Business
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
“Transparent partnerships, will enable emerging biotech and biopharma companies to deliver innovative solutions”
IQVIA has announced the Japan and Asia Pacific (JAPAC) expansion of IQVIA Biotech, a tailored approach to delivering integrated clinical solutions at an accelerated pace. As stated in a recent white paper by IQVIA Biotech, the total pipeline of emerging biopharma (EBP) companies in JAPAC is equivalent to roughly two-thirds of the entire global biopharma industry pipeline.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia August 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Singapore buys sotrovimab from GSK, Vir Bio to treat COVID-19
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Singapore and Vir Biotechnology have signed an agreement with the Government of Singapore for the supply of sotrovimab, an investigational single-dose monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 who do not require oxygen supplementation and who are at risk of progressing to severe COVID-19.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia August 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
“Keep investing in expanding manufacturing capacity is our commitment to customers”
Responding to the increased demand for products that are used in emerging modalities such as gene therapy, and are currently in high demand for the manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines and therapies, Cytiva is investing $1.5 billion over two years to meet growing demand for biotechnology solutions.
5 min |
BioSpectrum Asia August 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Japan brings data scientist training programme for pharma industry
Japanese firms Chugai Pharmaceutical and Albert Inc have jointly developed a data scientist training programme for the pharmaceutical industry.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia August 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
Is the 5G health scare unfounded?
The introduction of the 5G network has been mired in numerous controversies. Governments across the globe, activists and telecom operators are embroiled in a bitter fight, filing lawsuits and protesting in large numbers. Although most of the available research on electromagnetic fields (EMF) reveals that there are no harmful effects from mobile radiation, some studies do reveal that it has the potential to damage the very structure of the DNA. Cancer, impaired reproductive health and numerous other disorders, including psychiatric, have been attributed to 5G. Will the implementation of the 5G network have serious health implications, or are these fears unfounded? We try to weigh-in the opposing sides.
8 min |
BioSpectrum Asia August 2021
BioSpectrum Asia
China approves first CAR T-cell therapy
Kite, a Gilead Company, has announced that Fosun Kite Biotechnology Co., Ltd.,
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia August 2021
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 |