Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Meghana Keshavan
Published on 2024-03-28 12:13:06
Today marks the official debut of Adam’s Biotech Scorecard, a subscriber-only newsletter featuring senior reporter Adam Feuerstein’s candid insights on the ever-evolving realm of biotechnology. Interested readers can sign up to receive it directly in their inbox.
Hello, I’m Meghana. In today’s edition, we delve into the world’s most expensive drug, explore immune senescence, and uncover a potential contributor to a kidney autoimmune disease.
Akebia Therapeutics has attained FDA approval for Vafseo, a medication for anemia caused by chronic kidney disease in dialysis patients. Additionally, Gilead Sciences has secured the exclusive rights to an investigational cancer drug, XTX301, from Xilo Therapeutics. This drug aims to enhance the susceptibility of immunologically “cold” tumors to immunotherapies.
The groundbreaking gene therapy Lenmeldy, priced at $4.25 million by Orchard Therapeutics, has been hailed as the priciest drug globally. Although this cost may seem exorbitant, its ability to grant children with metachromatic leukodystrophy a chance at a normal life validates its value, according to David Rind, ICER’s chief medical officer.
A recent study in Nature sheds light on the aging-related decline of the immune system, attributing it to an imbalance in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) originating from the bone marrow. By rectifying this imbalance through antibody injections, researchers successfully revitalized the immune systems of elderly mice, hinting at potential applications in human health.
Meanwhile, a study in Science Translational Medicine unveils how Akkermansia muciniphila bacteria in the gut microbiome can trigger an autoimmune kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, by altering IgA antibodies. This discovery challenges the conventional understanding of microbiota’s indirect impact on autoimmune diseases, emphasizing the direct role of bacteria in modifying human molecules.
A controversial endorsement by Oprah Winfrey of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy for obesity treatment has raised concerns among healthcare experts. While these drugs may offer benefits, patients should recognize that individualized approaches to metabolic disease management may be more effective than relying solely on pharmaceutical solutions.
In other news, a study suggests that multiple sclerosis encompasses distinct subtypes necessitating tailored treatments, while pioneers of the Food is Medicine movement seek to standardize medically-tailored meals. Moderna’s early vaccine pipeline shows promise in addressing various diseases, and Novocure’s device demonstrates efficacy in slowing cancer progression in the brain.
Overall, today’s medical developments highlight the continuous evolution of biotechnology and the potential for groundbreaking discoveries in healthcare. Stay informed and engaged with the latest advancements in the field.
