research institutions, Thailand is emerging as a hotspot for biotech innovation in Southeast Asia.

Why multi-use real estate is in demand for life sciences companies

India's Biocon, Enzene Biosciences, and Meteoric Biopharmacueticals, Japan's Daiichi Sankyo, and Singapore's Hummingbird Bioscience, have all recently sought to lease, acquire, and set up shop in a mixed-use space in the US. And for those companies who wish to enter or expand in the US market, New Jersey is a top choice due to its existing infrastructure, cultural connections, robust talent and location.

"The dialogue surrounding pharmaceutical gowning is experiencing significant transformation in 2024 & beyond"

Finland-based Lindström, a leading global provider of workwear, cleanroom workwear, and mat services, is making significant strides in its expansion efforts, particularly in key markets such as India, China, Vietnam, and Turkey.

"The rise of the middle class in Southeast Asia is driving the adoption of NGS"

Taiwan-based ACT Genomics, a genomics company specialising in precision oncology with operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and the UK.

"There's a growing focus on developing novel ADCs tailored to address unmet medical needs"

Nona Biosciences, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed Harbour BioMed is an emerging leader in Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

MedTech's sustainability mission

MedTech, not unlike other industries, hurts the environment and must find ways to mitigate this harm. Several leading top medtech companies have announced environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. What steps are medtech companies taking to improve sustainability and how much further do they need to go to make a dent in carbon emissions? Let's dig deeper.

"India is making strides in developing its indigenous population genomics dataset and analysing its microbiome"

With an aim to support and nurture the unique requirements of deep tech startups in India, the government of India has released a draft policy called the National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) in July 2023.

IPO FEVER GRIPS BIOTECH INDUSTRY

After two tumultuous years marred by geopolitical tensions and recession, the biotech sector IPOs (initial public offering) is showing signs of recovery. Experts are hopeful that this year will revive the public equity markets for biotech companies. Twelve biotech companies have gone public this year, raising a total of nearly $1.5 billion, compared to a total of only nineteen biotech companies, throughout 2023. Are biotech IPOs poised for an upswing? Is the worst finally over for biotech IPOs? Let's find out.

New South Wales government injects $5M for critical research to address Silicosis crisis

The New South Wales (NSW) government in Australia has committed $5 million in critical funding for silicosis research and a patient support programme for individuals and their families navigating the health risks associated with exposure to silica dust.

Singapore approves new asthma indication for GSK's Trelegy Ellipta

GSK Singapore has announced that the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has approved a new indication and a new strength for Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol 'FF/UMEC/VI') for the maintenance treatment of asthma in patients aged 18 years and older who are not adequately controlled with a combination of a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).

What's APAC's Recipe of Success in CLINICAL TRIALS MARKET?

Asia-Pacific APAC) is emerging as one of the most promising and resilient markets for clinical trials. According to a report by Clinical Trials Arena, between 2017 and 2022, the region posted growth in clinical trials of around 10 per cent, outstripping growth in other major regions including the US, Europe and the rest of the world RoW). Asia’s growth far exceeded the overall average figure of 5.3 per cent per year. As of 2023, the number of trials reached 14,346 in APAC. Let's delve into the thriving clinical research landscape in the region and explore the trends driving its growth.

From Haematologic to Autoimmune DiseaseThe CAR-T Therapy Second Revolution

Cell and gene therapies have revolutionised the field of medicine, offering new treatment options for patients with various diseases that, by type of disease or severity, were considered untreatable until a few years ago. Rapid technological advancements in genetic and biological engineering and improvements in the quality and standardisation of the manufacturing process are fostering a marked increase in clinical development of these advanced therapies, generally named cell and gene therapies CGT), and they are expected to receive more approvals in the near future.

"Biotech startups still need support in terms of talent, and resources to bring their innovations to market"

Raymond Chow has recently stepped in as the Vice President, Asia Pacific at USheadquartered Cytiva, a global provider of technologies and services for biological therapies, formerly known as GE Healthcare Life Sciences.

"We are exploring opportunities to collaborate with startups and incubators"

Agilent Technologies, a global leader in analytical and clinical laboratory technologies, has named Padraig McDonnell CEO-elect and Chief Operating Officer (COO), succeeding current President and CEO Mike McMullen.

"Australia offers a simple, supportive and robust regulatory process to initiate human trials efficiently"

US-based Uvax Bio, LLC, a spin-off vaccine company from Scripps Research, employs proprietary 1c-SApNP platform technology invented by Dr Jiang Zhu of Scripps Research to develop and commercialise prophylactic vaccines for challenging infectious diseases.

"Regulatory encouragement of advanced tech, including AI will accelerate clinical trials in APAC"

Lokavant Holdings, a US-based clinical trial intelligence technology company provides clinical trial intelligence that enables study teams to make data-driven decisions, as well as risk-based quality management and monitoring services to pharmaceutical companies and contract research organisations (CROs).

What Are the Main Challenges of Modern Clinical Trials?

With a cumulative total of almost 478,000 globally registered trials from the year 2000 to 2023, and growing at around 10 per cent a year in the last five years, the pharmaceutical industry continues to invest in clinical trials as the gold-standard test of therapeutic safety and efficacy. In addition, as the world’s economies and populations move in new directions, the share of non-US trials has reached 54 per cent, a trend that is likely to continue, driven by demographics and epidemiology. As the pace accelerates, trial managers and clinicians face a significant challenge: the explosive growth of data volumes. To succeed in the future, clinical trials need to increase efficiency and better utilise clinical trial data to support informed clinical and operational decision-making.

How APAC Has Turned into Clinical Trial Behemoth

From being a consistent participant in clinical trial conduct worldwide, the APAC has emerged as a major power. A number of causes, including the region's thriving drug development innovation and the ongoing presence of international pharmaceutical corporations conducting multiregional studies, are driving this growth.

Ushering Fourth Industrial Revolution in Telangana

Taking advantage of the 21st edition of BioAsia 2024 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) in Madhapur, the Government of Telangana, a southern state in India, leveraged the confluence of the global platform to spearhead initiatives aimed at propelling the state into the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR).

How Indian Biotech Investments are on a Doubling Spree

A latest report by Ankur Capital provides a closer look at the investments made in biotechnology in the last decade in the country.

"AI will be integrally involved in not only the diagnosis of cancer but also in determining the prognosis and best therapeutic option”

South Korea-based Deep Bio, a pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) healthcare firm focused on cancer pathology, is making waves in the industry.

"Because of its specificity and selectivity, ADCS have the potential to reduce adverse side effects and improve patient survival"

Japan-headquartered Daiichi Sankyo, the global healthcare company, launched its subsidiary Daiichi Sankyo Singapore Pte. Ltd. to bridge unmet needs in oncology.

Can Test, Treat, Track Beat Malaria?

Malaria has long been a major public health concern in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in South East Asia (SEA) affecting millions of people.