CDC ENTEBBE

After Oregon recriminalized drug possession, Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Gomez arrested a man for misdemeanor drug possession. While some counties like Lane plan to use a 'deflection' program to send offenders to treatment instead of court, Douglas County opted out, planning to enforce stricter penalties. Sheriff John Hanlin believes in the justice system's ability to turn lives around, contrasting with Lane County's approach focusing on treatment over punishment.

Glioblastoma, a common and aggressive brain tumor, has seen little survival improvement despite research. Scientists identify mechanisms like immune cells' 'feeding' and develop new treatments, including targeting the STING pathway and using B-cell vaccines, to combat the tumor.

STIs, including multidrug-resistant gonorrhea, are increasing in the US, prompting the need for new therapies. Zoliflodacin, an oral single-dose antibiotic, showed efficacy and safety in late-stage trials, with plans for FDA approval in Q1 2025.

Glioblastoma, a common aggressive brain tumor, has a 15-month survival rate. Researchers at Feinberg are exploring new mechanisms like hypoxic niches and immune cell interactions to develop precision medicine. A 3D spatial approach and targeting tumor-associated myeloid cells show promise. Additionally, novel drug agonists and B-cell vaccines aim to reprogram immune responses and inhibit tumor growth, while ultrasound technology enhances drug penetration into the brain.

Colorectal cancer cases have significantly increased among younger age groups, leading to potential changes in screening guidelines and increased demand for clinical laboratory tests.

The FDA approved Pfizer’s Hympavzi (marstacimab-hncq) for routine prophylaxis in hemophilia A or B without inhibitors, making it the first anti-TFPI available in the U.S. for this indication. Hympavzi offers a once-weekly subcutaneous dosing via a pre-filled auto-injector pen. The approval was based on the BASIS trial, showing a 35% reduction in annualized bleeding rates compared to routine prophylaxis and on-demand treatment. Common adverse events were manageable.

Mpox, primarily transmitted through close skin contact, typically causes a self-resolving illness but can be severe in immunocompromised individuals. First-line therapy is supportive care; advanced therapeutics are available for severe cases. Vaccination with the 2-dose Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic vaccine is recommended for high-risk populations, with efficacy rates of 66% to 86%.

BARDA selected opaganib for joint development & funding as a medical countermeasure to treat Ebola virus disease. Opaganib showed a statistically significant increase in survival in an in vivo EBOV model, advancing on the FDA Animal Rule pathway. The 10th anniversary of the West Africa Ebola epidemic highlights the urgent need for effective therapies, with EBOV proving fatal in around half of all cases. Opaganib, a novel host-directed drug, has shown mutation-resistant antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity, representing an alternative therapeutic strategy for biodefense and global health preparedness.

Non-invasive neurotech startups, like Neurovalens, are gaining investor interest due to lower costs and risks compared to invasive brain implant technologies like Neuralink. Neurovalens has raised $30.4 million to develop wearable brain-stimulating devices targeting mental health and metabolic conditions, aiming for FDA approval and market expansion. The neurotech market, currently valued at $13-14 billion, is projected to grow to $40 billion by 2030, driven by the potential of non-invasive treatments to reach more patients.