Duke–NUS Medical School

EDUtech Asia: Uniting Education Leaders for a Digital Future

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 31, 2023

This prestigious event will feature 400 education leaders from schools and higher education establishments across Asia, taking the stage to share insights and best practices on shaping the digital future of education.

Key Points: 
  • This prestigious event will feature 400 education leaders from schools and higher education establishments across Asia, taking the stage to share insights and best practices on shaping the digital future of education.
  • She will discuss the impact of AI on the education system and the need for changing assessment practices.
  • Join us at EDUtech Asia to explore the digital future of education.
  • EDUtech Asia 2023 will take place at B2 Halls D, E, F, Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore on the 8-9 November 2023.

Nanoscope Therapeutics Strengthens Research and Development Leadership with Appointment of Najam Sharif, PhD, DSc.

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023

DALLAS, Oct. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc. , a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases, today announced the appointment of Najam Sharif, PhD, DSc, a veteran in drug/device discovery and development, as Vice President of Global Research and Development.

Key Points: 
  • DALLAS, Oct. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc. , a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases, today announced the appointment of Najam Sharif, PhD, DSc, a veteran in drug/device discovery and development, as Vice President of Global Research and Development.
  • "We are delighted to welcome Naj to the Nanoscope team," said Sulagna Bhattacharya, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nanoscope.
  • "I am honored to join Nanoscope, a company that I see as transformative in the field of ophthalmology.
  • Dr. Naj Sharif brings over three decades of experience in pharmaceutical drug/device discovery and development to Nanoscope, including specialized expertise in ophthalmology and neuroscience.

Global Virus Network’s Top Virologists Partner with Monaco to Advance Pandemic Preparedness Across EU Countries

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 20, 2023

Prince Albert II of Monaco, among other dignitaries including from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the GVN.

Key Points: 
  • Prince Albert II of Monaco, among other dignitaries including from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the GVN.
  • Prince Albert II of Monaco said, “I am delighted to support and attend this symposium to improve pandemic preparedness here in Monaco and abroad.
  • We have a duty to remain vigilant, strengthen global governance, and strengthen infrastructure and healthcare systems.
  • Studies showed that phone apps tracking COVID cases and notifying those with exposure, significantly impacted hospitalization and death rates.

EQS-News: Evotec, ClavystBio, Leaps by Bayer, Lightstone Ventures and Polaris Partners launch '65LAB'

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

“65LAB”, Evotec’s first academic BRIDGE in Asia, aims to advance drug discovery and the creation of new therapeutics companies in Singapore.

Key Points: 
  • “65LAB”, Evotec’s first academic BRIDGE in Asia, aims to advance drug discovery and the creation of new therapeutics companies in Singapore.
  • 65LAB was founded to establish a model of long-term partnership to foster future company growth and the development of Singapore’s biotech ecosystem.
  • 65LAB selects promising academic projects and invests up to US$ 1.5 m in each project over the course of 18-24 months.
  • The Board provides oversight and governance to 65LAB’s strategy and operations and includes Dr Wen Qi Ho, Therapeutics Lead, ClavystBio, Dr Christina Isacson, Partner, Lightstone Ventures, Dr Pei Sze Ng, Director, Leaps by Bayer, and Dr Kim Png, Principal, Polaris Partners.

65LAB Launches in Partnership with Evotec SE and Backed by Leading Global Investors to Advance Drug Discovery and New Company Creation in Singapore

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 5, 2023

The first collaboration of its kind in Singapore, 65LAB was initiated by Lightstone Ventures with Evotec to leverage the global capabilities of its partners – including financing, networks, company creation, and drug development expertise -- to identify and accelerate the commercialization of the most promising research from top academic and R&D institutions in Singapore, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Duke-NUS Medical School (a collaboration between Duke University and NUS). 65LAB aims to combine Evotec's end-to-end integrated R&D platform and product development strength with Singapore's first-class academic and translational science, it's growing biotech infrastructure and capabilities to ultimately create breakthrough therapies with a global health impact.

Key Points: 
  • 65LAB was founded to establish a model of long-term partnership to foster future company growth and the development of Singapore's biotech ecosystem.
  • 65LAB selects promising academic projects and invests up to US$1.5 million in each project over the course of 18-24 months.
  • Upon completion, projects will be evaluated by 65LAB's board of global investors for further investment and the creation of new companies.
  • Dr. Thomas Hanke, EVP Head of Academic Partnerships at Evotec, said: "Singapore has multiple world-renowned institutions for basic research in the life sciences.

