The gravitational pull is unmistakable. The Westin St. Francis remains the symbolic center of power, where scale dominates the conversation and capital moves in large increments. However, innovation, from the concept of a molecule or engineering marvel, rarely begins at scale. It starts with a question, a patient-care frustration, a molecular insight and a small group of people willing to compress years of work into minutes of explanation.

That is why the Biotech Showcase matters. It’s why it continues to thrive just off the main stage. Like off-Broadway, this is where blockbusters are discovered.

Seven Minutes to Be Understood

I spent part of the day sitting in one room at the Biotech Showcase, listening to a succession of rapid-fire presentations, each lasting seven minutes per company. The room was only half full, but it was intensely attentive. This was not casual listening. This was evaluative listening.

Companies including OrisDx, IowaiBIO Inc., Endure Biotherapeutics, SIvEC Biotechnologies, Frezent, Sideral Therapeutics, Courative Inc., and others each delivered a tightly constructed narrative of carefully curated slides: the unmet clinical need, the scientific or molecular approach, progress to date and the precise inflection point ahead. Most importantly, resources needed for the next stage of development.

What made these presentations compelling was not polish, it was clarity. There was no time to hide behind jargon or aspiration. Seven minutes forces discipline. It reveals whether a team truly understands its own story. For investors or biopharma partners in the room, it quickly answers the most important question: Is this something I want to continue discussing?

That is the essence of a productive dating game. Not every conversation leads to a match, but the right ones unmistakably spark an attraction.

Why This Room Exists at All

The Biotech Showcase works because it understands timing and intent. Seed and early-stage companies do not come to San Francisco in January to compete with global pharmaceutical announcements. They come because the people who can change their trajectory are already in the city and already thinking about what comes next.

J.P. Morgan Healthcare Week is where the industry takes stock of itself. Large companies outline business plan priorities. Investors recalibrate portfolios. Strategies are stress-tested. In that context, the Biotech Showcase becomes a natural counterbalance: a place where emerging science is introduced not as speculation, but as possibility.

There is also quiet wisdom in the Showcase’s decision to record and share presentations after the event. In a week where schedules overlap and choices are constant, the ability to revisit a story matters. Conversations that begin in a room can continue weeks later, grounded in something concrete and lasting. That continuity is how relationships form—and how trust accumulates.

The City Becomes the Platform

What is easy to overlook from the outside is how completely San Francisco itself becomes part of the infrastructure during this week. Beyond the formal stages, firms across the ecosystem host companies in nearby venues, creating dozens of smaller hubs within walking distance of one another.

At places like the Marines’ Memorial Club, companies are hosted quietly and efficiently, often fifteen or so at a time, by firms such as FINN Partners, alongside others working behind the scenes to support emerging science during the week. During the course of J.P. Morgan Week, these companies may hold more than 200 conversations with analysts, investors, and media representatives. No banners. No spectacle. Just focused, purposeful, personalized dialogue.

This distributed model works because it mirrors how decisions are actually made, not in a single dramatic moment, but through repeated, informed exchanges that foster knowledge and confidence.

When the day winds down, the city shifts again. Evenings during J.P. Morgan Week are reserved for receptions hosted by banks, global companies, industry groups, and even trade commissions from countries such as the UK, including the UK Bioindustry Association. These gatherings are not afterthoughts. They are where formality loosens, where introductions give way to relationships, and where ideas heard earlier in the day are tested in conversation. Science meets context. Strategy meets personality.

When AI Enters the Dating Pool

One of the most notable developments this year is the growing presence of AI companies entering this ecosystem alongside emerging biotech companies—firms such as Briya.Health demonstrates how AI is no longer merely orbiting the life sciences; it is now deeply embedded within them.

Early-stage biotech is data-rich and time-poor. They generate complex, unstructured information long before scale or certainty arrives. AI platforms that can surface insight, reduce friction, and accelerate decision-making change the nature of early collaboration.

When AI innovators and biotech founders encounter one another during this week—often in the same rooms, at the same receptions, and in the same corridors—the conversation accelerates. What might have taken months of coordination elsewhere can happen organically here. That is not a coincidence. It is designed.

Why This Week Still Matters

Events like the Biotech Showcase, alongside complementary forums such as 1BusinessWorld’s Global BioInnovation Forum, emerge because they recognize how innovation actually drives progress. They realize that timing matters: place matters and proximity matters.

These gatherings do not compete with J.P. Morgan Healthcare Week; they complete it. Together, they create a comprehensive view of the health innovation lifecycle, from initial insight to global execution.

What I witnessed in that half-filled room was not hype. It was intent. Seven minutes at a time, company after company made a case—not just for funding, but for belief.

That is why the Biotech Showcase remains exactly what its name promises: a showcase of possibilities. And why, in the great dating game of health innovation, does it remain one of the most honest and productive places to begin?

The post The Best Dating Game in Health Innovation Happens Just Off the Main Stage appeared first on Medika Life.

Rare disease treatment is characterized by its numerous challenges, stemming from an overall lack of awareness across the healthcare landscape. This issue becomes a waterfall, trickling down and affecting crucial nodes of the healthcare value chain, such as regulations, existing healthcare infrastructure, and affordability, before it can even potentially reach patients. Hence, the cooperation of the public and private sectors with a firm basis in knowledge sharing and education is required to alleviate these multifaceted challenges brought from a lack of awareness.

The Root of Awareness  

Rare diseases are defined by their generally low population impact, with many markets agreeing to a ratioed figure, such as one patient per every 2,000 in a population. The rarity of such diseases results in a lack of awareness among both the general public and the healthcare practitioner community. This awareness gap translates into a significant challenge in patients receiving an accurate diagnosis. Combined with the relatively few specialized medical personnel for such diseases, this can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed referrals, resulting in an average time to receive a final diagnosis of up to 5 years. By this time, some rare diseases can cause significant distress, such as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), which can cause vision loss in a matter of months if left untreated.

Patients face a journey of medical uncertainty, fiscal difficulties, and personal challenges. These issues are often exacerbated by healthcare systems that struggle to accurately and promptly diagnose such rare conditions.

Point-to-Point Hurdles in Medication Access

Across markets, the rare disease medication issue also has to contend with more tangible and operational concerns stemming from the lack of awareness. From a regulatory standpoint, the lack of rare disease understanding can lead to regulations being under equipped to address medication access. This is doubly so for more challenging regulatory landscapes, such as across APAC’s complex and fragmented market environment, where general healthcare accessibility can already prove to be a hurdle due to a combination of socioeconomic and geopolitical factors. This can lead rare diseases and their medications to be an underserved area, while more widely common health concerns are prioritized.

A key driver of healthcare access is the underlying infrastructure powering the supply chain, ensuring the distribution of medication to patients. Similar to regulations, supply chain systems can vary vastly in complexity, particularly when across challenging geography and when specialised logistics, such as cold chain solutions, are needed to handle sensitive medication. These can culminate in much-needed investment into supply chain infrastructure. For example, in APAC markets, such as Thailand, DKSH has established a network of satellite distribution centers that can provide last-mile delivery of sensitive medications to underserved areas in a short period of time.

