Business
BioSpectrum Asia
Holborn Wells, SpeedBio India JV to invest $1M for IVD manufacturing
SpeedBio is one of the leading IVD promoters in the region with a team of former executives from leading diagnostics and healthcare companies such as Siemens and CORE Diagnostics.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Cipla launches India's first pneumotach-based wireless spirometer
Cipla’s Spirofy is a result of five years of in-house research by the Integrated Product Development (IPD) team, and it aims to transform OAD diagnosis in India.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Chinese Startups Accelerate Innovative Drugs R&D For COVID-19
China-based startups Insilico Medicine and Westlake Pharma have announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop innovative small-molecule drugs for COVID-19.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Sep 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Vax Cocktail Endgame Against Covid-19
The world has been under the deadly spell of the coronavirus, with multiple waves of the pandemic decimating lives and economy in a fell swoop. In a record short span of time, numerous vaccines were developed to combat COVID-19. However, the ground reality seems, as per some experts, that administering a mix of vaccines presents better outcomes. Whether this approach holds good, needs a closer look.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Sep 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Taiwan allows mixing of COVID-19 vaccines for healthcare workers
NEW SUPPLY AGREEMENT IS IN ADDITION TO THE PRIOR AGREEMENT FOR 5 MILLION DOSES IN 2021.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Sep 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
SOARING SOUTH KOREAN MEDICAL DEVICES MARKET
The pandemic induced rise in healthcare expenditure has catalysed the growth of the medical devices market. Growing healthcare needs are significantly influencing the development of novel diagnostic and surgical tools. To meet the regional and international demand for medical devices, South Korea is taking all the necessary steps to support the country’s major market players. We shall take a closer look at the big movers and shakers of the industry.
10+ min |
BioSpectrum Asia Sep 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
SARS-CoV-2: A Biochemical Treatise on its Past, Present & Future
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is unprecedented but equally unprecedented is the contribution of scientists who have helped us in understanding the mechanisms by which it infects human beings and also, developing a variety of vaccines to protect the masses, in a year’s time, which can be called truly groundbreaking. This article gives an overview of the progress made by scientists around the world working round the clock in developing an understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 evolution and COVID-19 disease pathogenesis, and also makes an attempt to suggest the possible ways of coping with this pandemic if we have to co-exist with it forever!
4 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Sep 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Resisting & Adapting to Infectious Diseases to Prevent Future Pandemics
Understanding the science behind infectious disease R&D, and what interventions are being implemented to potentially prevent future pandemics caused by emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Sep 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
CEPI advances next-gen COVID-19 vax development
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), based in Norway, has announced that it has entered into a funding agreement with US-based startup Gritstone bio, Inc. to advance the development of a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19 variants.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Sep 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
'With an array of partners, we are tackling some of the biggest unmet needs in mental health diseases'
Revealing new answers through precise analysis of the gut microbiome, Australiabased startup Microba Life Sciences is strengthening its presence in the market by partnering with global leaders to turn its discoveries into transformative solutions for medical diagnosis and treatment. To find out more about the solutions being offered by the startup in the microbiome space, BioSpectrum Asia reached out to Dr Luke Holtham Reid, President, Microba Life Sciences, Australia, soon after the World Microbiome Day, celebrated on June 27 every year.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Sep 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
'For good technology investments, benefits and cost-efficiencies outweigh cost factors overtime'
Recent innovations in the industry are, demonstrably, supporting hospitals and healthcare workers in planning for safer and more efficient use of their resources, while minimising waste. Better still, these systems can even help prevent the spread of viruses in hospitals where frontline workers are at great risk. With the increasing concerns around the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, BioSpectrum Asia spoke to healthcare expert, Dirk Dumortier, Head of Business Development Smart-City and Healthcare (Asia Pacific), Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise (ALE), Singapore on prospects and gateways towards progressive healthcare system for Asia-Pacific regions. Edited excerpts;
4 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Sep 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
'Digital health innovation is no longer an option, but a necessity for health systems'
The Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed), has established a formal Digital Health Committee in order to focus on core advocacy themes such as interoperability, regulatory, cybersecurity, and reimbursement. On the latter point, the committee conducted global literature review combined with field research across the Asia Pacific, consulting public and private stakeholders, healthcare practitioners, and many other medical ecosystem players. APACMed study formulated the current state of Digital Health policies in the Asia Pacific, covering Australia and India as the two archetypes, which are poised uniquely with their own set of challenges and advantages. Roberta Sarno, Digital Health Manager, APACMed, Singapore trains the spotlight on the extensive research conducted by APACMed Digital Health Committee on these policy pathways for Asia Pacific. Edited excerpts;
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Sep 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Korea builds brainmimicking interface to study neurological diseases
A research team and collaborators at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has revealed a newly developed hydrogel-based flexible brain-machine interface.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia August 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
5G's Healthcare Implications To Watch For
From remote diagnosis, remote surgery, real-time monitoring to expanded telehealth etc. 5G represents a host of opportunities for healthcare. Let’s look at the possibilities of this technology for healthcare and how it can help bring a paradigm shift in the sector.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia August 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Changing face of mental health assistance in Asia
The Asian mental health industry is still relatively new, largely due to barriers like stigma and limited access to care. However, there are several startups that have made major strides in addressing those challenges and attracting investor attention. We shall take a look at a few companies that reinforce the idea that life can be challenging, and that it’s normal to sometimes seek mental health support.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia August 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Does The World Need Global Vax Passport?
