World Health Organization

How to get vaccines to remote areas? In Sierra Leone they’re delivered by foot, boat or motorbike

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024
World Health Organization, Chlorine, Farm, Sanitation, Social Science Research Council, Motorcycle, International Growth Centre, COVID-19, Tablet, Vitamin A, Child, Death, Mercury, Telephone numbers in Hungary, Demographics of Sierra Leone, HPV, Vaccination, Safety, Science policy, Vaccine, Ministry, Pandemic, Nursing, Drinking water

In Sierra Leone almost 59% of the population live in remote, rural areas.

Key Points: 
  • In Sierra Leone almost 59% of the population live in remote, rural areas.
  • Roads may be non-existent or in bad condition, making it very difficult for rural dwellers to access healthcare.

Why are vaccination rates low in Sierra Leone?

  • In stark contrast, only 15% of people had been vaccinated in low-income countries.
  • The hardships Sierra Leoneans face are typical of the obstacles people in low-income countries have to overcome to access healthcare.
  • In the early days of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Sierra Leone, it took the average Sierra Leonean living in a rural community three-and-a-half hours each way to the nearest vaccination centre.

How did this vaccine drive tackle the problem?

  • The primary aim of this intervention was to take vaccine doses and nurses to administer vaccines to remote, rural communities, preceded by seeking permission and community mobilisation.
  • At the time, only 6% to 9% of the adults who took part in the programme were already immunised.
  • The leaders were asked for their cooperation in encouraging eligible community members to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Finally, vaccine doses and healthcare workers arrived at the villages to administer the doses.

Looking forward

  • This approach proved 76% more cost-effective than other vaccination campaigns.
  • Transport accounted for a large share of the costs, so the cost-effectiveness of last mile delivery can be increased by offering a “bundle” of health products.
  • Other estimates put the death toll for the same period at 14.83 million, which is 2.74 times higher.
  • Developing cost-effective strategies to make vaccines easily accessible to everyone, everywhere, is the most promising solution to prevent future pandemics.


Niccolò Francesco Meriggi receives funding from Weiss Asset Management, UKRI and the International Growth Centre.

LSU Researchers' Nootkatone Studies Could Lead to Prevention of Lyme Disease

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Ozone, SCI, Innovation, Lyme disease, Biting, Ant, DEET, Tick, Research, Notifiable disease, Nootkatone, Biology, Che, Military personnel, Leg, NSF, Mosquito net, World Health Organization, CDC, Malaria, WHO, Patent, Chemical engineering, Biol, Tree, West Nile virus, FDA, Defense, Deer, LSU, Vaccine

The LSU researchers propose decreasing the cost of the nootkatone synthesis, making any products made with the compound affordable to the general public.

Key Points: 
  • The LSU researchers propose decreasing the cost of the nootkatone synthesis, making any products made with the compound affordable to the general public.
  • “The family of compounds that make up nootkatone is already proven to be both safer and more effective than existing commercial repellents,” principal investigator Dooley said.
  • Years ago, Laine discovered the efficacy of nootkatone as an insect repellent while collaborating with retired LSU AgCenter Entomologist Gregg Henderson in Laine’s lab.
  • Mosquito nets could be covered with it, or they could have cloth ankle bands with nootkatone so ticks can’t crawl up your leg.

Basilea awarded CARB-X grant to develop recently acquired novel class of antibiotics

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Colistin, Beta-lactam, Education, Development, Partnership, Patient, HHS, Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, World Health Organization, Infection, USD, Administration, Antibiotic, BMBF, Pharmaceutical industry

The grant award is to support initial preclinical activities on the antibiotics program recently acquired from Spexis.

Key Points: 
  • The grant award is to support initial preclinical activities on the antibiotics program recently acquired from Spexis.
  • Basilea could receive additional funding from CARB-X, to continue preclinical and early clinical development of the antibiotics program, if the project achieves certain milestones.
  • The program comprises antibiotics targeting LptA, which is part of the lipopolysaccharide transport bridge, an essential structure in Gram-negative bacteria.
  • The molecules belong to one of the very few novel classes of antibiotics in development.