Regulatory complexities and supply chain infrastructure aside, the barrier to rare disease medication accessibility most often felt by patients is the affordability of treatments. The high cost of rare disease treatment options is critical, with some reaching over a million dollars for annual or one-time treatment. The issue of cost is more amplified in regions like APAC, where many markets have less robust public health insurance or social support systems, placing a financial strain on patients, even when access is just within reach.

This collection of barriers to accessing rare disease medications can be daunting from the outset. As a challenge of global concern, addressing it requires a unified approach that combines in-market and industry expertise, all in service of bringing medication to underserved patients.

The Power of Collaboration

The unique challenges of rare diseases are too great for any single entity to tackle alone. Bridging this gap through collaboration is paving the way forward, with public-private partnerships (PPPs) emerging as a core means for success. These partnerships bring together government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and patient advocacy groups to share expertise, resources, and risk. For instance, in the APAC region, initiatives like the APEC Action Plan on Rare Diseases have provided a framework for member economies to accelerate efforts in this area, including the promotion of multisectoral collaborations. Regional alliances, such as the Asia Pacific Alliance for Rare Disease Organizations (APARDO), have done valuable work in collaborating with advocacy groups to raise awareness about these conditions. On an organizational level, there are also healthcare partners, such as DKSH, who work with firms, such as Kyowa Kirin, to bring rare disease medications to markets by utilizing in-market and regulatory expertise. Moreover, DKSH’s local teams have strong market knowledge, enabling them to offer clients and customers expert advice on local regulation.

This collaborative approach is crucial for streamlining the regulatory process for rare disease medications, also known as orphan drugs. Governments, including many in Asia, have introduced specific regulations and incentives to encourage the development of rare disease medication. These include Orphan Drug Designations (ODD) that provide much-needed support, such as tax credits for clinical research. Beyond these incentives, regulatory bodies are considering a greater reliance on evidence from expanded access programs. This allows for the use of data from a smaller patient pool, which is often the only available source of information for such rare conditions, thereby accelerating the review and approval process.

From a patient perspective, financial aid is of vital importance and an area where collaboration is key. The high cost of treatments for rare diseases necessitates innovative funding models beyond traditional public insurance. One effective model gaining traction in APAC is the establishment of dedicated funds, supported by a combination of public and private contributions. Singapore’s Rare Disease Fund (RDF) is a prime example, where community donations are matched by the government at a significant ratio. This model provides long-term financial support for patients, while encouraging a sense of shared responsibility across society. Similarly, patient access schemes and managed access programs are being implemented to ensure affordability and controlled access to therapies before full reimbursement is in place. These schemes can be tailored to individual patient needs and help bridge the gap between regulatory approval and widespread access.

Ultimately, the future of rare disease medication accessibility rests on a unified, multi-stakeholder ecosystem. By building on collaborative frameworks, optimizing regulatory pathways, and pioneering innovative funding mechanisms, the healthcare landscape can be transformed. Beyond raising awareness, there is an opportunity to create a robust, equitable, and sustainable system that ensures no patient is left behind, regardless of the rarity of their condition.

The post Treating Rare Diseases: The Challenge of Access appeared first on Medika Life.

What Makes Stem Cells So Special?

Stem cells can become any cell type in your body, similar to blank pages in a book. Specific cells in your body have predetermined functions, such as muscle cells for movement or brain cells for thinking, but stem cells work differently. These stem cells stay undecided about their future roles. Their two unique abilities come from their capacity to reproduce endlessly and to transform into specialized cells when the body needs repairs. Whoever thought we would have a little medical mechanic industry waiting for us to give it the word?

The cells possess two distinct capabilities: they reproduce infinitely to generate additional stem cells, and they evolve into specific cells when the body requires maintenance. It seems the reservoir is never tapped out, as they are always replenished. Stem cells transform into skin cells when skin injuries occur. Stem cells may develop into heart muscle cells when the heart experiences damage. Almost miraculously, these cells can learn just about any function instantly.

I recall a biology professor explaining that implanting eye stem cells in someone’s abdomen would result in the development of a non-functioning eye. That sounds like something from a science fiction movie. But it might be possible.

Your Body’s Hidden Stem Cell Factories

Stem cells exist throughout the entire body as your internal repair team, which operates unnoticed. Bone marrow represents the most well-known stem cell habitat because it exists as a soft, jelly-like tissue inside bones. Blood stem cells reside in bone marrow to produce red blood cells for oxygen transport and white blood cells for infection defense, while making platelets for bleeding control.

But that’s just the beginning. The brain contains stem cells that have the potential to generate new brain cells. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are indeed found in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for learning and memory. If they’re there, why can’t we use them? That’s one of the secrets that is still to be unlocked.

The skin contains stem cells, which serve two purposes: they repair injuries and maintain skin health. Each of the muscles, as well as the liver, fat tissue, and heart, possesses its individual stem cell populations.

The discovery of new stem cell sources continues to amaze scientists. Stem cells in newborn umbilical cord blood demonstrate powerful therapeutic potential against 80 different diseases. And the stem cells found in baby teeth have gained scientific interest due to their potential future medical applications.

From Lab Bench to Bedside: Real Treatments Today

Here’s where things get really exciting. Stem cell treatments have moved beyond science fiction because they currently save the lives of patients. Blood stem cell therapies show the greatest success in treating leukemia and lymphoma patients among other cancer types. Doctors perform stem cell transplants after chemotherapy destroys a patient’s blood system to establish a new system from scratch.

The FDA approved the first gene-edited stem cell treatment, Casgevy, in 2024, marking a significant achievement in medical history. This treatment process begins with blood stem cell collection from patients, followed by genetic correction through CRISPR technology and final cell reinsertion to treat sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, which have long caused suffering to thousands of patients.

Ryoncil marked a significant achievement when it became the initial stem cell treatment approved for children suffering from graft-versus-host disease. Transplanted cells sometimes attack patients’ bodies during graft-versus-host disease, but these unique stem cells function as a solution to reduce dangerous immune reactions.

Research on eye diseases represents one of the most promising areas of stem cell advancement. Scientists have discovered a method to develop light-sensitive cells from stem cells located at the back of the eye. Early clinical studies demonstrate that lab-grown cells can provide vision improvements to patients with age-related macular degeneration, which ranks as a primary cause of blindness.

The trial participant who joined the study experienced such a remarkable improvement in vision that he shifted from hand movement recognition to reading letters on an eye chart. The preliminary stage of these medical trials demonstrates potential to treat vision impairment for millions of affected people.

Healing Hearts and Fixing Brains

Stem cell research reaches its peak when scientists use these cells to treat the heart and brain, which are our two essential organs. Scientists continue their research to utilize stem cells for repairing damaged heart muscle tissue following heart attack events. Researchers in Japan currently perform stem cell-derived heart muscle cell injections into heart patients, which have produced promising initial outcomes.

Scientists also investigate stem cell-derived dopamine-producing cells for brain replacement therapy to treat Parkinson’s disease and other brain disorders where dopamine-producing cells gradually die out. The clinical trials conducted worldwide have proven safety standards for this procedure, while multiple patients report significant symptom relief from their conditions. If dopamine-producing cells can work with PD, how about mental disorders?

