YALE UNIVERSITY

SciSparc secures FDA approval for Phase IIb clinical trial of SCI-110, its first-in-class drug candidate for Tourette Syndrome, to be conducted at Yale, Hannover Medical School, and Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. The trial aims to evaluate SCI-110's efficacy, safety, and tolerability in adult patients.

Scientists have made breakthroughs in regrowing damaged neural connections, leading to promising clinical trials for spinal cord injury patients. However, recent tax law and patent regulation changes threaten to derail these treatments, potentially stifling medical innovation. A bipartisan bill aims to repeal harmful Section 174 changes, emphasizing the need for policies that support innovation.

Mona Shahriari discusses psoriasis prevalence, clinical manifestations, treatment modalities, and research gaps in the US Hispanic population, emphasizing the need for diverse clinical trials and cultural sensitivity in treatment.

NIH lab mimics bar to study if anti-obesity drugs curb alcohol cravings; evidence suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists may reduce various addictions. Clinical trials underway, with potential benefits beyond weight loss, including reducing cardiovascular risks, easing sleep apnoea, and slowing Parkinson’s development. Understanding drug mechanisms could optimize responses and mitigate side effects.

Vaccine manufacturing is critical for future pandemic preparedness, requiring global collaboration and optimized processes. Inequitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines highlights the need for manufacturing in low- and middle-income countries. Challenges include diverse vaccine platforms and regional infrastructure differences, necessitating significant process optimization. Collaborative efforts like BioNTech/CEPI in Rwanda aim to address these issues.

John Krystal, MD discusses the potential of ketamine and other psychedelics in treating psychiatric disorders, highlighting the antidepressant effects of ketamine and the development of drug combinations at Freedom Biosciences to extend ketamine's efficacy. The FDA's recent decision on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD has spurred further research into psychedelics for conditions like major depression, PTSD, migraine, and substance use disorders.

Samah Fodeh-Jarad received two grants to enhance health care for underrepresented populations using AI, focusing on patient-centered outcomes in mental health and cancer care. The studies involve national collaborations and aim to develop AI tools like PVminer and EPPCminer to analyze patient concerns and preferences, improving patient-provider communication and health outcomes.

The article profiles various professionals in health and statistics, including John R. Lumpkin, M.D., M.P.H., Mollyann Brodie, Ph.D., Kennon R. Copeland, Ph.D., Tara Das, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.L.I.S., Scott H. Holan, Ph.D., V. Joseph Hotz, Ph.D., Bradley Malin, Ph.D., Sally C. Morton, Ph.D., Lucila Ohno-Machado, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D., Andy Peytchev, Ph.D., C. Matthew Snipp, Ph.D., Kelly Hoover Thompson, J.D., and David R. Williams, Ph.D., detailing their roles, achievements, and contributions to their respective fields.