WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

NovoCure's Optune Lua, a wearable for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC), received FDA approval for use with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or docetaxel. The Phase III LUNAR trial showed a 3.3-month increase in median overall survival for patients using Optune Lua.

Purdue researcher Sharath Iyengar aims to revolutionize diagnostics for antibiotic-resistant infections using flow cytometry, enabling quicker and more effective treatment. His work, funded by the USDA, seeks to address the global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which causes millions of deaths annually. Iyengar's goal is to develop point-of-care technologies for rapid bacterial and cancer cell detection, leveraging advanced tools like microfluidics and machine learning.

HIVMA recognizes Daniel R. Kuritzkes, Oni Blackstock, and Onyema Ogbuagu at IDWeek 2024 for their contributions to HIV medicine, including research on drug-resistant HIV, health equity, and innovative clinical trials.

MVA-BN vaccine showed similar immune response in adolescents and adults with no safety issues in a U.S. phase 2 trial. The vaccine, marketed as Jynneos in the U.S. and Imvanex in Europe, is now approved for adolescents. The WHO has prequalified the vaccine for use in high-risk groups, including infants and pregnant women. Bavarian Nordic plans to trial the vaccine in children aged 2 to 12, and CEPI is funding studies on post-exposure vaccination efficacy.

GE HealthCare collaborates with University Medicine Essen to establish a Theranostics Center of Excellence, aiming to advance personalized cancer care through precision diagnostics, advanced imaging, and AI solutions.

Valneva SE and LimmaTech Biologics AG announced the FDA's Fast Track designation for Shigella4V (S4V), a tetravalent bioconjugate shigellosis vaccine candidate. S4V aims to address the global health threat of shigellosis, which causes up to 165 million cases and 600,000 deaths annually, particularly among children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Valneva will lead further development and commercialization, with Phase 2 studies planned for 2024.

NABI offers multiple biotechnology project vacancies for MSc Life Sciences, Microbiology graduates. Positions include Junior Research Fellow, Project Associate I, and more, with varying durations and qualifications. Emoluments range from Rs. 31,000/- to Rs. 37,000/- per month plus HRA. Interested candidates must attend a walk-in interview on 29.10.2024 at NABI, Mohali.

Clinical trial reporting rates have improved, with 83.4% of EU trials and 77.4% of US trials meeting deadlines, though compliance varies by country. Efforts to enhance transparency include fines and public pressure, aiming to ensure all trial results are published, regardless of outcome.

AI-driven Biomedical Data Translator tool suggests guanfacine for a girl with SHINE syndrome, improving her symptoms. AI's role in translational medicine is promising but faces challenges like data quality and bias, requiring ethical use and human oversight.

Union MoS for Health and Family Welfare Smt. Anupriya Singh Patel addresses 19th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA), highlighting India's new regulatory procedures and global collaborations. Dr VK Paul emphasizes the importance of quality medicines post-Covid-19 pandemic.