Health

Dutch scientists have reportedly discovered microplastics in human blood for the first time, and have warned that the particles might even travel to organs. 

In a study published in Environment International journal last week, blood samples of 22 healthy volunteers were examined, and microplastics, which are small pieces of mostly invisible plastic, were found in almost 80% of the samples, with half of the samples having traces of PET plastic and over a third having traces of polystyrene.

Microplastics have been found almost everywhere on Earth, whether in the deepest parts of oceans or the highest parts of mountains, in the food c

Healthcare company, Sanofi, and investment major, Blackstone, have reportedly announced a strategic collaboration focused on accelerating the pivotal studies and clinical development program for subcutaneous formulation as well as delivery of Sarclisa®, an anti-CD38 antibody that can be used for treating multiple myeloma (MM).

As part of the collaboration, funds being managed by Blackstone Life Sciences (BXLS) would be contributing up to €300 million ($330 million) for the proposed acceleration of the studies. As a result, BXLS would be eligible for receiving royalties from subcutaneous sales in the future.

The study for the fo

European pharmaceutical firms, Sanofi S.A. and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have reportedly announced positive results from the late-stage clinical testing of their new COVID-19 vaccine, named Vidprevtyn, as per a spokesperson from Sanofi.

The two firms are now planning to seek regulatory authorization from the US and Europe for Vidprevtyn’s administration.

Vidprevtyn, a protein subunit vaccine, is a more traditional type of vaccine as compared to mRNA or adenovirus vector virus, and can be stored at refrigerator temperatures, and can therefore be used in places that do not have ultracold storages.

It

SK Bioscience, the South Korean biopharmaceutical firm, has reportedly announced that it has signed a $31 million (₩37 billion) order to deliver Sky Varicella, its chickenpox vaccine, to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Given that it is responsible for distributing vaccines in bulk on behalf of nations in the southern and central American areas, the PAHO, alongside UNICEF, has one of the world's highest vaccine demands.

As per the South Korean firm, the recent order was the very first time SK Bioscience has successfully secured a winning bid with PAHO.

Companies must earn the World Heal

The Omicron variant, a highly contagious variation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, whose most prevalent type is classified as BA.1, now reportedly accounts for practically all Covid-19 infections worldwide. However, despite significant spikes, cases have already peaked across some nations.

This is not the end though, as scientists are currently tracking an increase in infections caused by BA.2, a relatively close subvariant of BA.1 that is beginning to outpace it in European and Asian countries.

As of January 25, BA.1 was responsible for a total of 98.8% of cases brought to GISAID, the database to track the public viruses. But, according to th

Boris Johnson, the UK’s Prime Minister, has reportedly proposed to scrap the free lateral flow tests to curb cost concerns. Free testing will be confined to high-risk locations such as hospitals, nursing homes, and schools under the revised guidelines.

As per a senior Whitehall official, it is possibly not the right time to send out free lateral flow tests to everyone. Most likely, the government is going to shift to less testing and will be able to ramp it up if found necessary.

Recently, Nicola Sturgeon warned Prime Minister Johnson that eliminating the free tests would be completely wrongheaded.

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Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in a national TV address, has reportedly announced that starting January 10^th 2022, the government will start giving out COVID-19 booster shots to healthcare workers and other frontline workers as a precautionary measure amidst growing cases of Omicron variants in the country.

Modi also added that the booster doses would also be made available for those above the age of 60 with comorbidities, following a recommendation from doctors.

Along with the booster shots, the COVID-19 vaccination drive for those aged between 15 and 18 will also begin from January 3^rd 2022.

Advarra Inc., a leading US-based company providing clinical research solutions and services, has announced the launch of Advarra Cloud, a next-generation cloud platform.

With Advarra Cloud, customers will be offered a wider range of options for cloud deployment and will have applications delivered in an easy-to-use and fully managed environment, while also being provided with pre-validated installation and operational qualification.

The platform has been built upon the best industry practices with reduced complexity and an overall lower cost and comes with an architecture that can keep up with the changing regulatory compliance and busi

US-based units of Indian pharmaceutical companies, Unichem Laboratories and Aurobindo Pharma, have ordered a nationwide recall of different products in the regional market, citing manufacturing issues.

As per sources, Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc. has recalled 7,296 containers of its hypertension drug tablets, Carvedilol, following the recently issued enforcement report by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

Carvedilol, a beta-blocker, is used in the treatment of high blood pressure to prevent the chances of stroke, heart attack, or kidney problems. 

The affected lot of 6.25 mg of Carvedilo