Latest news with #medicalInnovation
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Oxford team's organ-preserving device wins top innovation award
The team behind a pioneering device that keeps human organs alive outside the body has earned a top engineering prize. The device manufactured by Oxford-based OrganOx won this year's MacRobert Award, which is run by the Royal Academy of Engineering, on Tuesday. OrganOx was founded in 2009 by biomedical engineer Prof Constantin Coussios and transplant surgeon Prof Peter device mimics the human body by pumping a blood-like fluid through organs at normal body temperature, supplying oxygen and nutrients. This allows organs - such as livers and kidneys - to remain functional for over 24 hours, producing bile and urine, and even repairing themselves."The fact that there are 6,500 people alive today because of those efforts is what this award recognises," Prof Coussios said.A major US transplant centre reported a drop in median liver transplant wait times from 82 to 14 days, and a reduction in waiting list mortality from 18% to 6%. Recently, the team successfully transplanted 36 kidneys in a first-in-human trial in over 7,500 people still on the UK transplant waiting list, the technology offers hope. "Liver and kidney transplantation are in our immediate sights," said Prof Coussios. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
AI just detected tiny brain tumors often missed by MRIs
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. AI can now detect tiny brain tumors often missed by MRI scans. This breakthrough research, which was conducted by the Netherlands Cancer Institute and Robovision Healthcare, showcases that AI continues to be a game-changer when it comes to pushing medical innovation to new levels. One reason this breakthrough is so notable is because brain metastases are by far the most common type of tumors found in the central nervous system. They can affect up to 17% of adult cancer patients, according to Robovision's statement on the accomplishment. Despite being so common, early detection of these tumors is often difficult, as they grow fast and can be smaller than 3mm in most cases. This makes them hard to spot in the various MRI slides that are taken during a single scan, especially in high volume cases. Today's Top Deals XGIMI Prime Day deals feature the new MoGo 4 and up to 42% off smart projectors Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals However, that could all change very soon. According to a new study published in the journal Radiology, researchers testing the new AI from Robovision Healthcare, were able to achieve a 97.4% lesion-level sensitivity. The results vary from there, though, depending on the size of the lesions present. In lesions that were 12mm or greater, the AI detected 100% of the brain scans with lesions present. Lesions 6-12mm in size were detected accurately 98% of the time, while those between 3-6mm were detected 97.9% of the time. Finally, for lesions smaller than 3mm, the AI was able to accurately detect them in 93% of the brain scans put through the test. This accomplishment is certainly encouraging, especially when tied together with other recent advances in medical AI. Previously, scientists managed to create an AI to detect signs of Alzheimer's development just by listening to voice recordings. Other research has proven that AI can detect certain kinds of cancer 99% of the time, too. The goal of these advancements isn't to replace doctors outright. Instead, it's meant to improve how we detect these deadly diseases, so we can start combating them earlier. Combining human power with the power of AI can help us process important information more quickly and efficiently. But it does require having the right components in place. Robovision says that its AI is only as capable as it is because of how it was trained. It's all about having the right ingredients and developers in place to bring the AI tools to life. This helps avoid false detections and other issues like hallucinating. Of course, it's unlikely AI will ever be infallible. But with humans also helping along the way, it doesn't need to be. It just needs to speed up how we detect cancer—which it is doing—by finding the patients most likely to need a deeper look. More Top Deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 See the
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'I feel lucky to get remarkable Casgevy gene-editing therapy'
A man who was the first person in the UK to receive a groundbreaking gene-editing therapy on the NHS, said he felt " privileged and lucky" and he hoped it would free him from a lifetime of blood Chronis, 28, from Blackpool, has beta thalassaemia, which means he does not produce enough haemoglobin - the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen round he can leave people severely tired, weak, and short of breath and can also be life therapy, called Casgevy, was carried out at Manchester Royal Infirmary and Mr Chronis said he had seen his blood counts increase "on their own for the first time ever", which he called "remarkable". The NHS is one of the first health systems in the world to use the therapy for the condition, which mainly affects people of Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern descent. Mr Chronis was diagnosed with the inherited condition when he was just five years old and is severely anaemic. Since he was a child he has had blood transfusions every three weeks, but this causes its own problems as the body builds up an excess of iron. 