Research and Clinical Breakthroughs 🔬
1. New Inhaled Drug for COVID-19 and Lung Infections
- Inhaled Heparin Trial Results: International researchers announced the results of a clinical trial at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress in Amsterdam. They found that inhaled nebulized unfractionated heparin, an inexpensive and widely available drug, significantly lowers the risk of death and the need for ventilation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The drug, traditionally used as an anticoagulant, was tested in inhaled form to target the lungs directly, where it appears to function as an anti-inflammatory and pan-antiviral agent.
- Source: ScienceDaily
2. Significant Advance in Prostate Cancer Therapy
- Combined Radioligand Therapy: New clinical trial results presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) showed that adding a PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy (using the drug 177Lu-PNT2002) before standard stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for men with recurrent prostate cancer more than doubled their progression-free survival (from 7.4 months to 17.6 months). This combination reduced the risk of cancer returning or the need for hormone therapy by 63%.
- Source: UCLA Health
3. Expanded Alzheimer’s Access for Veterans
- The San Francisco VA Health Care System announced it is now offering new anti-amyloid therapies for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease to veterans. This makes it one of only 19 VA medical centers nationwide to offer these cutting-edge treatments, aiming to provide more time and independence to the Veteran community.
- Source: VA News
- Alzheimer’s Drug Approval in China
- Regulatory Milestone: Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai announced that lecanemab (marketed as LEQEMBI®), a treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease, has been approved in China for intravenous (IV) maintenance dosing.
- Source: Eisai Co., Ltd.
- Friedreich’s Ataxia: Larimar Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, is hosting a conference call and webcast today to discuss updates on its nomlabofusp clinical development program as a potential treatment for the complex rare disease Friedreich’s ataxia.
- Source: Larimar Therapeutics, Inc.
Global Health Observances and Events 🌍
World Heart Day
September 29 is celebrated globally as World Heart Day, led by the World Heart Federation (WHF). The event is designed to raise international awareness and promote action to combat Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide. The 2025 theme is focused on making every heartbeat count.
PAHO Walk for Health:
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held its 21st annual Walk for Health in Washington, D.C., gathering hundreds to promote physical activity and well-being as key defenses against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The event precedes the 62nd PAHO Directing Council meeting starting tomorrow, where Member States will discuss strategies on NCDs and high-cost health technologies.