New exploratory investigations into potential applications of stem cells to treat ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), as well as spinal cord injuries and Alzheimer’s disease, have begun. Researchers continue to expand their studies because of promising early results from these experimental treatments,but the work must go on diligently, uninterrupted, due to a lack of research funding.

Growing Organs in the Lab

The most advanced stem cell research involves creating mini-organs through laboratory cultivation. Scientists currently conduct research on “organoids,” which are not a figment of science fiction. At the Mayo Clinic, alongside other institutions, researchers develop miniature versions of intestines, hearts, kidneys, and brain tissues from stem cells.

The miniature organs enable scientists to improve disease comprehension and facilitate secure drug testing. They can then utilize these laboratory-grown organs for preliminary drug assessments before moving forward to human trials. This method will significantly accelerate and enhance the safety of the new treatment development process.

The Numbers Tell an Incredible Story

Stem cell research has expanded at an incredible rate during recent years. The worldwide clinical trial number for stem cell products has reached 83, while researchers approved 115 trials during 2024. More than 1,200 patients have received experimental stem cell treatments, and researchers have administered over 100 billion stem cells during clinical trials without any major safety issues.

The stem cell therapy market projection indicates it will expand from $14 billion in 2023 to reach $49 billion by 2033. This monetary growth signifies the promise of new medical options for millions of patients who remain without effective treatment options for their diseases.

What This Means for You and Your Family

Most stem cell treatments remain experimental, but researchers continue to advance at an extraordinary rate. Clinical trials, together with new breakthroughs and patient hopefulness, increase every month. Medical researchers investigate stem cell applications for diabetes treatment, arthritis management, heart disease prevention, stroke treatment, spinal cord injury therapy, multiple sclerosis therapy, and various cancer types.

When pursuing stem cell treatment, choose established medical centers that offer FDA-approved procedures or participate in authorized clinical trials. Be cautious of medical clinics that advertise untested treatment methods as miracle solutions.

I have personally seen a friend’s family member be first drawn to Canada, then to Mexico, and finally to the Caribbean to seek treatment for his terminal cancer. The family spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, and he died.

The most beneficial aspect of stem cell research extends beyond disease treatment, as it reveals body healing processes and develops methods to enhance these natural recovery mechanisms. We are now looking at a new area of medicine, regenerative medicine. Scientists have discovered that stem cells serve a dual function by replacing damaged cells and releasing substances that promote the healing of other cells and minimize inflammation.

A Future Full of Hope

The present decade marks a remarkable period for stem cell research studies. Through improved understanding and advanced techniques, alongside gene editing technology, scientists can now achieve opportunities that were thought to be unattainable in the previous few years.

Researchers predict that stem cell treatments will become available for stroke recovery, spinal cord repair, organ transplant, and anti-aging purposes in the near future. Progress toward these advancements continues with each successful trial and new discovery, although we have not yet achieved this stage.

But the future is bright! The most inspiring element in this story lies in the fact that our bodies supply the answer to our medical challenges. Stem cell treatments consist of human body cells that scientists enhance and direct for therapeutic purposes. Medical efforts don’t battle against natural processes because we are learning to make better use of them. Each time I hear of an advance, it brings new enthusiasm for research, and the key is to keep funding this research because there is more to find.

Stem cells represent a unique prospect for future medical science to allow our body’s natural wisdom and healing capabilities to work alongside medical advancements to enhance human longevity and well-being. This discovery goes beyond good science because it represents authentic hope.

The post The Body’s Amazing Repair Crew: Stem Cells appeared first on Medika Life.

I have about seven weeks to the competition.

This approach is my battle plan, not a quick fix.

Here are my five tips for getting rid of belly fat.

1. I Am Reducing Calories in a Smart Way

We’ve all heard the “eat less, move more” mantra, but it’s not about punishing yourself.

Generally, weight loss should lead to a drop in abdominal fat.

I target my entire body and health, not my belly in isolation.

I think of my body as an engine needing the right fuel to run efficiently.

Instead of drastic cuts, I focus on swapping out the junk for the good stuff.

The cutting phase is when I try to pile my plate with brightly colored, lean protein like chicken and fish and healthy fats from avocados and nuts.

This approach keeps me full and satisfied, which is key.

As the American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou observed,

“Nothing will work unless you do.”

And smartly doing it is even better.

2. Protein: My Belly Fat’s Kryptonite

Protein is my not-so-secret weapon.

It boosts those “full” hormones, keeping me away from the snack drawer. Less snacking means less belly fat.

I admit it’s not that simple.

I imagine protein as my body’s construction crew.

It repairs and builds muscle, which burns more calories.

As bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger opined,

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”

Protein helps me build that strength and, in turn, helps me shed belly fat.

3. Fruits and Vegetables: Nature’s Candy & Cleansers

Then, there is the nutrient-dense nature and fiber content of fruits and vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables keep my gut happy while filling me with fewer calories.

I think of fruits and vegetables as nature’s multivitamins.

My apologies, but I can’t resist loading today’s piece with quotes, so here is another one (from Hippocrates):

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

4. Move Your Body, Change Your Body.

Small changes — like taking the stairs or parking further away — add up.

Exercise Snacks: 7 Tiny Workouts for Big Results

medium.com

However, I aim for a weekly minimum of 300 minutes of moderate activity for serious fat loss.

That’s double the standard recommendation, but I aim for a competition-ready physique.

I also incorporate HIIT (high-intensity interval training) — short bursts of intense activity — to burn calories.

HIIT and Fitness: The Verdict is In

DO SHORTER VERSIONS of high-intensity interval training improve health? Researchers have recently analyzed short…

medium.com

Think of exercise as your daily dose of energy and confidence.

You guessed it: I am going to offer another quote, this one from Muhammad Ali:

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’”

5. Strength Training: Build Muscle and Burn Fat

Lifting weights isn’t just for building muscle; it helps shrink belly fat too.

Combining aerobic and strength training leads to the biggest reduction in visceral fat for me.

Think of strength training as building your fat-burning furnace.

Yes, I offer another quote!

Henry Ford:

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.”

So think of strength training as a way to say “I can” to a leaner, healthier you.

Bonus Tips for Maximum Impact

Finally, here are some additional things I do to get my abs ripped:

• Limit sugary drinks: Water is my best friend. I ditch the sugary sodas and juices.
• Get sugar from whole foods: An apple is better than apple juice. Fiber is my friend.
• I avoid ultra-processed foods, including crackers, chips, and frozen dinners, which contain unhealthy fats, sugar, and sodium.
• Add in healthy fats: Nuts and avocados reduce inflammation.
• Eat more probiotic-rich foods: Yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut improve gut health.
• Limit stress: Cortisol is a belly fat magnet. Yoga and meditation may help.
• Focus on sleep: I aim for 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep.

Consistency is key.

These tips aren’t magic bullets but are a solid plan for reaching my fitness goals.

The post 5 Tips For Getting Rid of Belly Fat appeared first on Medika Life.

GLP-1 agonists have also shown promise in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as stroke and heart attack. This adds to their potential benefits in managing obesity and its related health complications.

