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.

Engineering CAR T cell sharpshooters

Approved CAR T-cell therapies have shown remarkable results in patients with certain types of blood cancers.

Addressing Challenges in Cell Therapy Manufacturing

Even with significant advancements, there are still anumber of issues with cell therapy manufacturing that need to be resolved as production grows.

"We anticipate India will adopt decentralised models for managing CGTs, ensuring closer proximity between patients and treatment facilities"

Cell and gene therapy (CGT) expert from Germany, Miltenyi Biotec has recently announced its entry into the Indian market to provide researchers, scientists and clinicians easier access to expertise, research, and manufacturing solutions.

Addressing Accessibility and Affordability of CELL & GENE THERAPIES

Cell and gene therapies (CGT) are one of the hottest sectors in the pharmaceutical industry.

Korea designs sweat resistant wearable robot sensor

New electromyography (EMG) sensor technology that allows the long-term stable control of wearable robots and is not affected by the wearer's sweat and dead skin has gained attention recently.

Why Singapore is Deep Tech Innovation Frontrunner

Move over Artificial Intelligence Al) and Machine Learning ML), there's a new technology on the block Deep Tech. This latest technology holds immense potential for the life sciences industry, and Singapore is leaving no stone unturned in becoming a deep tech hub. From strategic investments to collaborative initiatives and a supportive regulatory environment, read on to find out about the country's initiatives in becoming a deep tech superpower.

Can Shorter Regimens Eliminate Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a significant stride in the battle against Tuberculosis (TB) by introducing shorter drug regimens, aiming to curb a disease that claims countless lives globally. This innovative approach addresses the urgent need for more efficient treatments, especially in regions where TB's toll is highest. With traditional therapies often posing risks to liver health, these shortened regimens offer hope, minimising such concerns while enhancing treatment adherence.

How pharma is finally researching issues that primarily affect women

Pharma is now concentrating on problems that impact women. Female participation will now directly contribute to cures for diseases that affect them, since more studies specifically targeted at women are planned.

Championing PAY PARITY

Despite women's significant strides and contributions in the healthcare field, they are paid less than men. Unfortunately, as is the case in most spheres, persistent pay disparities plague the life sciences sector. How big is the gender pay gap in the pharma industry? Are companies and the industry doing enough to address this issue? Let's find out.

ENGENDERING INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSITY IN LIFE SCIENCES

Globally, women constitute 46 per cent of the workforce in the public sector, whereas in the private sector, they represent 33 per cent. The public sector maintains a higher representation of women as employees compared to the private sector as per data from the World Bank.

US FDA approves first medication to treat severe frostbite

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Eicos Sciences Inc’s Aurlumyn (iloprost) injection to treat severe frostbite in adults to reduce the risk of finger or toe amputation.

Japanese startup RevolKa to create highly functional proteins by using AI-driven platform

RevolKa, a venture-backed biotech startup providing a gamechanging protein engineering technology platform, based in Japan, has signed a contract research agreement with Sekisui Chemical.

Taiwan's Anbogen secures $12.5M for advancing precision oncology drug development

Taiwan-based startup Anbogen Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company specialising in groundbreaking cancer drug development, has announced the successful completion of its Series A funding round.

Samsung Biologics & LegoChem Biosciences team up for ADC development

South Korea-based Samsung Biologics, a global contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has signed a partnership agreement with LegoChem Biosciences, a Korean biotech company pioneering the research and development of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programmes.

Biocon Biologics partners with Sandoz Australia for cancer biosimilars

Indian firm Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a fully integrated biosimilars company and subsidiary of Biocon, has announced a five-year partnership with Sandoz AG which provides Sandoz the exclusive rights to promote, sell and distribute biosimilar Trastuzumab (market value of AUD$35 million) and biosimilar Bevacizumab (market value of AUD$45 million) in Australia.