RECENT NEWS

Earlier this year, scientists unveiled the first draft of the pangenome, based on full genetic blueprints from 47 people around the world to create a more diverse representation of the human genome. To more accurately account for this richer picture of human genomic variation, Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched the new Axiom PangenomiX Array, its largest and most ethnically diverse array to date, offering optimal genetic coverage for population scale disease studies and pharmacogenomic research.

Persistent regulatory ambiguity and NHS procurement processes mean the UK is at risk of missing out on the latest HealthTech innovations, the latest survey of the industry reveals.

Atom Scientific has announced a new distribution partnership with Falc Instruments for the UK, adding the Italian company’s laboratory equipment to its already extensive range.

Research into next-generation sequencing carried out at Brigham and Women’s Hospital suggests that revising current cancer care guidelines could allow approximately 6,000 more patients in the US to benefit from immunotherapy treatment each year.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has endorsed the use of digital pathology as an alternative option to light microscopy for the review of cancer screening histopathology slides.

Record industrial action this week could see one of the most difficult starts to the year for health services across the country, the NHS has said.

Aiforia has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with the Mayo Clinic in the United States to globally commercialise an AI model that improves prediction of colorectal cancer recurrence. The AI model - developed in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic - identifies important histological features of colorectal cancer and provides a recurrence prediction estimate useful for colorectal cancer treatment decisions.

Roche has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire select parts of the LumiraDx group, related to LumiraDx’s innovative point-of-care technology. Following closing of the transaction, which is expected by mid-2024, the acquired entities will be fully integrated into Roche Diagnostics.

More people than ever before are getting tested for cancer with almost three million checks over the last 12 months, new analysis shows.

Researchers have identified a previously unrecognised class of antibodies that appear capable of neutralising multiple forms of influenza virus. These findings, which could contribute to development of more broadly protective vaccines, were published 21 December by Holly Simmons of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, US, and colleagues in the open access journal PLOS Biology.

The International Academy of Cytology and the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting have announced the publication of a new dataset to assist reporting of Tumours of the Lung - Small Diagnostic and Cytopathlogical Specimens.

Tens of thousands of patients at risk of kidney disease will be able to get tested from the comfort of their own homes as part of a £30 million tech and AI innovation fund this winter. The Healthy.io early detection device will initially be sent to 30,000 patients who are considered most at risk for kidney disease.

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), the premier global molecular diagnostic professional society, has published a report that explores specific considerations for a slice testing strategy for diagnostics, including gene selection, analytic performance, coverage, quality, and interpretation.

Owkin, a French-American biotechnology company that applies artificial intelligence (AI) to drug discovery, development, and diagnostics, has entered into a collaboration agreement with MSD (the tradename of Merck & Co) to develop and commercialise AI-powered digital pathology diagnostics for the EU market.

Metrion Biosciences, the specialist ion channel CRO and drug discovery company, has announced that it has secured £3.5m in new equity financing. The new investment will be used to further expand Metrion’s laboratories in Cambridge, UK, invest in specialist equipment and enhance the company’s global marketing activities.

The NHS is expanding home testing for bowel cancer as it aims to detect the disease earlier. Hundreds of thousands more people will be sent a home-testing kit as the lifesaving screening programme is now being made available to individuals aged 54 in England.

CardioRenal and Grenoble Alpes University Hospital have unveiled a major innovation that allows chronically ill patients to measure their blood potassium levels autonomously and accurately. The TENOR device enables patients to measure their blood potassium levels at home, similar to how diabetic patients have conducted blood sugar self-tests for many years.

New links between human activity and its impact on the emergence of viruses within parasites in the rainforests of Peru and Bolivia have been discovered, according to a paper authored by researchers from the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp and the Rega Institute for Medical Research (KU Leuven) who are investigating the spread of tropical diseases.

Two Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland have gone live with Clinisys WinPath, at the start of a series of deployments from the Core LIMS project. This project, which is being led by the Business Services Organisation (BSO), will see every pathology service in Northern Ireland adopt the laboratory information system to support the modernisation of services.

AstraZeneca has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Icosavax, a US-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing differentiated, high-potential vaccines. It will give AstraZenica rights to a vaccine candidate targeting both respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV), which is currently on its way into Phase III testing.