Clinical Trial of Semaglutide and Bimagrumab

One promising avenue of research involves combining existing GLP-1 receptor agonists with experimental drugs designed to preserve muscle mass. A clinical trial, known as the BELIEVE Phase 2b study, is currently underway to test the combination of semaglutide and bimagrumab. Bimagrumab is a first-in-class, fully humanized monoclonal antibody developed by Versanis Bio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company recently acquired by Eli Lilly. It targets activin type II receptors, which play a role in regulating muscle growth and fat storage. This trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of bimagrumab in preserving or increasing muscle mass while promoting weight loss with semaglutide in non-diabetic patients with overweight or obesity.

To be eligible for the BELIEVE study, participants must have a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30, or greater than or equal to 27 with one or more obesity-related comorbidities. Key exclusion criteria include a history of hypersensitivity to monoclonal antibody drugs, treatment with any medication for obesity within 30 days before screening, and a diagnosis of diabetes requiring current use of any antidiabetic drug.

Pre-clinical studies have shown that blocking activin type II receptors with bimagrumab leads to increased lean mass and decreased fat mass in mice. In a Phase 2 study, bimagrumab produced a 22% reduction in fat mass and a 4.5% increase in lean mass in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Notably, no weight regain was observed after stopping bimagrumab treatment, unlike the rebound effect often seen with GLP-1 therapies. This suggests that bimagrumab may offer long-term benefits in maintaining weight loss even after treatment cessation.

The ongoing clinical trial will provide valuable insights into the potential of combining semaglutide and bimagrumab to achieve superior fat loss while preserving muscle mass. This combination therapy could offer a more comprehensive weight management approach, addressing fat loss and muscle preservation.

Semaglutide and Bimagrumab: Mechanisms of Action

Semaglutide and bimagrumab work through distinct mechanisms to achieve their therapeutic effects. Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, mimics the action of GLP-1, a natural gut hormone crucial in regulating blood sugar and appetite. GLP-1 agonists work by

• Triggering insulin release from the pancreas
• Blocking glucagon secretion
• Slowing stomach emptying
• Increasing feelings of fullness

Semaglutide helps lower blood sugar levels, reduce appetite, and promote weight loss by mimicking these effects.

Bimagrumab, on the other hand, is a human monoclonal antibody directed against type II activin receptors (ActRII). Upon administration, bimagrumab binds to ActRII, which prevents binding the natural ligands, myostatin and activin, to activin receptors and blocks ActRII-mediated signalling. This increases protein synthesis, decreases protein degradation, stimulates skeletal muscle cell growth, and increases muscle function and strength10. Overstimulation of the ActRII-mediated signalling pathway is associated with muscle loss and weakness.

Other Anti-Obesity Drugs in Development

The success of semaglutide and tirzepatide has fueled a surge in the development of new anti-obesity drugs. These drugs target various biological pathways and aim to improve upon the limitations of existing therapies. Targeting multiple pathways simultaneously could allow for lower doses that achieve the same weight loss with fewer side effects. Some of the key areas of development include:

GLP-1 and GIP Receptor Agonists

Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist that has shown superior weight loss results compared to semaglutide in a large head-to-head trial by Eli Lilly. Participants who took tirzepatide lost an average of 20% of their body weight, outpacing the 14% reduction achieved with semaglutide. Tirzepatide is already available under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound.

There are two main strategies for modulating GIP activity: activation and blocking. While both approaches can lead to weight loss, they have different potential benefits and drawbacks. As seen with tirzepatide, GIP activation can further enhance energy metabolism and promote weight loss. However, some concerns blocking GIP signalling could adversely affect bone health, as GIP also plays a role in bone metabolism.

Amylin Analogues

Amylin is a hormone co-secreted with insulin that regulates blood sugar and appetite. CagriSema, a combination therapy developed by Novo Nordisk that pairs a long-acting analogue of amylin (cagrilintide) with semaglutide, has shown promising results in clinical trials. Participants in a 68-week, phase 3 trial lost an average of nearly 23% of their body weight.

Glucagon and GLP-1 Receptor Co-agonists

Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels, while GLP-1 lowers them. Combining these two hormones in a single drug could offer a balanced approach to weight loss by increasing energy expenditure while maintaining blood sugar control. Survodutide, a glucagon and GLP-1 receptor co-agonist developed by Boehringer Ingelheim, is currently in clinical trials.

Triple-Hormone Receptor Agonists

Retatrutide, a triple-hormone receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly that targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, has shown impressive weight loss results in Phase 2 trials. This drug, dubbed “triple G,” delivered an average weight reduction of 24% after 48 weeks, setting a new benchmark for obesity treatments.

Alternative Delivery Methods for Anti-Obesity Drugs

Companies are also exploring alternative delivery methods to once-weekly injections, which can be challenging to incorporate into people’s routines and come with manufacturing challenges. Once-monthly injectables are in the works, but oral formulations of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as orforglipron produced by Eli Lilly, could arrive first.

Another potential alternative is oral semaglutide. In a phase 3 study called OASIS 1, people taking oral semaglutide 50 mg once daily lost up to 15% of their initial body weight after about 15 months (68 weeks) of use. This is comparable to the weight loss benefits of Wegovy, the injectable version of semaglutide.

Potential Side Effects of Anti-Obesity Drugs

While anti-obesity drugs offer a promising approach to weight management, they can also cause side effects. Some of the common side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. More serious side effects, such as pancreatitis and gallbladder problems, are rare but can occur.

Specific side effects associated with semaglutide include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, constipation, heartburn, and burping. In rare cases, semaglutide can cause more serious side effects such as pancreatitis, kidney problems, and changes in vision.

Tirzepatide can cause similar side effects, including nausea, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain. Serious side effects, such as pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and low blood sugar, can also occur.

Another concern with GLP-1 and GIP drugs is the potential risk of pulmonary aspiration during anaesthesia. These drugs can cause delayed gastric emptying, which may increase the risk of residual gastric contents despite preoperative fasting. This can lead to aspiration, where food or liquid gets into the lungs during surgery.

The increased demand for GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists has led to temporary product shortages. This has resulted in the emergence of compounded formulations of these drugs, which produce entities that bypass regulatory measures. The American Diabetes Association recommends against using non-FDA-approved compounded GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist products due to concerns regarding their safety, quality, and effectiveness. The FDA has also issued an alert on dosing errors associated with compounded semaglutide injectable products, which have led to adverse events and hospitalisations in some cases.

It is important to note that the potential side effects of anti-obesity drugs vary depending on the specific medication and individual factors. Patients should discuss these medications’ possible risks and benefits with their healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment option.

Alternative Treatments for Obesity: Bariatric Surgery

For some individuals, bariatric surgery may be an alternative treatment option for obesity. Bariatric surgery involves making changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight. It is typically considered for people with a BMI of 40 or higher or those with a BMI of 35 or higher who have obesity-related health problems.

