WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

HGP2 aims to sequence >1% of the world population (80M individuals from >100 countries) and contribute 50,000 T2T phased diploid reference genomes to a Human Pangenome Project. It will define standards for integrating multi-omics into precision medicine and create large multi-omics cohorts (>0.1% of the world population). HGP2 will implement clinically actionable reporting and intervention for all sequenced genomes, conduct health economics studies, catalog genetic and multi-omic variation, clarify clinical relevance, and embed findings into clinical practice. It will address economic, organizational, infrastructural, scientific, and ELSI challenges through international collaboration and funding initiatives.

The 2024 NIDA International Forum, held in Montreal, featured over 200 attendees from 73 countries, focusing on addiction research, treatment, and policy. Key sessions included updates on NIDA's strategic priorities, discussions on drug policy reforms, medical cannabis education, opioid stigma in pharmacies, and real-world interventions. The event also highlighted international research collaborations and the importance of addressing substance use in humanitarian settings.

Pre-medication with dexamethasone reduces infusion-related reaction rate with intravenous RYBREVANT® by three-fold in EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC patients.

The pharmaceutical robots market, valued at $177.9 million in 2022, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% to $426.8 million by 2031, driven by chronic disease prevalence and automation demand. Key applications include drug development, packaging, and personalized medicine. Asia Pacific leads in market growth, with technological advancements and partnerships like ABB-XtalPi and Noah Medical-UChicago Medicine shaping the future.

Men have higher Covid-19 mortality and ICU admissions; women more prone to long Covid. Testosterone in trans men undergoing hormone therapy regulates immune response, potentially explaining sex differences in Covid-19 outcomes. Larger studies needed; vaccination coverage expected to rise slightly by 2026.

Apple's latest AirPods feature built-in hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss, with personalized adjustments via iOS 18 hearing tests. Additionally, new Apple Watch features detect sleep apnea, pending FDA approval.

China's first mpox vaccine, developed by Sinopharm, begins clinical trials with promising results for immunity protection. The vaccine aims to control mpox, classified as a Class B infectious disease in China, amid rising global cases. China has reported over 2,500 mpox cases, prompting enhanced screening measures for overseas arrivals.

GLP-1 receptor agonists may reduce substance use disorders, but findings are inconsistent due to study variability and patient differences.

Company reports vaccine's safety, efficacy, and reliable production methods. Nonhuman primate models show good immune protection against monkeypox. No approved mpox vaccine in China; few globally approved in US, Canada, EU, Japan, Russia. WHO declared monkeypox in Africa a public health emergency in Aug 2023.

Cambridge University spinout CardiaTec raises $6.5M to use AI in drug discovery for cardiovascular diseases, aiming to decode CVD biology and identify novel therapeutics through partnerships with 65 hospitals.