JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV injection given twice yearly, dominated discussions at the fifth HIV Research for Prevention Conference (HIVR4P) in Lima, Peru. The conference also highlighted other studies, including an injectable combining contraception and HIV protection, a three-month vaginal ring, and real-world findings from Zambia's rollout of long-acting injectable cabotegravir. Lenacapavir reduced HIV infections by 96% in a gender-diverse population, according to the PURPOSE 2 trial. Regulatory filings for lenacapavir are expected globally by the end of 2024.

Karnataka seeks US life sciences investments, promoting KWIN City's infrastructure and workforce. Minister M B Patil discussed collaborations with GE Healthcare, L3 Harris, and Johns Hopkins University. KWIN City, near Bengaluru, aims to be a global life sciences hub, fostering academic-industry partnerships. The state plans to host the Invest Karnataka Summit 2025 to attract high-tech investment.

Clearmind Medicine Inc. announces IRB approval for part A of its Phase I/IIa clinical trial in the U.S. for treating alcohol use disorder with its MEAI-based treatment, CMND-100, to be conducted at Johns Hopkins, Yale, and IMCA Center in Israel.

North Carolina A&T’s CESJ hosts inaugural HBCU Democracy Day on Oct. 16, featuring scholars, journalists, and activists discussing HBCUs' role in American democracy. Speakers include Martha Jones, Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Melanye Price, David Dennis Sr., David Dennis Jr., Khalilah Brown-Dean, and Eddie Cole. Event aims to promote social responsibility and civic engagement.

Clearmind Medicine Inc. received IRB approval for part A of its Phase I/IIa clinical trial in the U.S. to treat alcohol use disorder with its MEAI-based treatment, CMND-100, to be conducted at Johns Hopkins, Yale, and IMCA Center in Israel.

Clearmind Medicine received IRB approval for part A of its Phase I/IIa clinical trial in the U.S. for treating AUD with MEAI-based treatment CMND-100. The multinational, multi-center trial will also take place at Johns Hopkins University, Yale School of Medicine, and IMCA Center in Israel.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to David Baker for computational protein design, and to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper for protein structure prediction. Their work, including Baker's creation of novel proteins and Hassabis and Jumper's development of AlphaFold, has revolutionized structural biology, enabling advancements in medical treatment and biotechnology.

Aplp1 and Lag3 proteins facilitate the spread of harmful alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease, but an FDA-approved cancer drug targeting Lag3 blocks this spread in mice, suggesting potential therapeutic use.

Persephoni BioPartners appoints Dr. Donna Taraborelli as COO to support early-stage biotech startups. Taraborelli, with extensive experience in life sciences, previously contributed to Clearside Biomedical's IPO and FDA approval. Persephoni aims to accelerate breakthrough technologies through its venture studio model.