Boston University

Rice University leads a multiuniversity team awarded $34.9 million by ARPA-H to develop ROGUE, a bioelectronic implant for obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment, aiming to reduce costs and improve adherence. ROGUE functions as a 'living pharmacy,' producing biologics on demand, and is rechargeable via a wearable device, designed for outpatient deployment. The project, backed by over $100 million from ARPA-H and DARPA, includes collaborations with Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, and other institutions, focusing on clinical translation and commercialization.

Joan, diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's, uses a 40-hertz sound-and-light therapy to combat dementia, showing stable brain volume and halted cognitive decline. Developed by MIT researchers, the therapy aims to synchronize gamma waves in the brain, with promising results in clinical trials. Despite some skepticism and replication challenges, the treatment shows potential without serious side effects, though caution is advised due to unregulated market products.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in blood could diagnose mild cognitive impairment and predict dementia progression years before clinical diagnosis, offering insights into Alzheimer’s disease molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Two studies published in *Alzheimer’s & Dementia* identified miRNAs associated with Alzheimer’s biomarkers, improving classification accuracy and suggesting miRNAs as less invasive, cost-effective biomarkers compared to current methods.

Mpox, caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), re-emerged in 2024 with clade I strains spreading faster and being deadlier. A new study led by researchers from the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, the National Institutes of Health, Boston University, and Moderna, published in *Cell*, demonstrated that mRNA-based vaccines, like mRNA-1769, could be more effective than the modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine in protecting against severe mpox disease in macaques. The mRNA-1769 vaccine, targeting four MPXV antigens, showed tenfold fewer lesions and reduced viral load compared to MVA, highlighting the potential of mRNA technology to combat MPXV-like viruses.

CCR West celebrates its 40th anniversary with a focus on CAR T-cell therapy and precision medicine, featuring cutting-edge research and presentations by leading experts in rheumatology.

Despite increased R&D spending, clinical trial productivity remains low. Key factors driving up costs include slow trial speed, inefficient patient recruitment, and lack of infrastructure. Integrated technology solutions like Anju's TrialMaster can streamline operations, offering features such as fast study builds, seamless integration, support for central labs, risk-based quality management, and user-friendly interfaces to improve efficiency and reduce costs.