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UW Bioengineering Team Receives Award to Develop Inhaled Antibiotic Treatment to Combat Drug Resistance

UW Bioengineering Team Receives Award to Develop Inhaled Antibiotic Treatment to Combat Drug Resistance

Professor Patrick Stayton and clinical colleagues Professors Eoin West and Shawn Skerrett at the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine have received an award from Wellcome Leap's $50 million Focused Antibiotics program. This funding supports their development of an inhaled antibiotic treatment for pneumonia. The current standard treatment for pneumonia, a pill-based antibiotic, often kills beneficial gut bacteria, leading to digestive side effects and promoting the reproduction of drug-resistant bacteria. The UW team's innovative approach aims to deliver the antibiotic directly to the lungs, where the infection is located, thereby minimizing exposure to the gut microbiome. This targeted delivery is expected to reduce the development of antibiotic resistance and improve therapeutic outcomes. The project focuses on creating a polymer prodrug version of the common amoxicillin-clavulanate combination, which would be administered via nebulizer or inhalation devices.
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ATA Action Urges Congress to Extend Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities and Remote Prescribing Waivers

ATA Action Urges Congress to Extend Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities and Remote Prescribing Waivers

ATA Action, a division of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA), has submitted a statement to the House Energy and Commerce Committee advocating for the extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2026. This support is specifically for the bipartisan Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 (H.R. 7623). The organization emphasizes the critical role these provisions play in expanding access to care, particularly for mental health services. Furthermore, ATA Action has called upon the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to issue a special registration rule to permit the continued remote prescribing of controlled substances. The current waivers allowing this practice are set to expire, and the ATA warns of a potential public health crisis if these extensions are not granted, leading to significant disruptions in patient care.
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U.S. News World Report Survey Highlights Core Lifestyle Habits for Healthy Aging

U.S. News World Report Survey Highlights Core Lifestyle Habits for Healthy Aging

A recent survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report indicates that fundamental lifestyle habits, including physical activity, balanced nutrition, and social connection, are considered the most effective strategies for healthy aging by health experts. The survey, which gathered insights from 63 experts including medical doctors, clinical scientists, and dietitians, emphasizes that daily behaviors are more crucial than biohacks, supplements, or emerging technologies. Specifically, 89% of experts identified consistent exercise and a nutrient-dense diet as the most critical factors. High-quality sleep was also highlighted as a key element. Shanley Chien, senior health editor for U.S. News, noted that social isolation is an underappreciated factor that can accelerate biological aging, with nearly two-thirds of experts identifying it as such. The survey also touched upon the growing use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss, with experts advising resistance training and adequate protein intake to counteract mus...
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FDA Issues Warnings to Online Sellers for Illicit Weight Loss Peptides, Citing Public Health Risks

FDA Issues Warnings to Online Sellers for Illicit Weight Loss Peptides, Citing Public Health Risks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its crackdown on the illegal online trade of unapproved peptides, issuing warning letters to five U.S.-headquartered companies: Peak Performance Peptides, Royal Peptides, NuScience Peptides, Peptide Partners, and TXP Innovations LLC dba Tex Peptides. These companies are accused of violating FDA regulations by selling new peptide-based drugs that lack approval and regulation. The primary concern revolves around the sale of illicit weight loss products, including versions of Eli Lilly's retatrutide, which is not yet approved globally, and Novo Nordisk's semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy and Ozempic. Beyond weight loss drugs, these sellers also offer unapproved therapeutics for growth hormone release, muscle boosting, and libido enhancement. The FDA asserts that despite claims of these products being for 'laboratory research and development purposes only' and 'not for veterinary or human use,' evidence from the companies' websites indicates they are in...
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National Border Patrol Council Endorses Michael Whatley for US Senate, Citing Border Security Stance

National Border Patrol Council Endorses Michael Whatley for US Senate, Citing Border Security Stance

The non-partisan National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) has officially endorsed Michael Whatley for the U.S. Senate. NBPC President Paul Perez announced the endorsement during a series of events across North Carolina, emphasizing Whatley's commitment to securing the border. The NBPC criticized what it described as 'open border policies' supported by Roy Cooper, asserting that these policies have negatively impacted North Carolina families, particularly concerning illicit fentanyl. Congressman Addison McDowell joined Whatley and Perez at an event in Cabarrus County, while Beaufort County Sheriff Scott Hammonds was present at an event in Pitt County. These events also included 'Angel Families' and families affected by fentanyl-related deaths, highlighting the human cost associated with border security issues. Michael Whatley expressed honor in receiving the endorsement, reiterating his belief that a nation without secure borders ceases to be a nation and pledging to support border agents.
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Novartis' Remibrutinib Shows Promise in Phase 3 Trials for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Novartis' Remibrutinib Shows Promise in Phase 3 Trials for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Novartis' oral BTK inhibitor, remibrutinib, has demonstrated significant efficacy in two Phase 3 trials, REMODEL-1 and REMODEL-2, for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The trials showed that remibrutinib was substantially more effective than Novartis' previous oral MS therapy, Aubagio (teriflunomide), in reducing the annualised relapse rate (ARR), which was the primary endpoint. Additionally, remibrutinib met all key secondary endpoints, including a significant reduction in new MRI lesions and a clinically meaningful delay in disability progression. The safety profile observed in these trials was consistent with previous clinical studies of the drug. Remibrutinib is already approved in the U.S., EU, and Japan for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) under the brand name Rhapsido, and is being investigated for several other immune-mediated and neurological conditions, such as chronic inducible urticaria (CINDU), hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), food allergies, and generalized myasthenia grav...
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Dr. Richard J. Hatchett Advocates for Reimagined Vaccine Development and Pandemic Preparedness