'Live without worry' Patients are often on a strong drug regime to deal with the side effects. They can also suffer damaged Chronis, a student, has already had to have his gall bladder removed."It would be fantastic if I could just live the rest of my life without having to worry about having to be near a hospital or having access to a medical team," he said. Previously the only effective cure for thalassaemia was for patients to have a stem cell transplant. But there is a national shortage of donors, and the procedure can also cause complications where the recipient's body rejects the donated uses the patient's own stem cells which are removed, edited over a six-month period so they produce haemoglobin, then reintroduced into the body via infusion. In international clinical trials the technique removed the need for blood transfusions for at least a year in 93% of patients. Last August, NHS England negotiated a deal with the manufacturer Vertex which gives patients access to the treatment for the next five years while further evidence on its benefits to patients is Royal Infirmary is one of just seven sites in the UK to offer the treatment – the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital is Nandini Sadasivam, a consultant haematologist who has been treating Mr Chronis for the past five-and-a-half years, said the treatment was not just life-changing, but potentially life-saving."The majority of people with beta thalassaemia are young. Survival is shortened and the mean age of death is about 55," she said."It's an amazing opportunity having this treatment finally arrive. It is something he has been waiting for, and we all have been waiting for, for a long time". The stem cells arrive at the hospital in phials stored in liquid nitrogen at nearly -200 C (-328 F).Once the team is ready to perform the infusions, one by one the phials are gradually warmed in a saline solution before the contents are mixed and drawn up into a syringe to be taken into the treatment room. Time is of the essence – once the product has thawed it has to be given within 20 Chronis received seven phials in a procedure taking three-and-a-half-hours. He had already spent a week in hospital for chemotherapy treatment to prepare his body. Patients stay in hospital for several days after and are then monitored. It takes between four and six weeks to establish if it has been a months on from his treatment, Mr Chronis sounded upbeat."My check-ups so far have been very encouraging. I've seen my blood counts increasing on their own for the first time ever…it's remarkable," he hope is that he will no longer need the regular transfusions which have restricted his life for decades, giving him the freedom to travel, live and work where he chooses."It's quite a privilege. I feel very lucky," he said."I'm very grateful that the team here in Manchester made the push to make this happen and I hope it's open to many more people". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
NHK
20-06-2025
- Health
- NHK
Facility for producing low-cost iPS cells opens in Osaka
A new center for producing low-cost induced pluripotent stem cells from a patient's own blood has opened in Osaka, western Japan. The Yanai Facility for my iPS Cell Therapy is operated by a foundation affiliated with Kyoto University. Transplanting tissues derived from a patient's own iPS cells is expected to reduce the risk of immune rejection. The cost of production is currently estimated at 50 million yen, or about 350,000 dollars, per batch of cells. The facility aims to reduce the figure to about 1 million yen, or about 6,800 dollars, through automation. The foundation aims to shorten production time from six months to around three weeks, and supply medical institutions with iPS cells for clinical trials starting by fiscal 2028. The facility is equipped with 14 automated iPS cell culture devices and storage rooms. Professor Yamanaka Shinya of Kyoto University, who heads the foundation, says he hopes to provide optimal iPS cells at an affordable price.
News.com.au
19-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Health Check: On Garfield the Cat Day, the biotech sector purrs with deals and breakthroughs
Orthocell says its Remplir nerve device blitzes the stitches Singular Health inks US physician network deal Clarity clearly is undervalued, say brokers Among other auspicious events, the 19th of June marks the end of slavery in the US, Garfield the Cat Day and the birthdays of former British PM Boris Johnson and royal temptress Wallis Simpson. So why not add a slew of meaningful life sciences announcements, including an HIV vaccine breakthrough, to the June 19 pantheon? Let's start with Orthocell (ASX:OCC), which reports 'compelling data' showing its Remplir nerve repair agent is superior to suture-only standard techniques. Stitching accounts for circa 90% of the 700,000 nerve repair procedures done in the US annually. A cuff that envelops the damaged peripheral nerves, Remplir reduces the use of stitching, which can compromise nerve repair. Orthocell's study used a rat sciatic nerve injury model, covering 48 rodents across four treatment groups. These cohorts covered repairs using one, three or six sutures, compared with one suture augmented with Remplir. The rats' nerve function and regeneration were evaluated up to 12 weeks post-treatment. The FDA ticked off Remplir in early April and the device is also approved in Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and here. Thus, the study was pitched not so much as approval as supporting the US sales rollout. Orthocell cites a total addressable market in its target markets of US$3.5 billion, with its already-approved geographies accounting for US$1.8 billion. The US market is worth US$1.6 billion. Stem-cell hope for bone marrow transplant patients NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals (ASX:NSB) highlights previous clinical data showing its soon-to-be acquired stem cell platform is effective in preventing graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). The company is buying the asset, Stemsmart from the unlisted Perth-based Isopogen. The phase I work covered adults and children with life-threatening, steroid-resistant GvHD, a common complication of bone-marrow transplants. The data shows the treatment is safe and well tolerated, 'with no infusion related toxicities'. Furthermore, most adults and children had a 'complete or partial resolution of symptoms and improved survival'. Of the 10 children treated on compassionate grounds, all had survived 12 months post implant. Three of them were still alive six years post treatment. Turning to pancreatic cancer, Amplia (ASX:ATX) reports another patient with a 'complete response' in its 55-patient trial dubbed Accent. As close as dammit to a cure, a confirmed complete response formally is defined as all tumour lesions disappearing, with the effect maintained for at least two months. 