EMORY UNIVERSITY

Researchers discovered a powerful enzyme, CU43, that outperforms existing treatments for myasthenia gravis and other autoimmune diseases in mouse models, requiring 4,000 times less enzyme to achieve the same effect. CU43 targets a specific glycan in IgG antibodies, reducing their pathogenicity without immunosuppressive effects, and shows potential for treating a wide range of IgG-mediated pathologies.

The 2024 presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump could significantly impact U.S. health care, particularly prescription drug costs, health coverage, and reproductive rights. Harris pledges to build on existing programs to make health care more affordable, while Trump aims to reduce federal health spending. Both candidates have different approaches to lowering prescription drug costs and expanding health coverage, with Harris supporting the Affordable Care Act and Trump advocating for state-level decisions on reproductive rights.

FDA approves Novocure’s Optune Lua for use with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or docetaxel in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients who have progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy. Optune Lua, a portable device delivering Tumor Treating Fields, offers an alternative treatment without systemic toxicity, significantly improving median overall survival in the Phase 3 LUNAR trial.

A study estimates 24-62% of U.S. depression patients could qualify for psilocybin-assisted therapy if FDA approves, potentially helping millions. Factors influencing eligibility include comorbidities and insurance coverage. The study emphasizes the need for flexible healthcare planning and resource allocation.

Merck announced STRIDE-8 Phase 3 trial results for CAPVAXIVE™, showing robust immune responses in adults, covering 84% of invasive pneumococcal disease cases in adults 50+.

Dr. Ravi V. Bellamkonda, a renowned biomedical engineer and higher education leader, will join Ohio State as executive VP and provost, pending Board of Trustees approval, starting January 14, 2025. He comes from Emory University, where he led initiatives in arts, AI, and student flourishing. Dr. Bellamkonda is also a distinguished researcher in biomedical engineering and a recipient of the NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award. His family, including spouse Dr. Lalita Kaligotla and dog CJ, will join him at Ohio State.

Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV injection given twice yearly, dominated discussions at the fifth HIV Research for Prevention Conference (HIVR4P) in Lima, Peru. The conference also highlighted other studies, including an injectable combining contraception and HIV protection, a three-month vaginal ring, and real-world findings from Zambia's rollout of long-acting injectable cabotegravir. Lenacapavir reduced HIV infections by 96% in a gender-diverse population, according to the PURPOSE 2 trial. Regulatory filings for lenacapavir are expected globally by the end of 2024.

Gilead's twice-yearly PrEP lenacapavir showed nearly perfect efficacy in two pivotal studies, outperforming Truvada. The drug was well-tolerated with few serious adverse events, and reduced HIV infections by 96% compared to background HIV incidence. Gilead plans to use trial data to support global regulatory filings for lenacapavir as PrEP by end of 2024.

Gilead Sciences' lenacapavir, a biannual injection for PrEP, showed a 96% reduction in HIV infections in a study, prompting plans for regulatory approvals by 2024. The drug could transform HIV prevention, though concerns remain about global accessibility and cost.

Gilead announces additional data from Phase 3 PURPOSE 2 trial showing lenacapavir, an injectable HIV-1 capsid inhibitor, reduces HIV infections by 96% compared to background HIV incidence and is superior to daily Truvada for HIV prevention. The trial included diverse participants and spanned multiple countries. Gilead plans to initiate regulatory filings for lenacapavir for PrEP by the end of 2024.