Columbia University

Roswell Park CEO Candace Johnson introduces Michael Wong as the center's first Physician in Chief, aiming to enhance patient care and outcomes. Wong, a former MD Anderson Cancer Center professor, will lead clinical teams and focus on improving care delivery.

Niven R. Narain emphasizes that AI investments in drug development require robust data and validation. GEN's A-List highlights 10 AI-based drug discovery leaders, including BPGbio, which focuses on cancer energy generation. Other notable companies include Nvidia and Palantir Technologies, though not on the A-List. The list includes specifics on companies like Anima Biotech, Atomwise, and Nimbus Therapeutics, detailing their AI platforms and drug development progress.

Trump's healthcare picks, including anti-vaccine activist Robert Kennedy Jr for HHS, spark debate. Kennedy's appointment led to health stock drops and vows to overhaul NIH and FDA. Other nominees include lockdown opponents Jay Bhattacharya for NIH, Dave Weldon for CDC, and Marty Makary for FDA. Celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz is tapped to lead CMS, and Fox News' Janette Nesheiwat is chosen for Surgeon General.

Dr. Rubinstein to train practitioners on new BOTOX® technique for neck contours in New York. BOTOX® Cosmetic received FDA approval for treating platysma bands, expanding its aesthetic applications.

The FDA plans to require drug ads to focus more on risks and less on benefits, while critics argue this restricts valuable drug information. Studies show underinvestment in drug therapy and high rates of medication nonadherence, suggesting more information, not less, is needed to combat health issues.

Augustana University announces a 5-year dual-degree engineering program starting Fall 2025, combining online courses from UND with on-campus B.A. degrees in chemistry, physics, or mathematics. Students will participate in summer lab courses and metaverse workshops, earning ABET-accredited B.S. degrees in various engineering fields from UND.

Western oil giants sought to exploit Kazakhstan's Tengiz reservoir, facing political and environmental challenges. TenizService, a Kazakh firm with ties to Timur Kulibayev, secured a $2.5 billion contract to build an offloading facility, despite internal warnings of potential corruption. The project faced regulatory hurdles and cost overruns, while Kulibayev's influence and wealth grew. The Caspian Cabals investigation reveals how Western oil companies empowered anti-democratic actors, enriched regional elites, and faced criticism for ignoring bribery risks and cost overruns.

Google DeepMind and the Royal Society convened the AI for Science Forum in London, celebrating recent Nobel wins in AI-related fields. Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, highlighted AI's potential for a new era of discovery but also its risks, such as energy demands and misuse. AI applications include medical imaging, climate models, and drug development acceleration. Hassabis predicts AI will transition from black box to explainable systems within five years, potentially revolutionizing drug discovery timelines. The climate crisis remains a significant challenge, with AI's energy consumption a concern, though Hassabis believes AI's benefits will outweigh its energy usage, potentially leading to breakthroughs in energy solutions.

AlphaFold3, an AI model by Google DeepMind and Isomorphic Labs, predicts protein structures and interactions, potentially revolutionizing drug discovery. After initial code withholding, DeepMind open-sourced AlphaFold3, allowing academic researchers access for non-commercial use, accelerating scientific discovery and drug development.

Actinium Pharmaceuticals updates on Phase 2/3 trial for Actimab-A + CLAG-M in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia, selection for NCI's myeloMATCH program, FDA clearance of Iomab-ACT INDs for CAR-T and sickle cell trials, seeking US strategic partner for Iomab-B, appointment of Dr. June Almenoff to Board, and $78.6 million in cash to fund operations into 2027.