'This is a rare outcome in advanced pancreatic cancer where the disease has spread to other parts of the body,' the company says. A Singularly fine US deal Imaging medtech outfit Singular Health Group Ltd (ASX:SHG) has signed a $2 million agreement with a US physician network to develop and use Singular's 3Dicom medical imaging tool. The compact is with Provider Network Solutions (PNS), covering physician networks in Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas. It covers the initial deployment of 1000 3Dicom licences, at US$800 each. Singular pockets a further US$500,000 on 'satisfaction of AI model marketplace and image repository development and integration'. The company hope to expand to the remaining 30 states that PNS covers. 3Dicom converts magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans to enable 'immersive visualisation' with three-dimensional images. Singular also said it had received $8 million of firm commitments in its recently-announced placement. Meanwhile, microbiome testing house Microba Life Sciences (ASX:MAP) is on trading halt pending a capital raising. EZZ girds for US launch Hitherto China and locally focused, health supplements outfit EZZ Life Science (ASX:EZZ) has launched four initial products into the US after winning FDA approval. To be sold under the new Ezzday banner, the products are made in the US and are tailor-made for American consumers. Seeing you asked, the remedies cover de-bloating/de-gassing, vaginal probiotics, skincare and colon detox. Readers can draw their own conclusions as to what that means about the State of the Nation in Trumpian times. Initially, the products will be sold via Amazon and Shopify. Locally EZZ sells via more than 600 chemists and globally via 750 ecommerce platforms, including China's Douyin and Tmall. The company values the US supplements market at US$100 billion a year, pipping China's US$80 billion opportunity. US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Junior (RFK Jr) has a special interest in health supplements, which at the very least shouldn't harm EZZ's US ambitions. EZZ shares have been on a tear – up 33% over the last month – but they are still well shy of the record $5 peak in October last year. HIV jab spells hope for end to '45-year pandemic' Speaking of RFK Jr, the FDA has approved a drug that is meant to protect against HIV with a single administration every six months. Yep – it's a vaccine – so maybe the health czar isn't as avowedly anti-vaxx as we all think. Marketed as Yeztugo by Gilead Sciences, lenacapavir is seen as the best hope of knocking HIV – in effect a 45-year pandemic – on its head. Clinicians say the drug is much more powerful than the current oral treatments and almost 100% effective. 'This is a historic day in the decades-long fight against HIV,' Gilead CEO Daniel O'Day said. 'Yeztugo is one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of our time and offers a very real opportunity to help end the HIV epidemic.' The drug has a list price of US$28,218 ($43,300). But Gilead may provide the vaccine free to non-insured patients. Have investors underestimated Clarity? Is radiopharmacy outfit Clarity Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CU6) a case of 'objects in this rear view mirror are closer than you think'? Following a series of clinical updates from Clarity, broker Canaccord values the company at $6.74 a share, a lofty 210% increment on the current price. In March, Wilsons ascribed an even ballsier $8.25 a share. All things being equal – and they never are – that would value Clarity at $2.6 billion. Sector champ Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX) is worth around $8 billion, bearing in mind it has two FDA-approved prostate cancer imaging tools and a kidney cancer consent in the offing. Yesterday, Clarity said it has struck an agreement with US mob Spectronrx. Spectronrx will provide 400,000 patient-ready does of its copper isotope based 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA (for diagnosing and potentially treating prostate cancer). In the nuclear medicine game, gaining access to nearby doses is half the battle. But this agent's generous half-life means it can be distributed across all 50 US states. Clarity recently announced promising phase II results for 64Cu-Sartate (neuroblastoma) and 64Cu-SAR-Bombesin (PSMA-negative prostate cancer). Another program, Secure, focuses on identifying and treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Clarity currently has no approved products, but Canaccord expects 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA to be on market by mid 2027. 'Recent commercial agreements should remind the market that this potential best-in-class asset could be closer than we think.' The firm reckons Clarity can win a 20% share of the US market, for US$520m in peak sales. Your columnist's nuclear science credentials – the ones plucked from a Weeties pack – are out of date. But it looks like Telix should have one eye on the rear-view mirror and the other on the road ahead.
