Imperial College London

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun won the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for discovering microRNA, which regulate gene activity and could lead to new cancer treatments. MicroRNA are being explored in clinical trials for skin cancer treatment, with potential drug approvals expected in 5-10 years.

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering microRNA, which regulate gene function and could lead to new cancer treatments. Their work revealed a new dimension of gene regulation essential for complex life forms.

Myricx Bio announces Paolo Paoletti joining its Board as an independent Non Executive Director, following a £90m series A financing. Paoletti, with extensive oncology experience, previously led GSK Oncology and GammaDelta Therapeutics, and is currently involved in several life science boards and committees.

Derek Cocker and colleagues advocate for innovative whole system approaches to integrate research and novel technologies within patient pathways to target antibiotic use, minimize healthcare-associated infections, and adapt to novel pathogens. They emphasize the need for system-wide analyses, optimized clinical trial design, and regulatory processes to generate rapid evidence on tackling infection threats. The article highlights the risks posed by patient pathways and calls for a shift to patient-centered care, seamless integration between healthcare settings, and better data sharing to protect patients, staff, and healthcare resilience.

A study explores how quantum optimization and QML can improve clinical trial design, site selection, and cohort identification, leveraging quantum algorithms to handle complex data. Despite hardware limitations, hybrid quantum-classical approaches are seen as the most viable option currently. Quantum computing promises to enhance trial simulations, site selection, and cohort identification, potentially accelerating trial timelines and improving efficiency.

Cell and gene therapies (CGT) promise precision medicine and curative options for genetic disorders but face challenges like complex manufacturing, evolving regulations, and patient engagement. Advances in vector and capsid technology enhance CGT efficacy and accessibility, while regulatory updates and patient-centric approaches are crucial for CGT development.

Psychedelic drugs are nearing prescription for European patients with mental health issues, but hurdles remain. Research on psilocybin and MDMA is ongoing, with potential to treat conditions like depression and addiction. Controversy and challenges in study replication persist, but larger-scale studies and advances in brain scan technology are providing clearer insights. The first psychedelic to hit the European market may be from UK-based Compass Pathways, which is testing psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. The psychedelic movement faces setbacks, such as US regulators rejecting MDMA for PTSD, which could delay access in Europe.

Cepheid partners with Fleming Initiative to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), focusing on accurate diagnostics and responsible antibiotic use. The collaboration aims to address AMR through active screening, community-based testing, and precision medicine for sepsis.

Landmark, a three-year research partnership, aims to detail Parkinson’s disease through sequencing tissue samples from the Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank. The project, involving Parkinson’s UK, Imperial College London, and pharmaceutical companies, seeks to identify predictive biomarkers and new drug targets. Funded by a £4m gift from the Gatsby charitable foundation, the initiative will apply snRNAseq to understand Parkinson’s at a cellular and genetic level, with data made freely available globally.

Landmark, a three-year research partnership involving Parkinson's UK, Imperial College London, and pharmaceutical companies, aims to sequence tissue samples from the Parkinson's UK Brain Bank to build a gene expression map, identify biomarkers, and discover new drug targets for Parkinson's disease. Funded by a £4m gift from the Gatsby charitable foundation, the project will use snRNAseq to analyze samples, producing a major dataset for global research and informing new treatments through Parkinson's Virtual Biotech.