Business
BioSpectrum Asia
Australia develops quick test to detect jaundice in infants
A fast, cheap paper test that can detect jaundice in newborns is on the verge of bedside validation and commercialisation, and distribution to health practitioners across the world.
1 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 |
BioSpectrum Asia June 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Is India's War On Covid-19 Losing Steam?
As the vaccination drive continues, India is faced with a shortage of vaccines considering the population of the country, which currently stands at a staggering 1,390,605,073, as per Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data. The Indian government, to address this stark reality, has opened its doors to foreign vaccines and are fast-tracking their approval
9 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Singapore develops test to detect mutating coronavirus
A team of scientists led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has developed a diagnostic test that can detect the virus that causes COVID-19 even after it has gone through mutations.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
“We've unveiled many novel analytical workflows which can be used in developing vaccines”
Joe Fox, President, SCIEX, US
3 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
“India should focus on innovating drugs and molecules to emerge as a global leader”
S Sridhar, President, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), India
3 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Why Life-course Immunisation cannot be ignored anymore
As the World Health Organisation says for over 200 years, vaccines have protected us against diseases that threaten lives and prohibit our development. With the help of vaccines, we can progress without the burden of diseases, which cost humanity hundreds of millions of lives. This World Immunisation Week (observed on April 24-30) is a reminder that vaccines work – not just against COVID-19 but also in protecting people of all ages against various other diseases.
7 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
“Respond, Recover and Reimagine are vital in any crisis and have often not been the focus of a preparation strategy”
Antonio De Castro, Senior Industry Consultant, Global Health and Life Sciences Practice, SAS Health, Singapore
7 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Sanofi's $480M vaccine plant to set new benchmark in manufacturing agility
Sanofi Pasteur is gearing up with a series of investments into its global vaccine manufacturing network to tackle the future pandemics using futuristic manufacturing capabilities ensuring quality and scale.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Hong Kong links hyocholic acids with diabetes treatment
A series of studies led by researchers from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) have revealed that hyocholic acid and its derivatives (collectively known as HCAs), a component of bile acids that facilitate fat digestion, are a promising risk indicator of type 2 diabetes.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
FAKE DRUGS - BOOM PUMMELS PHARMA INDUSTRY
Fake pharmaceuticals are continuing to flood into clinics and hospitals across Asia despite monitored regulations in China and India, when suppliers crossing the border to less-regulated countries. Counterfeiters are moving across certain less regulated locations in Southeast Asia to sustain the trade. Pharmaceutical industry is committed and thriving to sustain and secure the legitimate supply chain. Given the complexity of the supply chain, this is an essential, but laborious effort that requires an efficient, multi-faceted strategy. A holistic approach comprising the use of concealed and unconcealed anti-counterfeiting features, a well-regulated, secure supply chain and appropriate laws and penalties to deter and punish counterfeiters is necessary to provide maximum patient protection.
10+ min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Bioreactor sales upsurge with ramped-up COVID-19 vaccine production
Hrishikesh Kadam, Senior Research Content Developer, Global Market Insights, India
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia May 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Seegene's New Covid-19 Test Can Recognize 10 Virus Variants
Seegene, a South Korea based biotechnology company specializing in molecular diagnostics, has finished the development of the world’s first-ever variant diagnostic test that can simultaneously detect COVID-19 and screen multiple virus variants, with a single multiplex real-time PCR testing.
1 min |
April 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
UK Grants Additional Funds To Vaccines Manufacturing Centre
The Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC) has been granted an additional £47.6 million by the UK government to support the expansion and acceleration of the programme.
1 min |
April 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Argentina Launches Digital Services For Pandemic Management
The Argentina government has presented new digital services for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country: the Cuidar Escuelas platform, for registering suspected and confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in educational establishments; the digital vaccination card against the disease and the registry so that the personnel, who work in educational institutions can register their wish to receive the vaccine.
1 min |
April 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Japan To Create New Services For Clinical Trials, Drug Development
National Cancer Center Japan (NCCJ), established by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, has entered into a partnership with Fujitsu to explore ways that real-world data, including medical information from electronic records, can be leveraged to contribute to the development of new drugs, clinical trials, and preventive medicine in pharmaceutical companies.
1 min |