💊 Google launches new AI drug discovery tools; WHO urges caution on AI in healthcare; Amgen's Horizon deal sees trouble on the horizon

India to test cough syrups before export; Universal flu vaccine enters the clinic; Leave them bats hanging

Hello, and welcome back to what is a full Kable after a seemingly light start to the week. Bird flu is back to grace the news. But then again, where had it flown to? AI is making ripples, AMR is rearing its head, looking to get it bitten off, and bats are being rousted from their roosts. 

But first, India is reportedly mulling a regulatory proposal to test cough syrups intended for exportin government labs before they’re actually exported.

In the US, competition watchdog FTC is looking to block Amgen's $28 billion buyout of Horizon Therapeutics.

The US FDA has flagged numerous quality concerns at an API plant in Piparla, India, owned by Ipca Laboratories. In an inspection report spanning 7 pages, the agency revealed several problems noted during an inspection conducted last month, indicating that the facility had inadequately investigated multiple product batches, reported results without fully identifying the underlying issues in certain instances, and neglected to correctly adhere to the investigational procedure in other scenarios.

In the third high-profile exit from lobbying group PhRMA in recent times, AstraZeneca is exiting the group too.

Two poultry workers in the UK have tested positive for bird flu, but they had no symptoms, and there's no evidence of transmission between people, the UK Health Security Agency said.

Tahiti becomes the newest region to try scientifically modified mosquitoes to control dengue outbreaks. 

CEPI has a call for proposals out for partners to help it set up clinical trial sites for a first-ever Lassa fever phase 3 trial.

The WHO has urged prudence in the application of AI in public health care, citing the potential for bias and misuse in the data AI utilises for decision-making. Despite expressing optimism about AI's potential, the WHO expressed apprehensions about its use to enhance access to health information, act as a decision-support tool, and improve diagnostic care.

And finally, as if on cue, Google Cloud is launching two new AI-powered tools designed to aid biotech companies, pharmaceutical firms, and public sector organisations in precision medicine and drug discovery.