Psyence Biomed Partners with Fluence and iNGENū CRO to Train Research Therapists for Phase IIb Psilocybin Trial

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 8, 2024
Diagnosis, The Lancet, Depression, NASW, Partnership, PAP, Psychotherapy, Palliative care, Patient, Research, Gold, American Psychological Association, Standard of care, Anxiety, Cancer, Doctor of Philosophy, Quality of life, Adjustment disorder, Social work, World Health Organization, Clinical trial, Safety, Adjustment, WHO, National Association, DSM-IV codes, APA, FDA, Physician, Health, PBM, Practitioner, Nursing

NEW YORK, April 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Psyence Biomedical Ltd (Nasdaq:PBM) (“Psyence Biomed” or the “Company”) today announced that its Australian subsidiary, Psyence Australia Pty Ltd. (“Psyence Australia”), has entered into a partnership with Fluence , a global leader in professional education and training for psychedelic therapy research, and iNGENū CRO Pty Ltd (“iNGENū”), an Australian clinical research organization (CRO), to support an upcoming Phase llb clinical trial.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, April 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Psyence Biomedical Ltd (Nasdaq:PBM) (“Psyence Biomed” or the “Company”) today announced that its Australian subsidiary, Psyence Australia Pty Ltd. (“Psyence Australia”), has entered into a partnership with Fluence , a global leader in professional education and training for psychedelic therapy research, and iNGENū CRO Pty Ltd (“iNGENū”), an Australian clinical research organization (CRO), to support an upcoming Phase llb clinical trial.
  • According to Lancet Oncology, Adjustment Disorder affects as many as 19% of patients following a life-limiting cancer diagnosis.
  • “The success of the clinical trial relies on rigorous, standardized therapist training designed to achieve the highest standard of patient care,” said Elizabeth Nielson, PhD, Fluence co-founder.
  • Psyence Biomed anticipates enrolling the first subject in the second quarter of 2024 and expects the primary endpoint results to be available in 2025.

Trinity Biotech Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results & Business Updates

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 4, 2024
CGM, Consultant, Negotiation, Conference, Growth, Data analysis, HIV, Himawari (satellites), Diabetes, World Health Organization, Acquisition, American depositary receipt, Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, Units of paper quantity, Clinical trial, Injection, Balance sheet, Waveform, Pharmaceutical industry

DUBLIN, Ireland, April 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trinity Biotech plc (Nasdaq: TRIB), a commercial stage biotechnology company focused on diabetes management solutions and human diagnostics, including wearable biosensors, today announced results for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and fiscal year 2023 and key business updates.

Key Points: 
  • DUBLIN, Ireland, April 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trinity Biotech plc (Nasdaq: TRIB), a commercial stage biotechnology company focused on diabetes management solutions and human diagnostics, including wearable biosensors, today announced results for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and fiscal year 2023 and key business updates.
  • We expect to have fully executed this change by the end of 2024 and expect this will deliver significant annualised savings.
  • The assets and liabilities attributable to Fitzgerald Industries have been removed from our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023.
  • Total revenues for Q4, 2023 were $13.4m which compares to $15.7m in Q4, 2022, a decrease of 14.6% and which were broken down as follows:

Cannabix Technologies Welcomes Dr. Phillip Olla to the Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
MIS, Brunel University London, Management information system, University of Detroit Mercy, Research, United Nations, University, IBM, Health, Morgan Stanley, Doctor of Philosophy, BT Group, Publication, Roche, World Health Organization, OTC, Telecom, Book, THC, Blood, Consultant, Medical device

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTC PINK: BLOZF) (the “Company or Cannabix”) developer of marijuana and alcohol breath testing devices is pleased to report that Dr. Phillip Olla (Ph.D.) has joined the board of directors.

Key Points: 
  • VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTC PINK: BLOZF) (the “Company or Cannabix”) developer of marijuana and alcohol breath testing devices is pleased to report that Dr. Phillip Olla (Ph.D.) has joined the board of directors.
  • Dr. Olla is an expert in breath technologies, breathomics, healthcare innovation, artificial and medical informatics.
  • Dr. Olla is one of only a handful of scientists globally who has ever conducted delta-9 THC analysis in blood and breath.
  • Dr. Olla is an associate professor at University of Detroit Mercy in Michigan and is the Vice Chair of the MedHealth Consortium.

Cocrystal Pharma Reports 2023 Financial Results and Provides Updates on its Antiviral Drug-Development Programs

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 28, 2024
COCP, MERS, Research, SARS, Enzyme, Drug discovery, Influenza, CFO, COVID-19, Lung, Coronavirus, RNA, Gastroenteritis, G&A, Death, SARS-CoV-2, Trial of the century, IND, Disease, World Health Organization, Post-exposure prophylaxis, Clinical trial, CDC, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Cocrystal, Therapy, FDA, Pharmaceutical industry

Our drug-discovery process focuses on the highly conserved regions of the viral enzymes and inhibitor-enzyme interactions at the atomic level.