Us2.ai Partners with Leading Academic Medical Center to Collaborate on AI-Enabled Echocardiography Software

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 13, 2023

In clinical practice, echocardiography is now firmly established as a central, affordable front-line tool for diagnosis and management of a range of cardiac conditions.

Key Points: 
  • In clinical practice, echocardiography is now firmly established as a central, affordable front-line tool for diagnosis and management of a range of cardiac conditions.
  • Even at the most well-resourced setting, the process of acquiring, measuring, and analyzing the images is time-consuming and labor-intensive, making the routine echocardiography application unsustainable.
  • Advances in deep learning have made automated analysis of medical images possible,” said Dr. Manesh Patel, Chief of Cardiology and Co-Director of the Heart Center at Duke University Health System.
  • This covers the vast majority of standard measurements for adult transthoracic echocardiography recommended by the American Society of Echocardiography, European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging, and British Society of Echocardiography.

Boehringer Ingelheim Begins Clinical Development of First-In-Class Treatment for Fibrotic Diseases

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Boehringer Ingelheim is already a global leader in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, and the initiation of clinical development of the anti-IL-11 treatment reflects the company’s long-term commitment to combat fibrotic disease across therapeutic areas.

Key Points: 
  • Boehringer Ingelheim is already a global leader in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, and the initiation of clinical development of the anti-IL-11 treatment reflects the company’s long-term commitment to combat fibrotic disease across therapeutic areas.
  • The IL-11 inhibitor antibody is the first of its kind to reach clinical development stage and is based on a partnership between the Company and Enleofen Bio Pte.
  • ‘Fibrotic disease’ is a term that covers a range of diseases characterized by uncontrolled and progressive fibrosis, or scarring, of various organs and tissues.
  • Some examples of fibrotic diseases are, systemic sclerosis, graft-versus-host disease as well as heart, lung, liver, and kidney fibrosis.

Albatroz Therapeutics Secures $3 Million to Develop First-Ever Therapy Blocking a Universal Process Involved in the Growth and Spread of Cancerous Solid Tumors and Arthritic Cartilage Degradation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 25, 2023

The company also received the first Golden Ticket prize from Amgen in Singapore, recognizing the viability of its science and business plan.

Key Points: 
  • The company also received the first Golden Ticket prize from Amgen in Singapore, recognizing the viability of its science and business plan.
  • Cancer that has metastasized, spreading to other parts of the body, is notoriously difficult to treat and accounts for most cancer deaths.
  • Albatroz has secured exclusive rights on a highly specific and novel target that blocks tumor growth and recurrence, including a range of therapeutic antibodies that inhibit this target.
  • Activation of the target occurs specifically in tumors and arthritic synovial membranes, connective tissue that lines the joint capsule.

LifeStrands Genomics and Ambry Genetics to Provide Laboratory Testing for Clinical Implementation Pilots in Phase II of Singapore’s National Precision Medicine Programme

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 19, 2023

LifeStrands Genomics and Ambry Genetics have joined forces to provide clinical genetic testing services in Singapore.

Key Points: 
  • LifeStrands Genomics and Ambry Genetics have joined forces to provide clinical genetic testing services in Singapore.
  • Together, they have been chosen to support the Clinical Implementation Pilots (CIPs) for Phase II of Singapore’s National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme through an open tender commissioned by Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE) – the central entity implementing NPM.
  • As part of the agreement, LifeStrands will provide the testing menu from Ambry Genetics and sequence the samples in its accredited laboratory, while Ambry Genetics will provide data interpretation and reporting.
  • We are delighted that LifeStrands Genomics has partnered with Ambry Genetics to offer these tests in Singapore,” said Professor Tai E Shyong, Chief Medical Officer, PRECISE.

Janssen Announces Novel Dengue Antiviral Demonstrates Efficacy in Pre-Clinical Data Published in Nature

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 15, 2023

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) announced today the publication of new data in the journal Nature showing that an early-stage clinical candidate (JNJ-1802) provides strong protection against dengue in non-human primates and mice.

Key Points: 
  • The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) announced today the publication of new data in the journal Nature showing that an early-stage clinical candidate (JNJ-1802) provides strong protection against dengue in non-human primates and mice.
  • These findings build on research published in Nature in 2021 that first identified the novel mechanism of action from the same chemical series as JNJ-1802.
  • In addition to developing JNJ-1802, Johnson & Johnson is working to holistically strengthen R&D for dengue, including through novel R&D approaches and leveraging emerging technology.
  • You can learn more about Johnson & Johnson’s efforts to beat NTDs, including dengue, by visiting JNJ.com/NTDs .