Latest news with #TakedaPharmaceuticals
GMA Network
28-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Herbosa cites Dengvaxia lesson as PH mulls approval of Qdenga vaccine
Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the government was evaluating whether to introduce the Qdenga vaccine in the Philippines to prevent dengue in children. The Food and Drug Administration has been reviewing the application of Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceuticals for a certificate of product registration (CPR) for Qdenga since 2023. 'We will not use the Qdenga as a mass-based immunization. It has to be done in your clinics because what we've learned from Dengvaxia was that you should know the serologic status of the person you're giving the dengue vaccine to. So, it's very important that you take a serologic test [to measure antibodies in the blood] before you decide to give any of these new dengue vaccines,' Herbosa said during the 2nd Dengue Summit organized by the Philippine Medical Association on Wednesday. In 2023, Herbosa said that he had no plans to reintroduce Dengvaxia due to controversies surrounding the vaccine. This followed after the manufacturer against prescribing Dengvaxia to patients who have not had the virus in the past, since it may cause severe diseases in the long run. Dengvaxia was even linked to the deaths of Filipino children, but the Department of Justice withdrew the criminal charges against former Health Secretary Janette Garin and several others early this year for lack of adequate grounds for conviction. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine—Research and Innovative Office head Dr. Charissa Borja-Tabora said the World Health Organization recommends the use of Qdenga in children aged 6 to 16 years in settings with high dengue transmission. 'The vaccine is recommended as a two-dose schedule with a minimum interval of three months between doses,' she said. Borja-Tabora added that further innovations and research are being conducted for more effective treatment and prevention of dengue. This includes additional vaccines in development, as well as antibody therapies for passive immunization. 'Vaccines provide direct individual protection against dengue infection, and critically, significantly reduce the risk of dengue hospitalization. And, of course, if you're able to immunize a certain number or percentage in the community, then you also decrease the amount of virus circulating in the community,' she said. According to DOH, the Philippines recorded 119,000 dengue cases as of May 31, up 59% compared to the period from January to May 2024. A total of 470 dengue-related deaths were also recorded in the first five months of the year. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
Free Malaysia Today
11-06-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
‘United Against Dengue' alliance launched to combat surge in cases
Malaysia has recorded 14,310 dengue cases and 16 deaths this year. (Rawpixel pic) PETALING JAYA : A new regional collaboration aimed at strengthening dengue prevention and control across Southeast Asia was launched today. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Takeda Pharmaceuticals have officially launched 'United Against Dengue' (UAD) amid a surge in dengue cases worldwide, with Malaysia alone recording 14,310 cases and 16 deaths this year. UAD, which also involves independent advocacy group Dengue Prevention Advocacy Malaysia, is built on three strategic pillars – educate, advocate, and support. The 'educate' pillar focuses on strengthening community resilience through awareness and preparedness. This includes disease education campaigns, volunteer training via the Epidemic Control for Volunteers toolkit, and hygiene promotion. Enhanced surveillance and early response protocols will also be implemented to guide communities in effectively managing dengue risks. The 'advocate' pillar aims to ensure long-term sustainability of dengue prevention by engaging policymakers, medical societies, and community organisations. Efforts focus on integrating dengue control measures into national health strategies and promoting regional alignment among public health stakeholders. This approach strengthens health systems and supports coordinated action for lasting impact. The 'support' pillar provides direct care and assistance to individuals and communities affected by dengue. This includes mobilising resources and community-based responses to offer timely aid, helping to reduce the disease's impact and support recovery efforts in vulnerable areas. 'UAD exemplifies the power of collaboration and community engagement in tackling this significant public health challenge,' said Dr Deepa Gamage, public health specialist (disease control) at the WHO representative office for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. 'The WHO commends this creative approach to reaching and educating communities across the region. Together, we believe we can make zero preventable deaths by 2030 in Southeast Asia and beyond possible.' Dengue Prevention Advocacy Malaysia chairman Dr Zulkifli Ismail noted that dengue continues to pose a significant public health threat across Asia and beyond, requiring coordinated, multi-sectoral action at both regional and national levels. 'Cross-sector collaboration will continue to be crucial for driving progress and protecting vulnerable populations from dengue, and UAD reflects a clear intent to catalyse collaborative efforts to drive progress in dengue prevention and management,' he said.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
At the WBUR Festival, exploring the good and bad scenarios for Massachusetts' future
