STANFORD UNIVERSITY

UniTox, a dataset of 2,418 FDA-approved drugs, uses GPT-4o to summarize and rate drug-induced toxicities, covering eight types. It achieves 85-96% concordance with clinicians and up to 93% accuracy in predicting molecular toxicity, surpassing existing models. UniTox bridges gaps in toxicity evaluation across multiple organ systems, offering insights into toxicity patterns and correlations.

Innocan Pharma achieved significant milestones in 2024, including FDA agreement on preclinical and Phase 1 clinical development plans for its liposome-cannabidiol technology (LPT-CBD) for chronic pain treatment. The FDA also acknowledged LPT-CBD under the 505(b)(2) pathway, accelerating patent utilization and commercialization. Additionally, the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine granted Innocan a fee waiver and an Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) number for LPT-CBD's veterinary development. These advancements position Innocan to accelerate its development in 2025, aiming to deliver innovative pain management solutions for both human and veterinary applications.

A UCSF clinical study led by Dr. Geoff Manley aims to revolutionize TBI treatment with an adaptive platform trial testing three drugs. Matt Vann, a firefighter with a TBI, hopes the study will lead to new medications for TBI patients.

Christina Curtis, PhD, MSc, receives the 2024 AACR Outstanding Investigator Award for Breast Cancer Research and the Susan G. Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Basic Science, recognizing her contributions to understanding breast cancer molecular determinants and developing predictive biomarkers. She is the first to receive both awards in the same year.

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.

Susan G. Komen honors five leaders transforming breast cancer research and care: Christina Curtis, Fabrice André, Graham Colditz, Mina Sedrak, and Virginia Mason. Awards recognize contributions to understanding breast cancer biology, personalized treatment, risk reduction, and patient advocacy.

Akoya Biosciences announced that spatial proteomics was named 'Method of the Year 2024' by Nature Methods, recognizing its transformative potential in biological research and medicine. Akoya, a leader in spatial proteomics, offers end-to-end solutions with instruments, reagents, software, and services, enabling insights into cellular mechanisms and disease progression. Esteemed researchers highlight the technology's ability to explore complex tissue architecture and cellular interactions.

Kite, a Gilead Company, announced findings from three new Yescarta analyses at the 66th ASH Annual Meeting, demonstrating improved outcomes for R/R LBCL patients. The largest RWE analysis showed a 71% OS rate in second-line treatment, consistent with ZUMA-7 outcomes. RWE also indicated a decreasing trend in CRS and ICANS incidence and severity over time in the third-line-plus setting. The ALYCANTE study revealed stable long-term HRQoL for R/R LBCL patients treated with Yescarta.

The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at MGH awarded the sixth annual Sean M. Healey International Prize for Innovation in ALS to Leigh Hochberg, M.D., Ph.D., and the BrainGate Consortium team for their groundbreaking Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) aimed at restoring communication, mobility, and independence in neurological diseases including ALS.