There are several types of bariatric surgery, including

• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: This procedure involves creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine, bypassing most of the stomach and the first section of the small intestine
• Sleeve gastrectomy: This procedure involves removing about 80% of the stomach, leaving a long, tube-like pouch
• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS): This is a two-part surgery that involves performing a sleeve gastrectomy and then connecting the end of the small intestine to the duodenum, bypassing most of the small intestine

Bariatric surgery can be very effective for long-term weight loss and can also improve or reverse obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and sleep apnoea. However, it is a major surgical procedure with potential risks and complications, such as bleeding, infection, and leaks in the gastrointestinal system. Patients should carefully consider the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery with their healthcare provider.

Emerging Applications of GLP-1 and GIP Drugs

While GLP-1 and GIP drugs are primarily known for their role in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, research is exploring their potential applications in other disease areas. These include:

• Neurodegenerative diseases: Conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease involve protein misfolding and chronic inflammation. Studies have found that GLP-1 mimetics can cross the blood-brain barrier and have neuroprotective effects, including reducing oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory responses in the brain.
• Liver disease: GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists have shown potential in improving liver health, particularly in individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

These emerging applications highlight the versatility of GLP-1 and GIP drugs and their potential to address a wide range of health challenges beyond obesity and diabetes.

Conclusion

The field of anti-obesity drug development is rapidly evolving, with new therapies emerging that offer the potential for more effective and personalised weight management. While GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide have revolutionised the field, ongoing research is exploring new targets and combination therapies to address the limitations of existing medications. These advancements, such as the combination of semaglutide and bimagrumab, the development of triple-hormone receptor agonists like retratrutide, and the exploration of alternative delivery methods, hold promise for improving the lives of millions of people struggling with obesity and its related health complications.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential side effects of these therapies, including gastrointestinal issues, pancreatitis, and the risk of pulmonary aspiration during anaesthesia. Patients should carefully consider the risks and benefits of these medications with their healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment option.

Developing new anti-obesity drugs has significant implications for public health and the future of obesity management. These advancements offer hope for a more comprehensive and personalised approach to weight loss, potentially reducing the burden of obesity and its associated health problems.

The post The Evolving Landscape of Anti-Obesity Drugs appeared first on Medika Life.

The Marfan Foundation is the world’s most extensive patient and professional community addressing the needs of people living with genetic aortic and vascular conditions, serving one million people with educational materials and reaching 3.2 million people in the digital space annually.

The Marfan Foundation will play a crucial role in informing individuals living with Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, and related conditions about the resources and community dialogue offered by StuffThatWorks. This collaboration will enable StuffThatWorks to develop a comprehensive strategy for engaging non-profits with the goal of ultimately benefiting the global patient community.

“We’re honored to have been selected as the first non-profit to align with StuffThatWorks to elevate community members’ voices, foster additional personal empowerment, and advance access to potential learnings that may be derived through global self-reporting,” said Michael L. Weamer, CEO of The Marfan Foundation.

StuffThatWorks’ operational value is that patients’ crowdsourcing information can highlight issues that need to be addressed from the patient perspective as well as spotlight various treatment options, side effects, and obstacles to care: “Understanding how patients experience various treatments is one of them,” according to their website. “The Marfan Foundation has a steadfast commitment to scientific rigor and fostering a strong global community. Operationally, the Foundation leverages world-class experts to focus on research and best practices in patient engagement and empowerment,” says Yael Elish, CEO of StuffThatWorks. “The Foundation’s investment in basic and applied research and translating these understandings into patient support and education reinforces that real-world data is valued in applications with the potential to advance treatments and quality of life.”

“We’re enthused to share what we know about specific non-profit needs and goals while we learn more about the possibilities StuffThatWorks’ patient-centric knowledge-base will offer,” said Weamer.

About 1 in 5000 people have Marfan syndrome, including men and women of all races and ethnic groups. Roughly 3 out of 4 people with Marfan syndrome inherit it. There is a 50 percent chance that a person with Marfan syndrome will pass along the condition each time they have a child. Because connective tissue is impacted and found throughout the body, Marfan syndrome can affect many body parts. Features of the condition are most often found in the heart, blood vessels, bones, joints, and eyes. Some Marfan features – for example, aortic enlargement (expansion of the main blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body) – can be life-threatening. People living with Marfan syndrome and related conditions have a 250 times greater risk of aortic dissection than the general public. The lungs, skin, and nervous system may also be affected.

About StuffThatWorks

Created by Waze founding team members, StuffThatWorks uses crowdsourcing and AI to empower patients to transform their experiences into organized, large-scale structured Real-World Data needed for research. StuffThatWorks is the home to three million members across 1250 condition communities that have shared 1.3B data points. Now the largest organized Patient Level Real World Data platform, StuffThatWorks is differentiated by its expansive data collection, structuring, and organization of accessible information. The unique proprietary data set and unique AI and powerful Chat GPT-like capabilities enable the generation of insights for research, market access, and drug development.

Crowdsourcing Treatments that Work | Community Research | StuffThatWorks

About the Marfan Foundation

The Marfan Foundation is a global nonprofit organization that empowers people with genetic aortic and vascular conditions to foster optimal quality of life and longevity while building community. We save lives through research and education, enabling healthcare providers to offer the best-quality treatment and helping to foster mental and physical wellbeing. We serve communities impacted by Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and related conditions. To learn more, visit marfan.org or meet us on social media:

Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | X (Twitter) | Threads | YouTube | TikTok

The post StuffThatWorks and The Marfan Foundation to Engage in Pilot Program appeared first on Medika Life.

Achievements in science, tech advancements, shifts in health policy, a renewed interest in preventative care, and tackling health disparities can shift how we improve people’s health. Will these topics be front and center at HLTH?  We’ll know more in the days ahead. 

10 Predictions for the HLTH Main Stage

Here are my 10 predictions for health innovation in 2024 that have the potential to transform health – topics that should be woven into the commentary during HLTH mainstage conversations – that can make the most significant impact to improve people’s outcomes, reduce costs, and advance wellness. Let’s see what next weeks social media posts provide that give us indication of the changes ahead.

Prediction 1: AI-Driven Medicine Saves Lives

ChatGPT and AI (augmented intelligence) made their big public splash this year!  However, Microsoft and evangelists such as Tom Lawry and John Nosta have been pointing to AI as a life-sustaining tool in health for years. Surprisingly, “big data and “machine learning didn’t attract the same attention as the newest label – AI!  These technologies enable the development of highly personalized treatment plans based on an individual’s genetic makeup, medical history, and lifestyle and risk factors. AI-driven predictive models will assist health providers in making more accurate diagnoses faster and tailoring treatments for optimal patient outcomes.

Prediction 2: Telemedicine and Virtual Patient Monitoring Go Mainstream

Telemedicine saw unprecedented and “no alternative” growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.  It should continue to see prominence in 2024. Improvements in telehealth infrastructure and regulatory support make virtual consultations with health professionals accessible and efficient. One challenge has been reimbursement for providers compared to in-office visits.  There is a time and place for in-person care and virtual engagement.  Regardless, the urgencies of people in rural and remote communities and preventive care needs make telemedicine and virtual patient monitoring public health priorities.  There is no going back!

