Manufacturing and Production

Pierre Fabre and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) have announced the screening of the first patient with a resected stage II BRAF-mutant melanoma for the Phase III study COLUMBUS-AD.

The NHS has published a list of 35 conditions that no longer require a prescription from a GP. These include conjunctivitis, back pain, indigestion, and threadworms.

Patients are advised to go to their pharmacy or supermarket to identify suitable treatments.

This list is intended to encourage people to use over-the-counter medicines purchased out of their own money, enabling the health service to save money it currently spends on dealing with drugs and prescriptions for more minor medical problems.

UK officials have warned that monkeypox could turn into a Europe-wide endemic if pets catch the virus. This could also make the virus a permanent resident of the UK. 57 cases have now been recorded in the country, with a total of 131 confirmed in 19 countries so far, and 106 further suspected cases.

Regeneron has shared positive results from its Phase III trial of a candidate drug, for children with a rare, life-threatening condition characterised by high cholesterol.

The drug, Evekeeza (evinacumab), demonstrated success in treating elevated circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and accelerated, premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD).

The UK’s largest kidney research charity has announced the launch of a study into the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised transplant patients between 12-17 years old. The study will be an extension of a study into how additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines protect immunocompromised adults.

The research project was launched in December of 2021, evaluating third doses in adult patients, and was supported by a coalition of funders including Kidney Research UK, The Medical Research Council, Blood Cancer UK, Vasculitis UK, and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

In efforts to support emergency health needs in Ukraine, WHO have given 20 all-terrain ambulances able to function in even the most damaged and inaccessible areas to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

MGC Pharmaceuticals said a patent had been granted, protecting its unique system used to deliver a cannabis-derived drug being developed to combat hard-to-treat forms of epilepsy, according to Proactive Investors.

The Slovenian Intellectual Property Office has not provided sign-off for CannEpil, which uses a self-nano emulsifying technology to carry the company’s high CBD, low THC medicinal compound.

CannEpil is one of four products approved for use in the Republic of Ireland, and prescribed to 300-400 people both in the Republic and in Australia.