Governments around the world are exploring the potential benefits of using ‘vaccine passports’ as a way to reopening the economy by identifying and permitting only those who are protected against COVID-19. While the world awaits herd immunity, millions of vaccinated individuals across the world are eagerly anticipating trade and operational plans at the vaccination horizons. Border checkpoints are reviving vigilance around the globe and countries are exploring novel methodologies to revive international travel, an essential social and business component at present.
10+ min |
BioSpectrum Asia July 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
3 trends to drive and shape the future of digital health
A year on, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world continue to be profound. More than 90 per cent of global executives polled by McKinsey and Company believe COVID-19 will fundamentally change their businesses, and 85 per cent predict lasting changes in customers’ preferences. Being on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 has placed unparalleled demands on the healthcare industry no less – and quite possibly more – than any other sector.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia July 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Making gene therapy affordable with droplet digital PCR
Gene therapy has the potential to bring relief to millions of individuals with diseases ranging from β-thalassemia to sickle cell disease across Asia and beyond.
3 min |
BioSpectrum Asia July 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
SINGAPORE TAKES ON CANCER WITH INNOVATIVE STREAK
Although 2020 was more focused on finding solutions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, it also pushed the boundaries of cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Researchers across Asia have continued to make meaningful strides against cancer in 2020. One such remarkable example is that of Singapore. The scientific community across the country is setting new examples of innovation by focusing majorly on two aspects- chemotherapy and immunotherapy, to fight this deadly disease. While the socioeconomic burden inflicted by cancer is inevitable, Singapore’s innovative streak for developing effective treatment of cancer is set to mitigate this socioeconomic impact, and help patients maintain their quality of life, and remain productive.
10 min |
BioSpectrum Asia July 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
“We will continue to focus on high-value targets in biopharma”
Hummingbird Bioscience, an innovative clinical-stage biotech company with its APAC headquarter in Singapore, with 60 employees is focused on developing precision therapies against hard-to-drug targets via a unique data-driven systems biology approach.
2 min |
BioSpectrum Asia July 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Singapore Allows Use Of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine In Adolescents
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) at Singapore has extended the authorisation of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in adolescents of ages 12 to 15 years for the prevention of COVID-19.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia June 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Africa CDC Takes New Steps To Fight Covid-19
African Ministers of Health have committed to support the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (Africa CDC), new initiatives to double down on the ongoing continental recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia June 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Is 2.16B Jabs Target Unachievable For India?
India currently is suffering from an acute shortage of vaccines, due to which various vaccination centres have had to shut down vaccinations for several days. To ease access to vaccines, the Government of India has permitted states to source COVID-19 vaccines from manufacturers across the globe.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia June 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Shineco to pick 51% stake in Taiwan's Mayah Biological
Shineco, Inc, a producer and distributor of Chinese herbal medicines, organic agricultural and hemp products, has announced that the company and Mayah Biological Holdings, a British Virgin Islands Company headquartered in Taiwan Biomedical Park, has signed a Proposal for Purchase of Equity Interest of Mayah Biological Holding Limited, with respect to the potential purchase of at least 51 per cent equity interests in Mayah Biological by Shineco.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia June 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Heated startup race is on to capture AI-driven APAC healthcare
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem in healthcare has grown in the recent past, as companies are looking to capitalise on the benefits provided by AI to improve patient outcomes and enable convenient, cost-effective access to healthcare solutions. In addition to the significant increase in digital penetration and internet connectivity, favourable government policies (e.g., China, Thailand and the Philippines) have been key driving factors of growth in health-tech startups across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. AI in the APAC healthcare market is set to grow substantially due to increasing investments by Venture Capitalists in AI healthcare startups, cross-industry partnerships and collaborations.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia June 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
US approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia June 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Singapore advances stem cell tech to first-in-man clinical trial
Institutes and centres under the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC) are joining hands together with Singapore’s first private cord blood bank, Cordlife Group Limited (Cordlife), to test a novel technology that expands the number of blood-forming stem cells from stored umbilical cord blood (UCB) in a first-in-man study in Singapore.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia June 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
How leveraging intelligent data architecture fast tracks new drug launches
Clinical trials in medical and pharmaceutical research must deal with extreme amounts of diverse data which are generated across several institutions. A flexible data architecture can help shorten time to market.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia June 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
AUSTRALIAN AGED CARE GETS BOOSTER DOSE
In 2017, there were 3.8 million Australians aged 65 and over (comprising 15 per cent of the total population) —increasing from 319,000 (5 per cent) in 1927 and 1.3 million (9 per cent) in 1977. The number and proportion of older Australians is expected to continue to grow. By 2057, it is projected that there will be 8.8 million older people in Australia (22 per cent of the population); by 2097, 12.8 million people (25 per cent) will be aged 65 and over according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2017. Looking at the growing trend, the government of Australia has a separate ministry for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services and undertaken many steps to support them with respect, care and dignity.
10+ min |
BioSpectrum Asia June 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Expert panel to advise WHO on spread of zoonotic diseases
International organisations have come together to launch a new One Health High-Level Expert Panel to improve understanding of how diseases with the potential to trigger pandemics, emerge and spread.
1 min |