University of Oxford

TriLink BioTechnologies and IVI Partner to Advance mRNA Vaccine Development for Global Health Equity

8 days ago

• TriLink BioTechnologies and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on mRNA-based vaccine development and promote equitable access in low- and middle-income countries. • The partnership combines TriLink's expertise in nucleic acids, including its proprietary CleanCap® technology used in COVID-19 vaccines, with IVI's global health focus on infectious diseases disproportionately affecting developing regions. • This collaboration aims to accelerate vaccine development through knowledge exchange and joint scientific initiatives, potentially transforming access to critical healthcare technologies regardless of geographic location.

GSK to Present Groundbreaking Respiratory Medicine Data at ATS 2025 International Congress

20 days ago

• GSK will showcase 43 abstracts at the ATS 2025 International Congress, highlighting advancements in treatments for asthma and COPD with mepolizumab and depemokimab. • New MATINEE trial analyses demonstrate mepolizumab's effectiveness in reducing COPD exacerbations and hospitalizations across various patient subgroups, including those with cardiovascular comorbidities. • Twice-yearly dosing of depemokimab shows promising results in improving quality of life and reducing exacerbations in asthma patients with type 2 inflammation, potentially transforming treatment adherence.

Common Cytomegalovirus May Enhance Immunotherapy Outcomes in Melanoma Patients, Oxford Study Finds

21 days ago

• A groundbreaking University of Oxford study reveals that prior cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection improves melanoma patients' response to single-drug PD-1 immunotherapy while reducing severe side effects. • CMV, carried by 50-60% of UK adults, appears to delay melanoma development and spread, suggesting the immune response to this common virus may influence cancer progression. • Researchers found CMV-positive patients experienced lower rates of serious immune-related complications during treatment, potentially offering a new biomarker for personalizing immunotherapy approaches.

Circle Pharma to Reveal Dual Mechanism of Novel Cyclin A/B RxL Inhibitors at AACR 2025

a month ago

• Circle Pharma will present late-breaking data at AACR 2025 showing how their novel cyclin A/B RxL inhibitors disrupt DNA repair pathways and affect mitotic progression in E2F-high cancers. • The research, conducted in collaboration with University of Oxford and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, reveals a dual mechanism by which these inhibitors induce tumor regression. • Circle Pharma's lead compound CID-078, an oral macrocycle cyclin A/B RxL inhibitor, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT06577987) for patients with advanced solid tumors.

Tempus AI, AstraZeneca, and Pathos AI Form $200M Collaboration to Build Oncology Foundation Model

a month ago

• Tempus AI has announced strategic collaborations with AstraZeneca and Pathos AI to develop a multimodal foundation model in oncology, with agreements totaling $200 million in data licensing and model development fees. • The partnership will leverage Tempus' de-identified oncology data repository to build an AI model that can gather biological insights, discover novel drug targets, and develop therapeutics to improve cancer patient care globally. • This collaboration expands on the existing 2021 partnership between Tempus and AstraZeneca, aiming to accelerate oncology R&D and increase the probability of clinical success across AstraZeneca's pipeline.

Study Reveals Effective Strategies for Young Adults Quitting Vaping

a month ago

• Nearly half of young adults successfully quit vaping after three months using a combination of phone-based coaching, health apps, and nicotine replacement therapy, according to new research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. • Text-based support programs offering motivational messages and quitting tips have emerged as one of the most effective interventions for helping younger populations break their nicotine addiction, a systematic evidence review found. • Researchers were surprised to discover that phone-based quitline coaching was highly effective and well-received among 18-24 year olds, challenging assumptions that this demographic would prefer text-based support over telephone conversations.

UK Government Unveils Life Sciences Strategy to Strengthen Post-Brexit Industry

a month ago

• The UK government has revealed a comprehensive life sciences strategy led by Professor Sir John Bell, aiming to strengthen the sector after Brexit through increased funding and policy reforms. • Key proposals include £160 million in new funding, improved clinical trial capabilities, implementation of the Accelerated Access Review, and benchmarking the UK to be in the top quartile for innovative medicine adoption by 2023. • Industry leaders from pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and healthcare organizations collaborated on the strategy, which addresses challenges in NHS funding constraints while seeking to create a globally competitive life sciences ecosystem.

Infinitopes Secures MHRA Approval for Phase I/IIa Trial of Novel Cancer Vaccine Against Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma

a month ago

• Infinitopes has received UK MHRA approval for a first-in-human Phase I/IIa clinical trial of ITOP1, an 'off-the-shelf' precision cancer vaccine designed to prevent recurrence in patients with surgically resectable oesophageal adenocarcinoma. • The VISTA study will enroll 60 patients across four UK cancer centers, administering ITOP1 in a prime/boost regimen alongside standard FLOT chemotherapy, with the trial set to commence in Q2 2025. • ITOP1 leverages AI/ML-driven immunopeptidomics to target tumor antigens with high specificity, activating CD8+ cytotoxic T cells to eliminate residual cancer cells and potentially revolutionize treatment for oesophageal cancer, which claims 8,500 lives annually in the UK.

