RECENT NEWS

PharmaKure, which develops precision medicines for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, has announced a new epigenetics collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University. This partnership will focus on ‘gene-based environmental biomarkers’, known as epigenetic markers, for calculating risk scores for Alzheimer’s disease.

Bio-Rad Laboratories has launched the new Vericheck ddPCR Replication Competent Lentivirus Kit and the Vericheck ddPCR Replication Competent AAV Kit.

The British Society For Microbial Technology (BSMT) has announced a change of venue for its Annual Microbiology Conference, which will now take place at UKHSA, Colindale. The date – 2 May – and programme of speakers remain unchanged.

The USA National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a clinical trials network to evaluate emerging technologies for cancer screening. The Cancer Screening Research Network (CSRN) will support the Biden-Harris administration’s Cancer Moonshot, and eight groups have received funding.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust has partnered with Solmedia, Roche and P+HS Architects to equip its new histopathology laboratory with workstations that will maximise the benefits of the laboratory environment. The new workstations will improve employee retention, increase efficiency and productivity whilst also lowering the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI), sickness and fatigue.

PolyBio Research Foundation has announced the second phase of its Long Covid Research Consortium (LCRC), including the distribution of $15 million to fund research and clinical trials. With its new phase of research, PolyBio expands the consortium's international reach, adding teams based in France, the UK, and Sweden.

Proscia has established a new partner alliance to help laboratories grow their use of digital pathology through an increasingly comprehensive approach. Proscia Ready is made up of solution providers committed to delivering more than tightly integrated technologies so that life sciences organisations, including pharmaceutical companies and contract research organisations (CROs), and diagnostic laboratories can realise the full promise of digital pathology.

Dame June Raine, Chief Executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has announced that she will be stepping down in the Autumn following five years in the role. She took up the post in August 2019, following a career in medicines regulation.

A cross-sector coalition of health and diagnostics organisations is calling for urgent action to combat the imminent threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Led by the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA), the coalition is highlighting missed opportunities to use proven diagnostic technology that can help to reduce prescribing of antibiotics when they are not needed.

A study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Lund University in Sweden shows that a blood test can be as good at detecting molecular signs of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain as cerebrospinal fluid tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

PACE (Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy) has announced a partnership with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to support innovators developing new antimicrobials.

Registration for the 2024 SHOT Symposium is now open. The event will be held on Tuesday, 9 July 2024 at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

The NHS is offering routine preventative bowel cancer screening to thousands of people in England with a genetic condition that increases their chance of developing certain cancers. This is a world-first move by the health service to help reduce cases and identify bowel cancers earlier when successful treatment and cure is more likely.

MIP Discovery, a developer of non-biological affinity reagents designed to accelerate the development and production of cell and gene therapies, has closed a £7 million Series A financing round. The investment marks a pivotal change for MIP Discovery as the Bedfordshire-based company refocuses its mission on improving the downstream processing of cell and gene therapies, to accelerate widespread adoption of these potentially life-changing medicines.

Using gene editing proteins combined with nanopore sensing technology, new research shows that testing for mpox pathogens could become faster and more accessible.

A new group has been formed by the UK Approved Bodies for certifying medical devices, with 11 companies joining forces as Team-AB (The UK Association for Medical Device Approved Bodies).

UK patients want better access to early and accurate diagnosis of health problems, according to new survey data from the Patients Association. Nine in ten (90%) of UK patients say it should be more straightforward to get the diagnostic tests they need.

NHS Grampian has launched a pilot scheme aimed at diagnosing bloodborne viruses (BBVs) earlier – which improves outcomes and treatment options for patients. Early detection of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV can be lifesaving, as they are treatable. But if left untreated they can lead to serious illness and death.

Alpha Laboratories has introduced the latest advancement in faecal calprotectin extraction workflows. The CALEX Faecal Calprotectin Collection Kit is an innovative solution that enables patients to prepare and return their samples, revolutionising the traditional stool testing process. Stabilised samples arrive in the laboratory ready for processing and analysis.

Advanced Instruments, a provider of analytical instruments and services for clinical and biopharmaceutical laboratories is delighted to welcome Jo Felix to the team as Key Account Manager for the Clinical Portfolio in the United Kingdom.