Prediction 3: Women’s Health Innovation Prioritized

Women’s health remains under-researched and is barely prioritized by biopharma companies and government-supported research grants. Women comprise half the adult population, but research into women’s health needs is embarrassingly low. The National Institutes of Health directs $42 billion on medical research annually, but only $5 billion of those funds are targeted to women’s health priorities. One global company stands out as a leader – more are needed. In the 1990s, women were more likely to die from their first heart attack compared to men due to gender bias. While those statistics have improved, women still face numerous public policy and care disparities – among the more pressing challenges – reproductive choice. These issues should take center stage and HLTH may be the platform for this long over-due (and urgent) conversation.

Prediction 4: Digital Therapeutics Take Center Stage

Digital therapeutics, including smartphone apps and wearables, will become integral to health intervention and connection. These innovative tools help patients manage chronic conditions, monitor vital signs, and adhere to treatment plans. The gamification of health through digital therapeutics will encourage patient engagement and long-term health outcomes.  Sector leaders, like Click Therapeutics Founder David Klein, are adopting “biopharma” like research models to demonstrate their value to patient care by conducting well-designed clinical trials that show complementary benefits with and with other therapies.  Those enterprises will set the stage for the future of digital therapeutics and redefine the category.

Prediction 5: Health Data Privacy and Security

Despite the hype, consumer-friendly cybersecurity technologies can shift how health data is managed and shared. Patients will have greater control over their health information and records, with the ability to securely share them with health providers, clinical researchers and other stakeholders as needed. Data that cannot be accessed or shared transparency and securely is useless in sustaining and saving lives. Consumers and health professionals need easier ways to protect sensitive health information and streamline data exchange for improved care coordination. EMRs are great if they offer convenient use and application; however, they are too often a jumble of inaccessible information. Security and utility are key! So long (hopefully) fax machine!

Prediction 6: Obesity as a Treatable Disease

Among the most dramatic ways to reduce disease burden and address heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, and even some cancers is to take obesity (very) seriously.  It Is not only about weight reduction but understanding that obesity is a domino effect, a multi-system disease. Weill Cornell’s Louis J. Aronne, MD‘s pioneering work recognized early that seeing this only as a “weight problem” underestimates its enormous human health impact. More and more, physicians will need to tap into the expertise of specialists to guide their treatment decisions.  With new medications available, physicians will examine the problem and think about solutions.  However, reducing weight is only part of the clinical response.  Getting it right will save millions of lives and billions in costs.

Prediction 7: Robotics and Automation

Don’t be surprised when robotic technology is increasingly integrated into health systems ORs and patient-care wings. Robots will soon perform set surgical procedures, dispensing medication, and performing patient-care tasks. Watch for Rafael Grossmann, MD, who first used Google Glasses in the OR to push the boundaries on what is possible and needed.  Automation will enhance efficiency, reduce human error, and improve patient safety. Robotic exoskeletons will also aid in rehabilitation and mobility for individuals with physical impairments. But remember the human touch!  While ChatGPT has become a patient favorite in searching out information and robotics will transform the patient experience, people’s confidence in skilled medical professionals remains paramount.

Prediction 8: Mental Health Priorities

There is a long-needed shift toward destigmatizing mental health issues and increasing access to mental health services. AI-powered chatbots and virtual therapists will provide on-demand support, while data analytics can identify at-risk individuals and tailor interventions. Virtual reality therapies will increasingly become a mainstream treatment option for anxiety and PTSD.  Services and upskilling are becoming an investment and professional-development priority.  However, while tech has a place in the process, there is something to be said for developing a personal relationship with a licensed psychologist or licensed clinical social worker skilled in face-to-face therapy. It’s always about caring for people!

Prediction 9: Global Collaboration for the Next Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of global collaboration in addressing public health emergencies. In 2024, international cooperation and data sharing must be at the forefront of pandemic preparedness. A global surveillance network will provide early warning systems, and rapid vaccine development platforms should be established to respond to emerging infectious diseases quickly.  COVID was a test run, and from a public health information standpoint, the developed nations stumbled.  From disappointment comes learning. Collaboration among public health professionals, policymakers, and medical innovators was paramount to the – even stymied – response. 

Prediction 10: Ethical Considerations for Health Innovation

As health innovation advances in 2024, ethical considerations must take prominence. The long overdue pain revealed during COVID must shift mindsets, behaviors and budgets. We must expect increased scrutiny and priority around data privacy, AI bias, health, and attention to racial and gender disparities.  We must set a path for responsible use of emerging technologies. We must recognize that public policy cannot diminish people’s care options. Ethical frameworks and regulations will be developed to ensure that health innovation benefits all people – and all nations – while respecting access, rights, and values.

A Common Call to Action at HLTH

These 10 predictions are a glimpse into the possibilities of what we might hear from speakers during HLTH. AI-driven personalized medicine, telemedicine and virtual patient monitoring, women’s health, digital therapeutics, cybersecurity, obesity management, robotics, mental health innovation, global collaboration, and ethical considerations should be front and center in the conversation to improve people’s health and well-being.  Life is often referred to “as a game.” It’s not. Health access cannot be roulette wheel spin left to chance. It requires advocacy, policy, planning and empathy. Kindness is a human quality that must be given center stage.

Right now, the people who often need preventive and primary care services face the most significant hurdles.  These predictions are based on one underlying principle – health innovation can only achieve its greatest potential when available to those with the greatest needs.  Hopefully, we’ll hear from more and more speakers stepping to the stages at HLTH that shared call to action.

The post When It Comes to the Future of HLTH – Life Is Not a Las Vegas Roulette Wheel appeared first on Medika Life.

Thanks to viral social media posts and constant press coverage, Ozempic and Wegovy have become almost household names, and many primary care providers face questions — some based on social media misinformation — from patients eager to give these new medications a try. The following are common questions I’m asked, and suggested context to frame a response.

• “Can you write me a prescription for Wegovy?”

Patients should understand that it’s not just a matter of writing a prescription. Obesity is a complex, chronic disease, and many interrelated factors, including genetics, environment, sleep patterns, stress, medications, hormonal imbalances, and other health conditions, need to be considered to determine the best treatment. Wegovy isn’t suitable for everyone who has obesity; there may be other, more appropriate medications. It’s also important to provide education and ongoing support for sustainable dietary, physical activity, and behavior changes. Lifestyle interventions are rarely sufficient on their own, but they’re always essential components of any effective weight management plan. A successful weight loss strategy needs to address all these factors comprehensively and in a personalized way as part of a long-term care plan. There’s no quick fix for obesity.

• “I don’t want to resort to medication. It feels like cheating. Why won’t diet and exercise work for me?”

Most people with obesity cannot lose significant weight and keep it off long-term with lifestyle changes alone. This is because weight loss triggers the body’s physiological “anti-starvation” mechanisms, leading to increased hunger and cravings and a lower metabolic rate. With obesity, the area around the hypothalamus (the energy regulatory center in the brain) becomes inflamed, interfering with feedback signals from the gut and fat cells. Anti-obesity medications address these underlying dysregulated hormonal and metabolic pathways. Semaglutide, for example, mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which helps people feel full sooner after eating and slows the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract. It targets areas of the brain that control appetite and influence eating decisions. Other anti-obesity medications work differently, but they all help the body overcome its anti-starvation responses to enable weight loss and weight maintenance.