On Friday morning, I had the opportunity to help kick off the inaugural WBUR Festival in Boston with a panel on 'The Future of Innovation in Massachusetts.' My panelists: Katie Rae from Engine Ventures, an MIT-affiliated venture capital firm; Julie Kim, president of the U.S. Business Unit at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, now the largest biopharma employer in Massachusetts; and Avak Kahvejian, a general partner at Flagship Pioneering, an incubator of new companies in Cambridge. The group laid out some reasons for optimism about the future of innovation in our state, and also some reasons for concern. I asked what advice they would give to parents of children who are still in school today about the job market. Rae made the case that federal research funding cuts may paradoxically stimulate innovation by pushing academic researchers to create startups and commercialize their work on a faster time frame. In the short term, 'we might get more companies because of this moment than fewer,' she said. She cited Commonwealth Fusion Systems as a prime example — it emerged from an MIT lab that had lost its funding several years ago. 'They invented the company,' she said, instead of letting the science die on the vine. Read more: MassLive's 12 innovation leaders to watch in 2025 'It's not that I'm not upset about what's happening,' Rae said, 'but I do think really good things are going to come out of it.' But over the long term, she acknowledged, 'we're going to get fewer [companies] because there's less funding.' Kahvejian made the case that, while national and global pressures exist, Massachusetts remains extraordinarily well-equipped to generate breakthrough innovations. Flagship Pioneering, where he is a general partner, raised a $3.6 billion fund last year — its largest ever — to invent and launch new biotech companies. Kahvejian noted the state has shown resilience in the past: Many big names of the 20th century, such as Polaroid and Lotus Development Corp., have vanished, but new companies have emerged and grown. Rae offered hope that even in a divided Washington, supporting technology development in areas like advanced chips and energy production has bipartisan support. 'No matter what party you're in, you're going to want to fund the things that are fundamental to long-term economic prosperity and security,' she said. Rae was encouraged that Harvard University is standing up to pressure from the Trump administration, despite efforts to block the school's enrollment of international students and to eliminate essentially all federal funding of research there. Of Harvard President Alan Garber, she said: 'He's doing all those things and actually gaining a lot of support, right? He got a standing ovation at Harvard [graduation] yesterday.' Is there a way for Harvard to emerge victorious in the tangle with Trump and various federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security? 'I think Harvard is winning in a lot of ways,' Rae said. 'They're winning in different court battles. And I think long-term, they will prevail. There's great research there. It's an institution that the U.S. should be proud of, and is proud of, and produces so many of our great leaders ...' Kim sounded the alarm about China's scientific momentum. 'There are now 30% of the original publications [in the journal Science] coming from Chinese labs. The U.S. is now at 30%. The number is declining for the U.S., and it's increasing for China, so ... it's no longer a copycat economy.] There's innovation coming from that country,' she said. Kahvejian pointed to investor hesitation caused by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's inconsistency and volatile stock markets. With regards to the FDA drug approval process, he said that some biotech companies are reporting delays and 'strange responses' — but it's not universal. Kim and Kahvejian both expressed concern about a broader societal drift away from believing in science and supporting scientific research. Kahvejian said that echo chambers, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and misinformation are amplifying anti-science sentiment. 'We need to talk about how this stuff works,' he said, calling for better science education and public engagement. Rae echoed this, warning that resentment of elites and academia is feeding distrust and division. Kahvejian warned that the federal government's wavering stance on vaccines is damaging long-term public health preparedness and also investment in that industry sector. 'We've gone back the other way, almost worse than we were before [COVID], where vaccines are seen as a bad thing,' he said. Kim emphasized that the rapid pace of change makes it impossible to prescribe a single career path. Instead, she advises her own children to lead with intrinsic motivation: 'Pursue your passions,' she said. In her view, the key is not locking into one trajectory, but embracing a mindset of continuous learning and flexibility. In a world where entire industries can emerge or transform within 18 months, passion becomes a compass — guiding students to stay engaged and resilient as the landscape shifts. Kahvejian took that one step further, recommending that students follow not just their passion, but their curiosity, especially across disciplinary boundaries. 'Pursue your curiosity almost more than necessarily your passion,' he advised, warning against rigid academic silos. A student who majors in chemistry but ignores developments in AI or statistics risks becoming obsolete, he said. 'You will be pigeonholed, and you will end up marginalized.' Rae argued that foundational technical skills are as vital as ever. 'Don't be afraid of hard sciences. It is so fundamental to the future,' she said, referring to subjects like physics, biology and chemistry. At the same time, she encouraged students to embrace AI as a partner, not a threat: 'AI is your friend.' She also highlighted the importance of forming relationships with other curious, driven people. 'Cultivate friendships. Cultivate other curious people,' she said. Kim underscored that opportunity doesn't always require a four-year degree. She highlighted work with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to create 'alternate pathways' into biotech and related fields for students pursuing vocational routes. 'There are a lot of things you can do in manufacturing, as well as on the administrative side — marketing, sales, etc.,' she said. Hidden in plain sight: Trump's enduring mark on Massachusetts Waymo's driverless taxis will face some unique obstacles in Boston MassLive's 12 innovation leaders to watch in 2025 New head of $100M AI hub says Massachusetts' strengths shouldn't be a 'best-kept secret' Read the original article on MassLive.
