University of Connecticut

MedGenome appoints Felix Olale as President and CEO, and Jennifer Rose as EVP and CCO to lead U.S. operations, aiming to accelerate growth and innovation in precision medicine and multiomics solutions.

Brand-name injectable drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, used for weight loss and diabetes control, face high demand and limited supply due to patent protection until 2033-2036. Nonbrand alternatives, including compounded drugs and peptide products, pose risks due to lack of FDA oversight and potential contamination. Pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are under pressure to offer lower-priced options to combat these alternatives, with new GLP-1 agonist drugs expected to enter the market in the coming years.

UConn tests a small-molecule drug reducing stroke damage, funded by NIH's NHLBI. The drug, targeting P2X4 receptor, shows neuroprotective effects in animal models, potentially expanding stroke treatment time window.

Brand-name injectable drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, despite their high cost (about $800-$1,000 per month) and limited insurance coverage for weight loss, have become billion-dollar sellers due to their effectiveness in weight loss, blood sugar control, and heart disease risk reduction. The FDA resolved a 2022 shortage of the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound, but patents on semaglutide and tirzepatide extend until 2033 and 2036, respectively, preventing generic versions. Non-brand alternatives, including dietary supplements and compounded drugs, pose risks due to lack of regulation and testing. Compounding pharmacies offer custom versions but are less regulated than commercial manufacturers. Peptide companies exploit loopholes to sell unapproved versions, often without prescriptions, leading to potential health hazards. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have introduced lower-priced alternatives, and future market entrants may further reduce costs.

Biomedical breakthroughs enhance patient mobility, optimism, and reduce costs for insurers and hospitals.

Athletic trainer Kenya Moore noticed a player's disorientation after switching ADHD meds, leading to heat stroke. Experts warn that medications for ADHD, anxiety, and depression elevate heat stroke risk in athletes, calling for more research. Heat illness diagnoses and deaths have risen with global temperatures, with stimulants potentially increasing risk by constricting blood vessels and inhibiting sweating. Awareness and precautions are crucial, especially as mental health medication use rises.

Yale’s Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science (BIDS) welcomes Haoyu Cheng, Anran Li, Andrew Loza, Julia Wolleb, Weipeng Zhou, João Cardoso, Catherine Barabas, Gui Yang, Mukund Aravapalli, Jennifer Arango, Ahmed Abdelhady, Winnie Ng, Vincent Zhang, and Atharva Sapre, each contributing unique expertise in genomics, AI, software engineering, and healthcare informatics.

Duke basketball loses Braylon Mullins' visit, Mullins cancels visits to Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas, and Purdue. Mullins, ranked No. 23 by 247Sports, has visited UConn, Michigan, and UNC, with upcoming trips to Indiana and Kentucky. Duke focuses on Cameron and Cayden Boozer, and Acaden Lewis, while Jon Scheyer plans a more patient recruiting approach.

A proposed bill could undermine university-private sector technology transfer, stifling innovation and economic growth. The Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act would require redundant paperwork, burdening the USPTO and FDA, and potentially exposing sensitive information, endangering national security.