• “Are the horror stories about Ozempic’s side effects — abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting — typical? I don’t want to feel miserable.”

These are known adverse events associated with semaglutide, and it’s to be expected that as more and more people take these medications, we hear more about the side effects, including the rare ones. Symptoms may be worse when the medication is not used appropriately — if the dose is too high or it’s escalated too quickly, if the medication is prescribed without adequate screening (for example, to identify people who have risk factors for these symptoms), or if patients aren’t given the necessary education and support (dietary and behavioral modifications can minimize symptoms). When best practices are followed, patients generally tolerate semaglutide well.

There’s a risk-benefit calculation when prescribing any medication, of course, but for people with a high BMI, who face elevated risk of many serious weight-related conditions, the benefits may outweigh the risks.

• “What about aesthetic changes? I’ve heard about ‘Ozempic face.’ Will my skin get saggy?”

Loose skin is common with major weight loss, regardless of how it’s achieved, especially if the weight is lost rapidly. But this aftereffect is highly variable, with age, diet, and genetics among the factors that play a role. Some people lose 100 pounds and have no loose skin, and others develop a significant amount of loose skin after losing much less weight.

It’s important to note that weight reduction involves the loss of muscle as well as fat, so I always recommend and regularly encourage  patients to incorporate strength training into their weight management program in order to maintain as much lean body mass as possible.

• “How long will I need to take Wegovy?”

Patients should expect to take the medication for the foreseeable future. Obesity is a chronic disease., We don’t counsel patients with other chronic illnesses about weaning medications once their condition is controlled. When a person with diabetes stops taking an antidiabetic medication, we expect blood sugar to increase. And when someone with high blood pressure stops taking an antihypertensive medication, we expect blood pressure to rise. Obesity is the same. The FDA has approved these medications for long-term use for this reason. Weight gain isn’t just possible after stopping an anti-obesity medication discontinuation, it’s expected.

• “Why doesn’t my insurance cover Wegovy?”

For years, weight loss was considered strictly “cosmetic,” and obesity was attributed to individuals’ poor lifestyle choices. Today, most industry players — including insurers — recognize that obesity is a complex, chronic disease. But the new anti-obesity medications are extremely costly, especially considering the huge number of potential users (more than 42% of U.S. adults have obesity).

Access needs to improve, and it needs to improve dramatically, but simply handing out GLP-1 prescriptions left and right isn’t the answer either.

A comprehensive approach to weight management can improve health outcomes for more than 200 other conditions that obesity causes or worsens, from high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes to sleep apnea and certain types of cancer. It makes more sense — in terms of both patient health and economics — to treat the underlying obesity directly rather than waiting for these preventable obesity-related diseases to develop.

Now that we have a critical mass of patients taking these new, highly effective medications, we will have more comprehensive data demonstrating the mortality benefits of anti-obesity medications. For example, results from Novo Nordisk’s landmark SELECT trial, a five-year cardiovascular outcomes trial of Wegovy compared to placebo in individuals with overweight or obesity, recently found that semaglutide reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular deaths) by 20 percent. With this evidence from the SELECT trial, improved insurance coverage should be next.

• “If my insurance doesn’t cover semaglutide, are there alternatives?”

Semaglutide is an important part of our anti-obesity armamentarium, but we don’t automatically prescribe it to everyone who qualifies. Other options include Contrave, Saxenda, and Qsymia, for example. Any anti-obesity medication needs to be selected in the context of a comprehensive individualized evaluation and prescribed as part of a personalized treatment plan. Depending on a patient’s specific situation and risk factors, I prescribe many medications that are considerably less expensive than semaglutide, and individuals on these medications are still able to lose a significant amount of weight. Everyone’s situation is different, and individuals respond to different medications in different ways. Obesity is not a simple disease, and there’s no one medication that’s right for everyone.

• “What about supplements like berberine? Some people are calling it ‘nature’s Ozempic.’ Is it worth trying?”

I caution my patients about dietary supplements for weight management because we don’t have high-quality evidence demonstrating efficacy. Worse, the lack of regulatory oversight in the supplement market makes it challenging to know exactly what’s contained in any given product. The actual amount of berberine could be different from what’s claimed, and other undisclosed ingredients could be included as well. For example, some dietary supplements have been shown to contain amphetamines or anti-obesity medications that have been withdrawn from the market.

• “What about compounded semaglutide? Is it safe?”

When patients present to me on compounded semaglutide, I recommend that they stop. As with dietary supplements, these drugs are not regulated. We have no idea what the products contain, what the actual dose of the active ingredient is, or whether the product has contaminants. The FDA has issued a warning about compounded semaglutide.

• “I’m having surgery next month. Is it true that I need to suspend my Wegovy?”

Because GLP-1 receptor agonists are associated with increased risk of nausea, vomiting, and delayed gastric emptying, the American Society of Anesthesiologists recently issued guidance suggesting that individuals who take these medications daily should stop the medication the day of the surgery, or, if they take them weekly, hold the dose the week before surgery. People who are taking these medications for diabetes in addition to weight management may need to consult with their endocrinologist to identify an alternative diabetes medication to bridge the gap.

Wegovy and the other anti-obesity medications in the pipeline that are even more promising are and will be extremely important agents in our armamentarium, but successful weight management requires more than just one medication in isolation. Media coverage of these new medications sometimes creates the impression that obesity is a simple disease that can be treated with a one-size-fits-all, short-term approach. In reality, however, obesity is, a complex, multifactorial, relapsing chronic disease, and treating it requires a comprehensive evaluation and a customized treatment plan with education and long-term support.

The post Are Your Patients Asking about Wegovy? appeared first on Medika Life.

First, a brief aside. I enjoy the work of sculptor Roland David Smith. This innovative American abstract expressionist painter and sculptor died in 1965 from a car crash at age 59.

Smith radically altered the terms of sculpture, a medium historically defined by casting, modeling, and carving. He was the first to use industrial welding as a sustained technique for large works.

I love his large abstract steel geometric sculptures. So here’s why my mind went to David Smith: I often most appreciate his sculptures when looking at them from different vantage points. They can be so radically different, depending on where you stand.

This perspective shift may be especially relevant when viewing Smith’s last works, the Cubi sculptures.

Today, most Cubi works are part of well-known museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Back to me and the perspective shift: Look from the side, and I have sufficient hair. From the front, still okay.

Now wander behind me as I sit in a chair, and voila: thinning hair on my crown. Consider me a Cubi (or perhaps Cubus?).

Hair Loss and Shedding

This morning, I read a piece in the New York Times entitled “Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?” I want to share some highlights from the article.

First, how many hairs do you think an average healthy individual sheds daily? According to the American Academy of Dermatology,

Healthy individuals shed approximately 50 to 100 strands of hair daily.

Are you losing more than that amount? You may have a condition with the unwieldy name of telogen effluvium or excessive hair shedding.

