Breaking WORLD PHARMA NEWS

Novartis shareholders approve the proposed 100% Spin-off of Sandoz

At an Extraordinary General Meeting, Novartis shareholders approved the proposed 100% Spin-off of Sandoz, the Generics and Biosimilars business of Novartis.

Shareholders also approved an ordinary capital decrease of the share capital of Novartis AG in the amount of the share capital of Sandoz.

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Cancer drug conquers COVID inflammation

A cancer drug could play an important role in limiting the damaging effects of lung disease in COVID-19 patients, thanks to new research at Hudson Institute of Medical Research.

The body's inflammatory response to infection is important in controlling viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but when inflammation gets out of control the effects can be lethal.

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A suit of armor for cancer-fighting cells

In recent years, cancer researchers have hailed the arrival of chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy, which has delivered promising results, transforming the fight against various forms of cancer. The process involves modifying patients' T-cells to target cancer cells, resulting in remarkable success rates for previously intractable forms of cancer.

Six CAR T cell therapies have secured FDA approval, and several more are in the pipeline.

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Vividion Therapeutics starts Phase I clinical trial in advanced solid tumors with KEAP1 activator

Vividion Therapeutics, Inc. (Vividion), announced today that it has initiated dosing of patients in a Phase I oncology clinical trial of its investigational oral Kelch-like ECH Associated Protein 1 (KEAP1) activator, VVD-130037. Vividion is a biopharmaceutical company utilizing novel discovery technologies to unlock high value, traditionally undruggable targets with precision therapeutics for devastating cancers and immune disorders, and a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG.

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Preventing the tissue's response to stiffness may be key to slowing the progression of breast tumors

Cells are capable of translating mechanical changes into biological responses. This process is known as mechanotransduction and plays a fundamental role in the progression of solid tumors, such as breast cancer.

It is well-established that a common mechanical alteration in cancer progression involves tissue hardening.

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GSK and Save the Children renew award-winning partnership, with focus on 'zero dose' children who have never received a vaccine

GSK and Save the Children have announced today that they are renewing their award-winning partnership for a further five years. GSK will invest £15 million in the partnership with Save the Children and they will work together to increase child vaccination rates, with a focus on reducing the number of 'zero dose' children in Ethiopia and Nigeria.

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A protein on cancer cells supports the immune response against tumors

Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) identify a new and surprising function of a membrane protein on the surface of cancer cells: It supports and stabilizes an important "co-stimulatory" factor that enhances the activation of T cells, thus improving the immune response against the tumor. The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the Netherlands Cancer Institute.

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Turmeric may be as good for treating indigestion as drug to curb excess stomach acid

A natural compound found in the culinary spice turmeric may be as effective as omeprazole - a drug used to curb excess stomach acid - for treating indigestion symptoms, suggests the first study of its kind, published online in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.

Turmeric is derived from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It contains a naturally active compound called curcumin thought to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and has long been used as a medicinal remedy, including for the treatment of indigestion, in South East Asia.

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FDA takes action on updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to better protect against currently circulating variants

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took action approving and authorizing for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines formulated to more closely target currently circulating variants and to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. Today's actions relate to updated mRNA vaccines for 2023-2024 manufactured by ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

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Antidepressant use in people with both physical health problems and depression

Many people with diseases such as cancer or diabetes or those who have had a heart attack or stroke also suffer from depression. How effective are antidepressants for these patients? And are they just as safe for these people as for those without physical health problems? Researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Aarhus University in Denmark have teamed up to investigate these questions.

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