Dr. Richard J. Hatchett Advocates for Reimagined Vaccine Development and Pandemic Preparedness

Dr. Richard J. Hatchett, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and recipient of the 2026 NFID Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award, emphasized the need to reimagine vaccine development and pandemic preparedness. In a discussion with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), Dr. Hatchett highlighted the '100 Days Mission,' an initiative aiming to compress vaccine development timelines to within 100 days of identifying a new pathogen. He stressed that epidemic and pandemic diseases are not 'black swans' but rather a product of the environment and world humans have created, viewing them as a fundamental security problem. Dr. Hatchett also underscored the critical importance of robust disease surveillance capabilities, noting that underinvestment in these areas can lead to delayed detection and larger outbreaks, as seen with the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He advocates for systemic institutional commitments and sustained p...
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Doctors Without Borders Calls for Inclusion of Children in Ebola Treatment Research

Doctors Without Borders Calls for Inclusion of Children in Ebola Treatment Research

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières - MSF) has issued a call for the urgent inclusion of children in research and development for Ebola treatment and prevention. Specifically, MSF advocates for timely access to pediatric formulations of oral post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in ongoing trials, including the oral antiviral pill obeldesivir manufactured by US-based Gilead Sciences. The current EBO-PEP study, which commenced on July 14, is evaluating obeldesivir for preventing infection after high-risk exposure to the Bundibugyo virus, a cause of Ebola disease. While a planned protocol amendment is expected to include children over 44 pounds, those under 44 pounds (approximately age 6 or younger) remain excluded due to the lack of an available pediatric formulation and insufficient data on tablet crushing or dissolution. Dr. Neal Russell, MSF pediatric advisor, emphasized that children are at a disproportionately high risk of dying if infected with Ebola in the current outbreak in the Democratic R...
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Health Experts Emphasize Foundational Habits for Healthy Aging Amidst Longevity Market Boom

Health Experts Emphasize Foundational Habits for Healthy Aging Amidst Longevity Market Boom

A new report from U.S. News and World Report, based on a survey of 53 health experts, highlights that despite a booming longevity market and interest in advanced biohacks, fundamental habits remain crucial for healthy aging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates Americans are living longer, but experts stress the importance of physical activity, a healthy diet, and quality sleep. Shanley Chien, senior editor of health at U.S. News and World Report, noted that these time-tested daily habits significantly impact longevity and quality of life. The survey also identified social isolation as a major, underappreciated accelerator of biological aging, linking it to physical health effects beyond mental health concerns. While 17% of experts predicted GLP-1 medications as the next major trend in healthy aging, 52% agreed on their cardiovascular benefits outweighing long-term risks, though 76% warned of accelerated muscle loss if users are not proactive with strength training and protein inta...
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Study Reveals Distinct Priorities in Federal and Industry-Funded Cancer Clinical Trials

Study Reveals Distinct Priorities in Federal and Industry-Funded Cancer Clinical Trials

A recent study has analyzed the differing priorities between federal government and pharmaceutical industry funding for cancer clinical trials in the United States. Researchers examined 9,569 industry-sponsored trials and 2,112 federally sponsored trials between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2024. The findings indicate that while both sources are crucial, they play distinct and complementary roles. Industry funding predominantly focuses on trials for single drugs (77.4% vs. 48.6% for federal) and is more common in Phase I (safety and dosing) and Phase III (regulatory approval) trials. Conversely, federal sponsors, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), are more likely to support research in areas that are less commercially viable. This includes trials for rare cancers (17.5% vs. 12.1% for industry), pediatric cancers (16.1% vs. 5.3%), treatment de-escalation (3.1% vs. 0.4%), and non-treatment interventions like prevention (4.7% vs. 1.1%) and supportive care (2.5% vs. 0.9%). Federal funding al...
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Global Study Reveals Rising Antimicrobial Resistance in Children, Threatening Life-Saving Antibiotics

Global Study Reveals Rising Antimicrobial Resistance in Children, Threatening Life-Saving Antibiotics

A new global study published in JAMA Pediatrics indicates a concerning rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among children worldwide. This increase threatens the effectiveness of crucial antibiotics used to treat severe infections like sepsis and pneumonia. The research, conducted by the University of Sydney in collaboration with institutions such as the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, analyzed over 106,000 pediatric bacterial isolates from 82 countries between 2004 and 2022. The findings show that while resistance to 'Access' antibiotics (first-line, narrow-spectrum drugs) declined in most inpatient settings, resistance to 'Watch' and 'Reserve' antibiotics (broader-spectrum drugs for more serious infections) significantly increased. Specifically, in intensive care units (ICUs), resistance to Watch antibiotics rose from 15% to 33%, and Reserve antibiotics from 9% to 32%. Children aged 0 to 2 years, those with sepsis, and respiratory infections exhibited the highest resistance to Watch and Reserve ...
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Health Experts Emphasize Foundational Habits for Healthy Aging Amidst Longevity Market Boom

Health Experts Emphasize Foundational Habits for Healthy Aging Amidst Longevity Market Boom

Health Experts Emphasize Foundational Habits for Healthy Aging Amidst Longevity Market Boom