WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Dr. Jay Varma, ex-Covid czar of NYC, is under investigation for allegedly spinning media stories about SIGA Technologies' monkeypox drug TPOXX to protect stock prices. Secret recordings reveal Varma's comments, leading to a 15% drop in SIGA's stock. Varma was fired from SIGA and removed from its board.

FDA approved Cobenfy, a new schizophrenia treatment targeting cholinergic receptors, offering an alternative to traditional antipsychotics with fewer side effects. Expected to be available in late October, it costs $1,850 per month.

Corning Incorporated launches a nationwide awareness campaign in India on World Rabies Day, supporting WHO’s “Zero by 30” goal. The campaign, driven by Serum Institute of India and SEWA, aims to educate communities on pet vaccination, immediate medical attention after animal bites, and the importance of vaccines. Initiatives include educational workshops, informational materials, and vaccination drives, targeting rural areas and empowering women’s groups.

FDA approves Regeneron and Sanofi’s Dupixent as the first biologic treatment for adults with eosinophilic COPD, based on Phase III BOREAS and NOTUS trials showing significant reduction in exacerbations and improved lung function. Dupixent also improved quality of life and had a consistent safety profile.

Article references explore socioeconomic impacts on child development, brain structure, and neurodevelopmental outcomes, emphasizing the role of early life stress, parenting behavior, and neighborhood conditions in shaping cognitive and emotional outcomes.

U.N. General Assembly approves political declaration to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a threat to modern medicine. AMR, caused by misuse of antibiotics, leads to drug-resistant infections, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and conflict zones. The declaration aims to reduce AMR-related deaths by 10% by 2030 and ensure 70% of antibiotics used are safer. Investment in AMR interventions is projected to yield high returns, emphasizing the need for political commitment and sustainable financing.

WHO released guidance to improve clinical trials globally, addressing issues like poor design, limited diversity, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. It aims to strengthen country-led R&D ecosystems, ensuring faster and equitable access to safe interventions. The guidance emphasizes including underrepresented groups like pregnant women and children, and prioritizes patient and community engagement in trial planning.

FDA approves Cobenfy, first new schizophrenia drug in over 30 years, combining xanomeline and trospium chloride to manage symptoms via a different mechanism targeting acetylcholine, potentially reducing common side effects like weight gain and drowsiness.

Vector-borne diseases cause over 1M deaths annually; genetic control technologies like the sterile insect technique (SIT) are gaining traction as alternatives to chemical insecticides. SIT involves releasing irradiated sterile male mosquitoes to mate with wild females, producing no viable offspring. Recent advancements include cost-effective mass-rearing, sex separation, and irradiation protocols. The WHO's phase conditional approach (PCA) guides SIT implementation, emphasizing integration with other control methods and area-wide application. Currently, 39 SIT projects globally target Aedes species, with notable progress in Europe and Singapore.