Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Meghana Keshavan
Published on 2024-02-12 14:38:33
The biotech industry continues to be a hotbed of scientific innovation, political debate, and financial investing. Whether it’s the latest breakthrough in psychedelics, the ongoing struggle against obesity, or the struggles of generic drug manufacturers, there is always something new happening in the biotech world. Here are some of the key developments and stories that are shaping the industry today.
Pfizer’s Super Bowl ad celebrating its 175-year history and commitment to finding new treatments for cancer may have been well-received, but the question remains whether it will make a significant difference in the long run. Meanwhile, Travis Kelce, a Pfizer pitchman for Covid-19 and flu vaccines, celebrated his Super Bowl victory. AN2 Therapeutics announced a potential pause in enrollment for its Phase 3 study due to lower-than-expected efficacy, while Larimar Therapeutics reported positive results from a Phase 2 study of its drug nomlabofusp for Friedrich’s Ataxia.
The issue of scientific misconduct is also in the spotlight, with instances of alleged misconduct having more than doubled from 2013 to 2022. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is investigating potential discrepancies in approximately 60 papers coauthored by four of its top researchers over a 15-year period. The internet has played a role in making these issues more apparent, as individuals can now probe published studies and flag any discrepancies.
Investment in biotech startups developing mental health treatments derived from psychedelic drugs continues to attract substantial funding. Financial Times reports that companies working with hallucinogens MDMA, psilocybin, and DMT raised at least $163 million in just one month. Compass Pathways, a Nasdaq-listed group backed by high-profile investors, is expected to publish phase 3 data from an 800-subject trial showing synthetic psilocybin’s efficacy in treatment-resistant depression.
Generic drug maker Aurobindo has faced production issues after U.S. inspectors found nine quality control issues at one of its plants in India, resulting in the halt of manufacturing on some production lines. This has raised concerns about drug shortages and quality from some suppliers.
The safety profile of weight loss drugs is also under scrutiny, with questions remaining about their long-term safety. A review published in Nature highlights the potential issues and side effects of various weight loss medicines, emphasizing the need for continuous surveillance of their safety in the face of the obesity epidemic.
These are just a few of the many stories and developments shaping the biotech industry today. From scientific breakthroughs to production issues to the ongoing scrutiny of drug safety, the biotech world remains a dynamic and ever-changing landscape.
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