💉 Gingko goes shopping, and doesn't stop; The WHO says the world eats too much glop; Live near a McD's? Stop!
💉 Gingko goes shopping, and doesn't stop; The WHO says the world eats too much glop; Live near a McD's? Stop!
#506 | Takeda to make dengue vaccine in India; SK bio gets WHO prequalification for typhoid shot; IVI sets up shop in Rwanda
Hello, and welcome back to The Kable for your weekly fix of all things life sciences.
The hottest news this week is a big surprise. It seems February 2024 is likely to be the hottest February in recorded history. Who would've ever seen that coming?
In great news on the dengue front, Takeda has signed a manufacturing deal with India's Biological E for its vaccine and is also likely to start vaccine trials in India forthwith.
Speaking of dengue, Peru will likely join Brazil in declaring a dengue-prompted health emergency.
Devex recently published a list of global development agencies to watch out for this year. Top of the list? The African Medicines Agency and The African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation. Not gonna lie... these are agencies that we're waiting to see live, too.
A couple of studies were published recently that make us at The Kable believe researchers are just messing about at times. First, apparently, a sedentary lifestyle ups your risk of early mortality. Whoa! The other whoa-inducing study says living near fast-food restaurants ups your risk of heart disease. Whoa!
And finally, South Korea's SK bioscience has received WHO prequalification for its SKYTyphoid typhoid vaccine, developed under tech transfer from the International Vaccine Institute (IVI).
Stories Of The Week
One inof a billion. So you think you're on the fatter side of healthy? Congratulations. You and a billion other people on Earth. A new WHO study published in The Lancet says one in eight people on this planet is now obese. No wonder obesity drugs are predicted to reach record sales. According to the study, over a billion people worldwide are now part of the obesity club, outflanking the underweight squad in most corners of the globe. The findings highlight that obesity is no longer just a rich person's bane but a global sensation, turning heads in both high-rise and low-rise nations. Rates of obesity have doubled, tripled, and even quadrupled among young'uns since the 1990s. All this, while parts of the world are still playing catch-up with enough grub to go around, showcasing the "double burden" of malnutrition. Where's a juicy burger when you really need one?
(WHO)
Yet another feather in Rwanda's cap. The South Korea-based International Vaccine Institute, in collaboration with Rwanda's Ministry of Health, has announced the establishment of its Africa Regional Office in Kigali, Rwanda. Selected after a review of proposals from five countries, the new office aims to enhance IVI's presence and collaborative efforts in Africa. It will serve as a central hub for expanding IVI's member base, fostering vaccine research, development, and innovation, and emphasising clinical trial training. In more IVI news, it is also opening a Country and Project Office in Kenya to spearhead its Advancing Vaccine End-to-End Capabilities (AVEC) initiative and foster collaborations with Kenyan entities like Kenya BioVax Institute in vaccine research, development, and training. The AVEC Africa initiative aims to accelerate the regional vaccine ecosystem through end-to-end R&D projects, leveraging public-private partnerships and promoting hands-on training to build a sustainable vaccine industry in Africa.
(IVI, IVI)
Breakthroughs
Cancer meets its nemesis. Researchers at the Tata Institute in Mumbai, India, have developed a groundbreaking tablet aiming to prevent the recurrence of cancer and cut down the side effects of traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation by half. This innovation was driven by the discovery that dying cancer cells release chromatin particles, which can transform healthy cells into cancerous ones. The tablet, containing pro-oxidant substances resveratrol and copper (R+Cu), generates oxygen radicals that neutralise these harmful particles, effectively reducing the risk of metastases and chemotherapy toxicity. Awaiting approval from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), it is anticipated to be affordable and widely available, marking a significant advancement in cancer treatment and management.
(NDTV)
Corporate
Gingko goes on a shopping spree. An otherwise relatively slow week on the corporate front was livened up by Ginkgo Bioworks, which significantly expanded its portfolio by acquiring not one, not two, but three startups in the molecular medicine arena, focusing on gene-based diagnostics, AI-generated compounds, and gene therapy innovations. These acquisitions accompany Ginkgo's launch of a new technology network aiming to offer comprehensive end-to-end solutions through its developer partners and previous acquisitions. Among the purchased companies is Proof Diagnostics, known for its CRISPR-based COVID-19 and flu diagnostics, Patch Biosciences for its AI platform in genetic medicine cargos and Reverie Labs for its AI-driven drug discovery capabilities.