Stress

Can stress induce excessive hair shedding (telogen effluvium)? Yes, there are three hair loss types associated with high-stress levels. All have challenging names:

• Telogen effluvium (excessive hair loss). In telogen effluvium (TEL-o-jun uh-FLOO-vee-um), stress pushes numerous hair follicles into a resting phase. Within a few months, affected hairs might suddenly fall out when washing or combing your hair.
• Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh) is an irresistible urge to pull hair from your scalp, eyebrows, or other areas. Some pull to cope with uncomfortable or negative feelings (such as tension, stress, boredom, frustration, or loneliness).
• Alopecia areata. Various factors are thought to cause alopecia areata (al-o-PEE-she-uh ar-e-A-tuh), including severe stress. With alopecia areata, the immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.

Hair Shedding Risk Factors

The American Academy of Dermatology Association offers that excessive hair shedding is common in people who have experienced any of these stressors:

• Experiencing lots of stress (caring for a loved one who is sick, going through a divorce, losing a job)
• Lost 20 pounds or more
• Given birth
• Had high fever
• Undergone an operation
• Recovering from an illness, especially if it includes a high fever
• Stopped taking birth-control pills

Excessive Hair Shedding — How Common Is It?

The incidence of excessive hair shedding is unclear; many individuals suffering from it never receive a diagnosis.

The condition is more common among women. Pregnancy is associated with excessive hair shedding. Fortunately, this hair loss tends to be temporary.

Writing in the New York Times, Dr. Angela Lamb, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, offers this observation:

“People often develop telogen effluvium (excessive hair shedding) between six weeks and three months after a stressful event such as a major surgery, an illness (especially if it involved a fever), pregnancy or a death in the family — basically, anything that causes stress or shock to your system.

I was surprised to learn that this form of hair loss can occur after people recover from Covid-19. In a 2022 study, researchers surveyed almost 6,000 Brazilians who had recovered from Covid within the past three months. Nearly half of those who responded reported experiencing hair loss.

Hair Loss Differs from Shedding

Hair loss occurs when something stops hair from growing. For some, inherited genetics are the cause. Others have hair loss because of drugs or other treatments.

Certain hairstyles that pull on the hair can lead to hair loss. Sometimes, the immune system overreacts. In addition, some harsh hair products can be problematic.

Finally, some people have a compulsion to pull their hair.

Hair Shedding — Some Positive News

The good news? The American Academy of Dermatology Association offers this observation:

Most individuals see the excessive shedding stop after the body readjusts. Many see too much hair loss a few months after the stressful event; for example, some women see it peaking roughly four months post-delivery.

Within six to nine months, the hair regains its normal fullness.

On the other hand, if you don’t relieve yourself of the stress, the shedding can be chronic. Those under a lot of stress can see long-term excessive hair shedding.

If the stressor stays with you, hair shedding can be long-lived. People constantly under a lot of stress can have long-term excessive hair shedding.

Hair Loss — Get Input

Unfortunately, if you have hair loss, your hair won’t grow until the cause disappears. In my field of oncology, chemotherapy sometimes causes the loss of lots of hair. When the treatment stops, the hair usually regrows.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned that a particular medicine might be causing hair loss.

Other hair loss causes need treatment. Those with hereditary hair loss might find help with medicine or other interventions. Treatment can help many, but not all. A dermatologist can be an excellent resource for information.

If you notice sudden or patchy hair loss (or more than usual hair loss when washing or combing your hair), talk to a healthcare provider.

Sudden hair loss can be associated with an underlying medical condition (such as a thyroid problem) requiring management. Your doctor may also suggest treatment options for your hair loss.

Action Plan

Dr. Lamb suggests trying a daily multivitamin with vitamins D and B12 for those losing hair secondary to stress.

The former is involved in hair growth, while the latter might be deficient in some patients with telogen effluvium. Vitamins may be especially important around surgery.

On the other hand, Dr. Lamb does not recommend over-the-counter products high in biotin.

Such supplements have been shown to alter thyroid hormone test results, and the drugs sometimes cause acne flare-ups.

Many benefit from over-the-counter topical minoxidil treatment, such as Rogaine. Others get hair growth from prescribed medicine.

Minoxidil can accelerate shedding for several weeks or months before the shedding slows. Then, you may see re-growth. If shedding continues beyond three or four months, please check in with a valued healthcare professional.

Reduce Stress

Here are five ways that I reduce my stress levels:

1. I stay active. I love physical activity, whether walking or weightlifting.

2. I try to eat a healthy diet.

3. I have recently been better about regular meditation.

4. I love laughing.

5. I try to get at least seven hours of sleep (often coming up short by five to 15 minutes, alas).

Oh, my bald patch is the result of inherited genetics!

The post Hair Loss: The Hidden Toll of Stress appeared first on Medika Life.

Inserting Genes into CAR T Cells

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy genetically alters a patient’s T cells to recognize cancer cells and subsequently kill them. This engineered recognition relies on hybrid T cell receptors with antibody components to detect antigens, or biological tags, found on the surface of cancer cells (see Figure 1).

Researchers typically incorporate hybrid receptor genes into a CAR T cell via viral gene insertion. Despite its regard as a staple in cell therapy, retroviral gene transfer comes with several drawbacks. Viral vector manufacturing is expensive and time-consuming. The method lacks precision and could potentially allow an unwanted gene entry. Perhaps most limiting, it cannot be personalized to detect uncommon antigens. For this reason, all approved CAR T therapies in circulation target blood cancers that share a common antigen (usually CD19 or BCMA) rather than solid tumors, which greatly vary in antigen presentation. Standardizing a new means to insert genes would improve the accessibility, efficiency and usage of CAR T therapy.

Innovating with CRISPR Gene Editing 

In their Phase I clinical trial, the researchers at PACT Pharma and the University of California, Los Angeles explore the possibility of a different type of CAR T therapy—one that creates a hybrid receptor with CRISPR gene editing. With CRISPR, the team selectively removed native T cell receptor genes and replaced them with new, cancer-fighting alternatives.

The researchers began by searching and isolating a novel T cell receptor from the patient’s own immune system. First, they screened the patients by sequencing DNA from healthy blood samples and tumor biopsies; this step identified mutations which the tumor cells share but cannot be found in normal tissue. Algorithms then predicted which antigens would be present on the tumor.

Next, the team copied the antigens and mixed them with different versions of HLA, a type of molecule needed to present antigens to T cells. This process revealed specific T cells which could react to this particular combination of antigen-HLA. Researchers copied up to three of the highly personalized receptor genes to be integrated into the T cells using CRISPR/Cas9.

Figure 2 illustrates the subsequent process. The CRISPR/Cas9 interface knocked out two T cell receptor genes, TRCα and TRCβ (see Figure 3), and replaced them with three new receptor genes in a single step—decidedly more efficient than sourcing and cultivating retroviruses for gene transfer, as is currently standard in CAR T therapy.

The researchers multiplied the T cells to great numbers. Finally, the patients underwent lymphodepletion chemotherapy before receiving up to three doses of their personalized CRISPR/CAR T cell infusion.

The post Teaming Up Two Biotech Winners to Fight Cancer: CRISPR and CAR T appeared first on Medika Life.