GSK Expands Neurodegenerative Disease Portfolio with $2.5B+ ABL Bio Partnership

a month ago

• GSK has committed to a potential $2.5 billion partnership with South Korea's ABL Bio, providing an upfront payment of £38.5 million to develop novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. • The collaboration centers on ABL Bio's proprietary Grabody-B platform, which utilizes bispecific antibodies targeting insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors to facilitate the transport of therapeutic molecules across the blood-brain barrier. • This agreement represents GSK's continued strategic expansion into neuroscience, following its recent $35 million partnership with Muna Therapeutics focused on Alzheimer's disease targets.

Study Finds No Benefit in Pausing BTK Inhibitors During COVID-19 Vaccination for CLL Patients

2 months ago

• A clinical trial led by the University of Birmingham reveals that chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients should continue Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor therapy during COVID-19 vaccination, contradicting previous observational studies. • The IMPROVE study of 99 CLL patients found no difference in antibody levels, quality of response, or cellular immunity between those who paused BTKi therapy for three weeks and those who continued treatment. • Despite variable immune responses among CLL patients on BTKi therapy, researchers conclude that pausing treatment around vaccination provides no significant benefit and should not be recommended in clinical practice.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Submits NDA for Novel Antipsychotic Bysanti to Treat Bipolar I Disorder and Schizophrenia

2 months ago

• Vanda Pharmaceuticals has submitted a New Drug Application to the FDA for Bysanti (milsaperidone), seeking approval for the treatment of acute bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia. • Bysanti is a novel atypical antipsychotic that works by interacting with multiple neurotransmitter receptors including alpha-adrenergic, serotonin, and dopamine receptors in the brain. • If approved, Bysanti could reach the US market by 2026, with potential patent exclusivity extending into the 2040s, while Phase III trials for its use in major depressive disorder are currently underway.

Novel Radiotherapy Approach Helps Rectal Cancer Patients Avoid Permanent Stoma Surgery

3 months ago

• A groundbreaking clinical trial demonstrates that contact X-ray brachytherapy combined with chemo-radiotherapy increases rectum preservation rates from 56% to 79% in rectal cancer patients. • The innovative treatment approach allows doctors to target tumors directly while protecting healthy tissue, significantly improving patients' quality of life by avoiding permanent stoma surgery. • Five-year global trial involving 141 patients proves successful, with one participant achieving complete cancer remission through three rounds of brachytherapy followed by standard treatment.

Brainomix and Medtronic Form Strategic Alliance to Transform Stroke Care with AI Technology

3 months ago

• Brainomix and Medtronic Neurovascular have partnered to integrate AI-powered imaging solutions across Western Europe, aiming to enhance stroke diagnosis and treatment delivery. • The Brainomix 360 Stroke platform has demonstrated significant impact in real-world studies, doubling thrombectomy rates and showing a 37% increase in treatment compared to non-evaluation sites. • The collaboration combines Brainomix's AI imaging expertise with Medtronic's neurovascular technology leadership to accelerate treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes across the region.

GLP-1 Agonists Linked to Reduced Risk of 42 Health Conditions in Large Study

4 months ago

• A large observational study of nearly 2 million patients found that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are associated with a reduced risk of 42 health conditions. • The study, which included 215,000 GLP-1RA users, showed benefits beyond glucose control and weight loss, including neurological and respiratory conditions. • While GLP-1RAs demonstrated broad benefits, the study also identified increased risks for certain conditions like kidney stones and low blood pressure. • Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to confirm these findings and understand the long-term effects of GLP-1RA therapy.

Novavax Launches Phase 3 Trial for COVID-19-Influenza Combination and Stand-Alone Influenza Vaccines

6 months ago

• Novavax has initiated a Phase 3 trial for its COVID-19-Influenza Combination (CIC) vaccine and stand-alone influenza vaccine, evaluating immunogenicity and safety. • The trial compares the CIC and stand-alone influenza vaccines to Novavax's updated COVID-19 vaccine and a licensed seasonal influenza vaccine in adults aged 65 and older. • Novavax is collaborating with the FDA to explore potential accelerated approval pathways for both vaccine candidates, aiming for clarity by Q2 2025. • The Phase 3 trial includes approximately 2,000 participants and builds upon positive Phase 2 data, with initial results expected by mid-2025.

FDA Halts Novavax's COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Trials Due to Safety Concerns

7 months ago

• The FDA has placed a clinical hold on Novavax's combination COVID-19 and influenza vaccine, along with its standalone influenza vaccine, following a serious adverse event report. • The adverse event, motor neuropathy, was reported in a Phase 2 trial participant outside the U.S. who received the combination vaccine in January 2023. • Novavax is collaborating with the FDA to provide necessary information and resolve the clinical hold, aiming to commence Phase 3 trials as soon as possible. • The clinical hold does not affect Novavax's standalone COVID-19 vaccine, which remains available on the U.S. market.

Europe Emerges as Leading Hub for Precision Medicine Innovation and Implementation

10 years ago

• Europe's healthcare systems are rapidly adopting genomic medicine and personalized therapies, driven by collaboration among providers, payers, and pharmaceutical companies across the continent. • The convergence of advanced diagnostics, genetic analytics, and companion diagnostics has created a mature ecosystem for precision medicine delivery in everyday clinical practice. • European institutions' willingness to share platforms and data while maintaining security standards positions the continent to potentially surpass the US in precision medicine commercialization.