TULANE UNIVERSITY
🇺🇬Uganda
Novel Senolytic Drug Shows Promise for MASLD and Liver Cancer Treatment
• Researchers from UT Health San Antonio and Tulane University have developed a new drug candidate that effectively eliminates senescent "zombie cells" from the liver, showing potential for treating MASLD and liver cancer.
• The drug targets BCL-xl and BCL-2 proteins to induce senescent cell death, demonstrating superior efficacy in reducing liver damage and cancer growth compared to existing senolytics, with fewer side effects.
• The breakthrough discovery addresses a critical healthcare need in San Antonio, where MASLD prevalence is high due to elevated rates of obesity and diabetes in the community.
IntelliGenome's CRISPR-TB Blood Test Receives FDA Breakthrough Device Designation
• IntelliGenome's CRISPR-TB Blood Test, a real-time PCR assay combining CRISPR technology, has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation.
• The test detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell-free DNA in blood, offering a rapid and cost-effective diagnosis for all patient groups.
• The CRISPR-TB Blood Test overcomes challenges in diagnosing vulnerable populations by eliminating the need for sputum collection.
• IntelliGenome plans to accelerate its multicenter clinical study in the US, Mexico, and Germany in 2025, with FDA guidance.
Sana Biotechnology's Hypoimmune Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Type 1 Diabetes
• Sana Biotechnology's UP421 demonstrated survival and function of transplanted pancreatic beta cells in a type 1 diabetes patient without immunosuppression.
• The first-in-human study showed increased C-peptide levels, indicating insulin production, and sustained signals at the transplant site via MRI.
• TD Cowen upgraded Sana Biotechnology to Buy, noting the results meaningfully derisk type 1 diabetes and other applications of the Hypoimmune platform.
• The company's stock price surged following the release of the positive data, reflecting investor optimism about the potential of the new treatment.
Triple-Combination Pill GMRx2 Shows Promise in Revolutionizing Hypertension Treatment
• A Phase III clinical trial demonstrated that GMRx2, a triple combination pill, is significantly more effective than dual combinations in controlling blood pressure.
• The trial, involving 1,385 patients across multiple countries, supports GMRx2's potential to transform hypertension management globally, pending regulatory approval.
• GMRx2 combines telmisartan, amlodipine, and indapamide in varying doses, showing significant blood pressure reductions compared to placebo and standard care in separate studies.
• The treatment demonstrated excellent safety and tolerability, addressing critical needs for more effective options to manage hypertension, which affects over 1.2 billion adults worldwide.
GMRx2 Triple Combination Pill Shows Promising Phase III Results for Hypertension Treatment
• A Phase III trial published in The Lancet reveals GMRx2, a novel triple combination pill, significantly reduces blood pressure compared to dual therapies.
• GMRx2 half-dose achieved a 63% clinic BP control rate, while the standard dose reached 74%, surpassing dual combinations (53-61%) in hypertension management.
• The triple combination therapy aligns with the latest European Society of Cardiology guidelines, advocating for increased use of combination therapies for hypertension.
• George Medicines has submitted a New Drug Application to the FDA, potentially making GMRx2 the first approved triple combination for initial hypertension treatment.
Fentanyl Vaccine Poised for Clinical Trials, Offering Hope in Opioid Crisis
• A fentanyl vaccine developed at the University of Houston is set to enter clinical trials in mid-2025, aiming to prevent the opioid from reaching the brain.
• The vaccine uses an adjuvant to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against fentanyl, preventing overdose by keeping the drug out of the brain.
• Clinical trials will face challenges in recruiting participants with opioid use disorder and determining the vaccine's long-term effectiveness and optimal dosage.
• Experts emphasize that the vaccine is not a standalone solution but a crucial addition to existing treatments like buprenorphine, potentially enhancing their efficacy.
Low-Dose Triple Combination Pill Shows Superior Blood Pressure Control in Landmark Trial
• A novel low-dose, three-in-one pill (GMRx2) significantly outperformed standard hypertension care in a Nigerian clinical trial.
• The GMRx2 group achieved an 81% blood pressure control rate after one month, compared to 55% in the standard care group.
• After six months, the GMRx2 group showed a 5.8 mmHg greater reduction in home systolic blood pressure compared to standard care.
• George Medicines has submitted GMRx2 to the FDA for hypertension treatment, potentially impacting cardiovascular disease rates globally.
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