Reuters
21-05-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Health Rounds: Older diabetes drugs appear to slow prostate cancer in small study
May 21 (Reuters) - (This is an excerpt of the Health Rounds newsletter, where we present latest medical studies on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To receive the full newsletter in your inbox for free, sign up here.) A class of older drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes may also help slow the progression of prostate cancer, a small study suggests. Prostate cancer patients with diabetes who were receiving a class of medications called thiazolidinediones, or TZDs, that target the protein PPAR-gamma, 'remained relapse-free during the period we followed them," study leader Dr. Lukas Kenner of Umea University in Sweden said in a statement. "This is a significant discovery.' By targeting PPAR-gamma, the drugs help the body use insulin more effectively, reducing blood sugar levels. It has also been reported that PPAR-gamma can contribute to tumor growth and worse outcomes in some types of cancer. Tracking 69 patients who underwent surgery for localized prostate cancer, including 49 with diabetes, the researchers found that 10 years later, the only ones remaining free of biochemical recurrence – that is, a rise in PSA levels without any other signs or symptoms - were the three with diabetes who had been taking PPAR-gamma-targeting TZDs. In test tube experiments, researchers saw that the drug pioglitazone, sold as Actos by Takeda Pharmaceuticals (4502.T), opens new tab, not only inhibited prostate cancer cell division and growth but also drove a metabolic reprogramming of the cancer cells, weakening their ability to survive and spread. 'Our findings position pioglitazone and similar metabolic inhibitors at the forefront of emerging therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer,' the researchers concluded in a report published in Molecular Cancer, opens new tab. However, they noted that larger, long-term studies are needed to fully determine the impact of TZDs "on the development and progression of prostate cancer and patient survival.' A new study of women with breast cancer found that patients of African or South Asian ancestry have important genetic differences that are not seen in those of European descent, which should be taken into consideration when diagnosing and treating their disease. People of European ancestry have accounted for nearly 80% of participants in genetic association studies, despite representing only 16% of the global population, which means most of what is known about risk, prevention, and treatment is based predominantly on European populations, the researchers said. 'Precision medicine has the power to revolutionize cancer care, but only if it works for everyone,' study leader Dr. Claude Chelala of Queen Mary's Barts Cancer Institute in the UK said in a statement. As reported on Tuesday in Nature Communications, opens new tab, researchers analyzed genetic data and medical records from over 7,000 U.S. and UK women with breast cancer of African, South Asian and European ancestry. They found that patients of African or South Asian ancestry tend to develop breast cancer and die at a younger age than women of European ancestry, suggesting that screening should start at earlier ages in these women. Women of South Asian backgrounds died 13 years younger and those of African ancestry 9 years younger, researchers found. Their study also identified differences in mutation rates in genes linked to breast cancer susceptibility, which are used in genetic testing and influence treatment decisions. Some women had genetic mutations that could have made their cancer resistant to certain treatments that they received, but this was not factored into their clinical management. 'If we fail to address blind spots in research, we risk widening health inequalities rather than reducing them,' Chelala said. Standard tools for diagnosing delirium in the intensive care unit are inaccurate in Spanish-speaking patients, researchers reported, opens new tab at the American Thoracic Society 2025 International Conference, opens new tab in San Francisco. Dr. Ana Lucia Fuentes Baldarrago of the University of California, San Diego undertook the study when she found Spanish-speaking ICU patients who were classified as not delirious showed clear signs of delirium when engaged in Spanish. She had also encountered patients labeled as delirious who were simply unable to communicate effectively because they did not speak English. In 63 ICU patients – 29 Spanish-speakers and 34 English-speakers – her team compared three delirium assessment tools. Two are administered by providers: the English-language Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) for the ICU, and a Spanish-language version of the same tool. The third tool was a new version of the Spanish-language tool designed by the researchers for family caregivers to complete. While the Spanish CAM is the gold-standard assessment for Spanish-speaking patients when administered by a Spanish-speaking provider, there are not enough bilingual providers available to administer it in the United States. Traditional screening methods were not accurate in Spanish-speaking ICU patients when the patient and provider did not speak the same language, the researchers found. Their new Spanish assessment for families to complete was comparable to gold-standard assessments and outperformed usual screening practices in detecting delirium. 'These findings underscore the urgent need to evaluate commonly used clinical tools in diverse populations, particularly among non-English-speaking patients who are frequently excluded from clinical trials,' Fuentes Baldarrago said Spanish-speaking patients also had significantly higher odds of being subjected to physical restraints and deep sedation, and lower odds of receiving evidence-based, delirium-prevention interventions such as physical and occupational therapy, Fuentes Baldarrago said. Her team hopes to conduct larger studies of their tool for families to evaluate whether its use can reduce misclassification and improve clinical outcomes. (To receive the full Health Rounds newsletter in your inbox for free sign up here)
Nikkei Asia
08-05-2025
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Takeda Pharmaceutical to invest $30bn in US over 5 years: CEO
TAITO KUROSE and HINAKO BANNO TOKYO -- Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceuticals will invest $30 billion in the U.S. over the next five years, CEO Christophe Weber said Thursday, with the money going toward both manufacturing facilities and research and development. A string of major pharmaceutical makers around the world have come out with plans to invest in the U.S. after the Trump administration said that it was considering tariffs on drugs and medical products.
