BioSpectrum Asia Magazine - April 2023

In this issue

A World Sans MALARIA
Malaria has long been a major public health concern in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in South East Asia (SEA) affecting millions of people. According to a latest report on malaria from the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were approximately 5.4 million cases and 9000 deaths in the region in 2021. The SEA region has nine countries where malaria is prevalent, and their contribution to the global burden of malaria cases is two per cent. India is the main contributor to the malaria cases in the region, accounting for 82.5 per cent of them, followed by Indonesia with 15.6 per cent, and Myanmar with 1.6 per cent. These three countries were responsible for almost all of the malaria cases in the region, making up 99.7 per cent of the total estimated cases. Governments, healthcare organisations, and communities are implementing innovative strategies, technologies, and programmes that can help curb the spread of malaria. Though these efforts were hampered because of COVID-19, in 2022, the WHO South-East Asia Region renewed its commitment to eliminate malaria by 2030, with countries pledging accelerated action and greater efforts at the sub-national and community levels. Other parts of Asia also progressed well. China was declared Malaria free in June 2021, after 70 years of fighting. In its fights against malaria, Asian countries have recently
announced significant investment including a $1.9 million investment in February 2023 by Japan’s GHIT Fund for the research and development of a new malaria drug, and a $1 million contribution by Singapore’s Ministry of Health to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, announced in December 2022. While observing World Malaria day on April 25, let’s explore the current status of Asia’s malaria elimination efforts, highlighting the progress made and strategies needed for a malaria-free future.

A World Sans MALARIA

Malaria has long been a major public health concern in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in South East Asia (SEA) affecting millions of people.

10+ mins

Addressing 'Orphaning' of Rare Diseases

To tackle any disease requires sustained research and development (R&D), to help us learn more about it and to create effective treatments. However, when it comes to R&D around rare diseases, there are few key challenges which ultimately impact patient outcomes.

2 mins

"Immutep has started exploring the potential of the first ever triple combination therapy with Eftilagimod"

Australian firm Immutep has partnered with Merck and Pfizer for a new Phase I clinical study in patients with urothelial cancer for its lead product candidate -eftilagimod, in combination with avelumab (BAVENCIO).

2 mins

"APAC continues to be a global hub for clinical trials"

The Asia Pacific (APAC) represents more than a third of all cell and gene therapy in global trials.

5 mins

"India is now working on the target of ending TB by 2025"

Noting the declining number of Tuberculosis (TB) patients, India resolved to eliminate TB by 2025 as against the global target of 2030.

5 mins

The Key To A Precision Medicine Future: AI Plus Human Ingenuity

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to find new promising targets and design new molecules to treat diseases. It is also being applied in the optimisation of the clinical trial process – analysing data to predict outcomes to help prevent timely and costly late-stage failures, and producing health digital twins to speed up trials, and precision public health. It’s very possible to imagine a data-driven, streamlined, precision medicine future merging the best of human and machine intelligence to manage our individual health in ways we never previously imagined.

5 mins

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BioSpectrum Asia Magazine Description:

BioSpectrum Asia Magazine is a monthly magazine published by MM Activ Sci-Tech Communication in India. It is a leading biotechnology magazine in Asia, covering a wide range of topics related to the biotechnology industry, including:

* Biotechnology news and trends: BioSpectrum Asia covers the latest biotechnology news and trends from India and around the world.
* Biotechnology company profiles and interviews: The magazine profiles leading biotechnology companies in Asia and interviews their CEOs and other top executives.
* Biotechnology research and development: BioSpectrum Asia covers the latest biotechnology research and development from academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies.
* Biotechnology product reviews: The magazine reviews the latest biotechnology products and services.
* Biotechnology industry events: BioSpectrum Asia covers biotechnology industry events from around the world.

BioSpectrum Asia Magazine is a must-read for anyone who wants to stay informed about the latest advances in biotechnology and their potential to impact the world around us.