CORONAVIRUS NEWS

African biopharmaceutical company Minapharm Group is to receive up to US$16.5 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to advance the development of a Bundibugyo Ebola virus vaccine candidate, strengthening efforts to develop vaccines to combat the fastest-growing and second-largest Ebola outbreak on record affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) has welcomed the rollout of HPV self-testing in England as an important step towards increasing participation in cervical screening and reducing inequalities in access.

Roche’s Elecsys Phospho-Tau (217P) Plasma (pTau217) blood test has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), providing a single blood-based option to aid in identifying amyloid pathology associated with Alzheimer’s disease in individuals 55 years and older with signs, symptoms, or complaints of cognitive decline.

A new study suggests that signals associated with gastric (stomach) and colorectal cancer could be detected in the make-up of oral microbiomes. These findings could lead to the development of new, less-invasive screening tests for gastrointestinal cancers.

The MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) will play a key role in new studies to assess whether vaccines already or previously licensed against Zaire Ebola virus could offer protection against Bundibugyo Ebola virus, the virus behind the rapidly escalating outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A review led by University College London (UCL) and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) researchers examines the possibility that blood transfusions may inadvertently transmit harmful brain proteins.

Stratipath, a leader in AI-based precision diagnostics for breast cancer, and pathology AI firm Aiforia, have announced a strategic partnership to provide pathologists and oncologists with broader access to validated AI-powered diagnostic and prognostic tools

Birmingham-based early cancer testing company Nonacus has invested in two West Midlands-based trials of an at-home urine test to prove its effectiveness in detecting bladder cancer, which affects more than 100,000 people in the UK.

A new study using menstrual tracking data finds women receiving a COVID-19 vaccination during the follicular phase were more likely to self-report side effects and had a longer time to subsequent infection than those vaccinated during the luteal phase.

New research has shown that more people could benefit from a new type of blood test that can predict the return of breast cancer, months before it’s picked up on a scan.

Registration is now open for the British Association for Cytopathology’s (BAC) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting and Annual General Meeting, taking place in Newcastle on 13 November.

Lab Innovations, the UK’s largest gathering for laboratory professionals, will bring together thousands of scientists, lab managers, R&D professionals and quality specialists from across the scientific community once again as it returns to the NEC, Birmingham on 4-5 November, 2026.

Researchers have developed a novel AI model that can analyse a routine whole histopathology image and simultaneously predict cancer subtype, specific genetic mutations, and survival outcomes across 32 different solid cancers rather than focusing on a single cancer type.

Researchers have applied a water freeze-drying (WFD) method to bacteria, enabling high-resolution SEM observation with a general-purpose laboratory freeze-dryer.

Scientists have discovered two new mechanisms for how a well-established antibiotic works, paving the way for potential development of new antibiotic treatment.

The world-first trial of a fridge-free tetanus-diphtheria vaccine has produced encouraging results that could improve access worldwide to crucial treatments, while reducing carbon emissions.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published new data which show around 50% fewer infants under six months being admitted to intensive care with RSV disease in England.

New research at Aston University has shown that a variety of compounds is responsible for the antimicrobial action of mānuka honey, not just the sugar content and methylglyoxal (MGO) alone, as previously thought.

Over 100,000 people in England have accessed potentially life-saving treatment for hepatitis C in the last 10 years as part of a groundbreaking NHS programme, new figures show.

The landmark Greenheys development at Manchester Science Park has been completed, offering 131,000 square foot of specialist laboratory and write-up space for the next generation of life sciences and tech innovation businesses.