Targeted Radiopharmaceutical Therapy: Advances, Investment Dynamics, and Future Directions—Part 1

This is a very comprehensive overview with a bit more emphasis on the business development side. It may be of interest to innovators, ADC developers, and anyone interested in biotech emerging markets.

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FNIP1 variants are associated with favorable metabolism in 1 million humans

We tend to think of mutations as bad or deleterious to our health. This report in Nature describes a mutation in a specific gene called FNIP1 that is linked to several health benefits such as decreased levels of belly fat and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The mutations appear to be rare, but the findings reveal a possible target for drugs that could provide protective effects against cardiometabolic diseases.

From Nature Briefing Article here

Wearable Patch Vibrates When It Detects Environmental Hazards

The development of this device could hold potential for those responding to forest fires or any type of disaster in which the release of hazardous chemicals is at high risk.

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A Neanderthal-derived gene variant was associated with increased lean muscle mass in adults.

Ever wonder why some people at the gym are really built up?  This article by Technology Networks suggest that muscle development in a small percentage of people could be influenced by genes that were inherited from Neanderthals.

Read about it here

US boosts drone surveillance as flesh-eating screwworms spread in Texas

This report takes us out of the lab and into the realm of public health and veterinary medicine. Until recently, screwworm has been eradicated from the US. Over this past summer outbreaks have occurred in cattle in our southern states.

Screwworms are the larval stages of a fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax) that lays its eggs in open sores it finds in cows. When the eggs hatch, the screwworms feast on the cow’s tissues. This causes an inflammatory response in the muscle tissue and inflammation cause the release of heat that can be detected by an infrared camera.

The USDA has borrowed drones carrying heat-detecting cameras from Homeland Security to surveil cattle herds for potential screwworm infestation.

Here is the story

Similarly, drones have been used to monitor dolphin pod health by detecting increased heat in their blow holes.

Not like any other allergy: As alpha-gal cases rise, researchers work to understand the tick-borne enigma

Ticks are known for carrying lyme disease.  This study points out that the saliva that they inject to harvest a blood meal can sensitive people to meat proteins.

Read about it here.

Misleading Antibody Validation Images Controversy Expands to 15 Vendors

A new report shows image manipulation in antibody validation data appears to be more widespread than previously thought. Experts advocate for third-party validation.

Most pharma and biotech conduct independent studies to confirm antibody reactivity, nonetheless, working with inferior products wastes time.

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