University of Adelaide

Sony and Nature announce shortlist for Sony Women in Technology Award, recognizing early to mid-career researchers with $250,000 each. Seven finalists from diverse fields are selected, with winners to be announced on February 5, 2025 in Tokyo.

ISAAA Inc. and DA Biotech Program Office will host a webinar on December 9, 2024, discussing gene drive applications in sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Featuring Dr. Maria Genaleen Q. Diaz and Prof. Paul Thomas, the event aims to inform about recent developments in gene drive technology. Registration is open via Zoom.

Pain-sensing nerves and immune cells interact to worsen endometriosis in mice, suggesting CGRP-inhibiting drugs used for migraines could treat the disorder. Current treatments are limited, and endometriosis research is underfunded.

A team led by Professor Andrew Abell developed a targeted prodrug for chronic pain relief, using a chemical reaction with reactive oxygen species. The prodrug, tested in preclinical models, provided localized relief for sciatic nerve injuries and other chronic pain conditions. The compound showed no tolerance induction and received funding from the US NIH HEAL Initiative for further pre-clinical trials. A related company, Immunologic, aims to develop the prodrug for human trials.

SUPLEXA, a personalized cancer treatment, trains patients' immune cells to fight cancer. Developed by Alloplex Biotherapeutics, it involves a simple blood draw, ex vivo cell training, and reinfusion. The first-in-human trial showed no serious adverse events and significant clinical benefits in advanced colorectal and renal cell carcinoma patients. The FDA has encouraged Alloplex to proceed with Phase 2 trials, combining SUPLEXA with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

SUPLEXA, a personalized cancer treatment developed by Alloplex Biotherapeutics, trains patients' immune cells to fight cancer. The therapy, involving a simple blood draw and ex vivo cell training, showed significant clinical benefits in advanced colorectal cancer and renal cell carcinoma patients. With FDA encouragement, Phase 2 trials combining SUPLEXA with immune checkpoint inhibitors are planned for 2025.

Abbott partners with the Big Ten Conference for 'We Give Blood Drive' to address national blood shortages, offering $1 million to the school with the most donations. Abbott also completed enrollment for its VOLT-AF IDE study and launched Lingo, a real-time glucose monitoring system available without a prescription in the U.S.

Abbott achieved milestones in PFA solutions: early VOLT-AF IDE Study enrollment and FOCALFLEX trial launch. FDA cleared Advisor HD Grid X Mapping Catheter. PFA uses electrical pulses instead of heat or cold for AFib treatment, aiming for safer ablation. Abbott's Volt PFA System and TactiFlex Duo Ablation Catheter, SE, address PFA limitations. Heart mapping remains crucial for effective ablation.

Abbott achieved milestones in electrophysiology with early VOLT-AF IDE study completion and FOCALFLEX trial launch for TactiFlex Duo ablation catheter. FDA cleared Advisor HD Grid X mapping catheter for PFA and RF ablation cases. Abbott's PFA systems aim to address limitations of early-generation systems, with VOLT-AF enrolling 400 patients four months ahead of schedule.