Key Points: 
  • Our drug-discovery process focuses on the highly conserved regions of the viral enzymes and inhibitor-enzyme interactions at the atomic level.
  • Cocrystal reported unrestricted cash as of December 31, 2023 of $26.4 million, compared with $37.1 million as of December 31, 2022.
  • Net cash used in operating activities for 2023 was $14.7 million, compared with $21.4 million for 2022.
  • The Company had working capital of $25.0 million and 10.2 million common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

Matinas BioPharma Reports 2023 Financial Results and Provides a Business Update

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Malignancy, Colitis, Survival, BioNTech, Patient, Lung, City, Standard of care, Quality of life, Fungal infection, Aspergillosis, Nationwide, Clinical trial, Bone marrow, Melanoma, Aspergillus fumigatus, Therapy, Human, Psoriasis, Partnership, World Health Organization, Coccidioides, Safety, Clutch (eggs), University, Kidney, Amphotericin B, Neoplasm, Research, Data monitoring committee, Infection, Skin, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Hospital, Immunodeficiency, FDA, Critical, Element, Toxicity, IL-17A, Brain, Conference call, Conference, Johns Hopkins, Nephrotoxicity, Docetaxel, Serum, Inflammation, Mouse, Mortality, Fusarium, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Pharmaceutical industry

BEDMINSTER, N.J., March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: MTNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering groundbreaking therapies using its lipid nanocrystal (LNC) platform delivery technology, reports 2023 financial results and provides a business update.

Key Points: 
  • Aspergillus fumigatus is also included in the FDA qualified designation list of pathogens that pose a serious and life-threatening risk.
  • Revenue for 2023 was $1.1 million, which was generated from the Company’s research collaborations with BioNTech SE and Genentech Inc.
  • Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2023 were $13.8 million compared with $28.8 million as of December 31, 2022.
  • Matinas will host a conference call and webcast today beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.

RTOERO hosts inaugural Future of Aging Summit in Toronto

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Health, University, Longevity, Public policy, Human, Ageing, World Health Organization, Retirement, Summit

RTOERO’s inaugural Future of Aging Summit , scheduled for May 15 to 17 at the Marriott Downtown in Toronto, aims to address the critical and timely issues that a rapidly aging world population poses for healthcare, pension systems, and the labor force, focusing on the Canadian perspective within the global context.

Key Points: 
  • RTOERO’s inaugural Future of Aging Summit , scheduled for May 15 to 17 at the Marriott Downtown in Toronto, aims to address the critical and timely issues that a rapidly aging world population poses for healthcare, pension systems, and the labor force, focusing on the Canadian perspective within the global context.
  • “RTOERO is at the forefront of shaping a future where aging is not just a demographic trend but an opportunity for societal growth and innovation,” says Martha Foster, chair of the board at RTOERO.
  • Fourteen globally recognized aging experts from nine countries will tackle the top five themes in aging, with an emphasis on solutions that will benefit Canada's aging population.
  • Ritu Sadana, head of ageing and health with the World Health Organization, will look into the future of aging.

Healis Therapeutics announces collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and affiliates of Harvard Medical School to advance clinical-stage neuroscience research

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
MGH, Harvard Medical School, Public health, Mass General Brigham, Massachusetts General Hospital, MDD, Patient, Public, Roche, Research, Merck, Social anxiety disorder, DSM-IV codes, Bristol Myers Squibb, Clinical trial, Neuropsychiatry, HMS, World Health Organization, Therapy, Hospital, Safety, WHO, SAD, Major depressive disorder, PTSD, Mass, Pharmaceutical industry

Healis Therapeutics is pleased to announce that it has entered a clinical collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a founding member of the Mass General Brigham health system, and affiliates of Harvard Medical School (HMS).

Key Points: 
  • Healis Therapeutics is pleased to announce that it has entered a clinical collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a founding member of the Mass General Brigham health system, and affiliates of Harvard Medical School (HMS).
  • “We continue to observe very significant need in the neuropsychiatric patient population,” said Dr. Eric Finzi, Co-Founder of Healis Therapeutics.
  • “MDD remains a public health challenge around the world,” said Erik Van Widenfelt, Head of Clinical Trials at Healis Therapeutics.
  • General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School,” said Sebastian De Beurs, Co-Founder of Healis Therapeutics.