NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

The first state-sanctioned safe consumption site for illegal drugs in the U.S. opened in Providence, RI, operated by Project Weber/RENEW and VICTA. Researchers at Brown University aim to study its impact on overdose prevention and community integration. Despite controversy, OPCs are seen as a way to reduce drug-related deaths and connect users with treatment. The federal stance on OPCs is unclear, with some support and legal challenges.

Lauren Averett Byers, M.D., received the 2025 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Medicine for her contributions to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) research, including developing a framework to classify SCLC subtypes and identifying therapeutic targets. Byers, an internationally recognized SCLC expert, focuses on high-throughput molecular profiling and has led clinical trials for innovative treatments, including CAR T cell therapy for SCLC.

Pooja Khatri, MD, MS, has been appointed chair of the Department of Neurology and chief of neurology at Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale New Haven Health System, effective April 1, 2025. Dr. Khatri, currently at the University of Cincinnati, is an internationally recognized expert in clinical stroke with extensive research and leadership experience.

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed FunMap, a machine learning-based approach integrating protein datasets and RNA sequencing data from 11 cancer types to assess cancer-associated mutations and understudied proteins, uncovering protein modules and predicting functions, with potential to inform therapeutic strategies.

A study led by Dr. Kristen Marks found HepB-CpG vaccine induced protective antibodies in 99.4% of HIV-positive individuals who didn't respond to prior vaccination, compared to 80.6% with HepB-alum. HepB-CpG is preferred for boosting hepatitis B immunity in HIV-positive adults.

Healthcare organizations must leverage data and advanced technologies like AI to optimize operations, improve patient outcomes, and achieve sustainable growth. Key opportunities include using real-world data and evidence for clinical research, actionable intelligence for patient-centric performance, and predictive analytics for supply chain optimization.

The NIH's STOMP trial found tecovirimat (TPOXX) safe but ineffective for improving lesion resolution or pain relief in mild to moderate mpox cases. The study, halted early, involved participants from multiple countries. Tecovirimat remains available through the CDC's expanded access program for severe cases.

WashU Medicine secured $683 million in NIH funding in 2024, a record high, affirming its leadership in shaping the future of medicine. The funding supports groundbreaking research and propels advancements in medical care, with WashU Medicine ranking No. 2 in NIH funding nationwide for the second consecutive year.

NIH study finds tecovirimat safe but ineffective in reducing mpox lesion resolution time or pain among adults with mild to moderate clade II mpox. Study halted enrollment due to lack of efficacy, with no safety concerns reported.