WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

AI in healthcare is rapidly advancing, with the FDA focusing on AI-equipped medical devices. Avant Technologies, Inc. has partnered with Roche and Salud 360 for a pilot program in Costa Rica to combat diabetic retinopathy using AI. The program aims to improve early detection and treatment, with potential expansion to the U.S., Canada, and Europe. AI is also enhancing drug development, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring, with significant market growth projected in AI in Precision Medicine and Healthcare IT.

Doxycycline shows promise in preventing bacterial STIs like syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, especially among men who have sex with men. Studies indicate doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) can reduce STI risk by 53%. However, concerns about antimicrobial resistance and the need for further research on long-term effects and broader applicability remain.

New UK legislation streamlines clinical trial regulations, fostering innovation and faster approvals, aligning with Lord O'Shaughnessy Review recommendations. Amendments focus on participant protection, medicine development, and multi-national trial facilitation. The reforms aim to make the UK a top global research site for safe, groundbreaking trials.

A flu-like illness in Congo, affecting 416 and killing 75, may be malaria; 9 of 12 samples tested positive. Most deaths are children under 14 in Kwango province. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, and anemia. Health officials continue research to confirm the cause.

PanGIA Biotech partners with Canary Oncoceutics to launch the PanGIA® Prostate Assay in India, the first AI-integrated urine test for prostate cancer detection. This non-invasive tool aims to improve early detection and outcomes, addressing the high rate of late-stage diagnoses in India compared to the U.S.

A second NIH clinical trial shows SIGA Technologies' tecovirimat ineffective for mpox, halting recruitment. The STOMP trial found no reduction in lesion resolution or pain vs. placebo in mild to moderate clade 2 mpox cases. This follows the PALM 007 study in DRC, also finding tecovirimat no better than placebo. Despite setbacks, three vaccines remain available, and three ongoing trials for tecovirimat continue.

New UK legislation on clinical trial regulations aims to enhance transparency, encourage participation, and align with global diversity and inclusion standards. Experts highlight the importance of efficient, patient-friendly trials for advancing medical care and meeting WHO best practices.

The Union government prioritizes fast-track clearances, waivers from clinical trials, and faster access to drugs for rare diseases. CDSCO directs states and UTs to approve applications within 90 days, facilitate imports, and prioritize testing of rare disease drugs at government labs.

Tecovirimat showed no efficacy in reducing lesion resolution time or pain in adults with mild to moderate clade II mpox, leading to halted enrollment in the STOMP trial. No safety concerns were noted. The study underscores the importance of clinical trials for mpox countermeasures, with ongoing research for effective treatments.

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.