Elsewhere, Viatris has struck a $350 million deal with Idorsia for rights to two experimental treatments targeting heart attack and lupus. The agreement also includes potential additional payments and royalties for Idorsia while offering Viatris an opportunity to expand into branded pharmaceuticals amidst its shifting focus from generic to brand-name drug growth.
(Gingko, Idorsia)
Outbreaks
Measles makes a comeback. The US is experiencing a significant uptick in measles cases, with a potential 286% increase in infections this year compared to 2023, affecting at least 15 states and resulting in 35 confirmed cases as of February 21. This resurgence is alarming, especially in Florida, where the surgeon general's controversial decision allows unvaccinated, exposed children to attend school, further risking spread. The increase in cases is linked to declining vaccination rates, fueled by misinformation and socioeconomic barriers to healthcare access.
(NewsNation)
Bottom line
Not just for birds anymore. It sure looks like bird flu is no longer happy just infecting birds. According to a study by the University of California, Davis, and Argentina's National Institute of Agricultural Technology, this virus has picked up some new tricks, now spreading between birds and marine mammals along the Atlantic shore of South America. This isn't just a party for the birds; sea lions, fur seals, and even a tern have been found dead, all thanks to H5N1's newfound taste for variety. What's more, this virus is sporting some mutations that let it cosy up to mammals a bit too comfortably, raising eyebrows about its potential threat to humans. While it's still a low risk for us bipeds, the fact that it's getting chummy with mammals is a bit of a worry. And as this virus continues its world tour from Europe to South America, wreaking havoc on wildlife populations, it's got scientists on high alert, especially with its sights potentially set on Antarctica.
(Emerging Infectious Diseases)
It's not the heat; it's the humidity. Researchers over at Penn State, with some international backup, have been digging into how sneaky parasitic worms that trouble our livestock (and wildlife) are playing by a whole new set of rules thanks to climate change. It turns out, it's not just the heat turning up that gets these worms wiggling into new territories, but humidity is also rolling out the red carpet for them. These findings spotlight how these wrigglers might start showing up in places they've never crashed before, potentially even throwing a wrench in human health. This isn't just a heads-up for our furry friends; it's a nudge for us to rethink how we manage livestock and maybe even brace for how these changes could affect human health.
(Ecology Letters)
Modern munchies muddle minds. If you're still thinking about the obesity stats in our very first story today and wondering what the culprit could be, well, don't look too far. Digging into the not-so-delicious details of our modern diet, a hefty review of studies covering nearly 10 million people has thrown a spotlight on the not-so-sweet side of ultra-processed foods. According to researchers, munching on these convenient but concerning concoctions is linked to a smorgasbord of health issues, affecting over 70% of 45 different health outcomes examined. From heart hiccups to mental malaise, it turns out that reaching for that extra serving of factory-finessed food could hike up your risk of cardiovascular diseases and common mental disorders by about 50%. And while the jury's still out on the full menu of ultra-processed food's impacts, including its role in cancer, the message is clear: these modern munchies, while handy, might not be the health heroes we hoped for.
(The BMJ)
Long reads
Finding Alzheimer's Kryptonite in history. In a twist that feels like it's straight out of a science fiction novel, early 20th-century efforts to combat tuberculosis have opened an unexpected chapter in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. The connection lies in the BCG vaccine's ability to possibly shore up the immune system, thereby preventing the brain from becoming a playground for harmful pathogens that could trigger Alzheimer's. With the world grappling with over 55 million people affected by dementia, and Alzheimer's being the most common form, the notion that a simple, cost-effective vaccine like BCG could play a role in preventing this devastating disease is nothing short of revolutionary. This article in The Guardian highlights the serendipitous nature of scientific research but also offers a glimmer of hope in our ongoing battle against dementia. Because sometimes, the answers we seek are hidden in the pages of history.
(The Guardian)
Oh and, Gopal Nair doesn't want you to see this.