GSK makes $2bn bet on liver drug from US biotech
The FTSE 100 company will acquire the lead asset of Boston Pharmaceuticals, an American biopharma company, which is due to enter late-stage clinical trials and a potential 'best-in-class' blockbuster.
Efimosfermin is being developed as a once-monthly injection to both treat and prevent progression of steatotic liver disease, where patients suffer from an accumulation of fat in the liver and inflammation and fibrosis.
Scientists believe the drug has the potential to combat more advanced stages of the disease and will complement an existing drug being developed internally by GSK, including as a potential combination.
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The Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Sun
Two killed including school cook, 62, after eating poisonous guacamole as 2 children recover in hospital
TWO people have died and two children are recovering in hospital after several people were poisoned by a toxic batch of guacamole. The fatally contaminated avocado dip was served up to unsuspecting customers at a food festival before they showed signs of botulism. 4 4 4 School cook Valeria Sollai, 62, is said to have eaten the guacamole and then was rushed to hospital. But she died on Monday after spending weeks on life support. Roberta Pitzalis, 38, also ate the same batch of guacamole at the festival in Sardinia - before dying on August 8. An autopsy confirmed Roberta died from a combination of botulism poisoning and pneumonia. Several others required hospital treatment following the horrifying ordeal at the Fiesta Latina festival. The food event took place in Monserrato, in Cagliari, between July 22-24. One boy and one girl, aged 11 and 14 respectively, remain in hospital and are reported to have eaten from the same batch of guacamole. A post-mortem for Valeria is set to take place. She showed signs of recovery before suffering a relapse and tragically dying. Her cousin Gianni Milia said: "It's absurd that someone goes out for a relaxing evening, goes to a party, eats a sandwich and ends up in the hospital. Woman, 45, becomes second person to die after eating 'toxic broccoli' as 17 others poisoned as veg recalled across Italy "She was with her sisters, they all ate the same sandwich, but only she fell ill." She added: "They were celebrating their older sister's discharge from the hospital. A party turned into a tragedy." Describing Valeria, Monserrato mayor Tomaso Locci said: 'She gave so much for our children. "The news saddens us deeply. We will be present at the funeral as a community, as we were for Roberta Pitzalis, the other victim. "This is a loss that affects us all.' Valeria is survived by her husband, Angelo Aru, and her son Alessandro, a police officer in Campania. In a Facebook post last month, Alessandro spoke about an unnamed patient with 'worsening neurological conditions'. He also made a heartbreaking appeal for people to be more careful with street food. He said: "I strongly advise against eating any food sold at street stalls over the next few weeks." The poisoned 14-year-old girl is being treated at Monserrato Policlinico hospital. Meanwhile, the 11-year-old has been flown to Rome's Gemelli Policlinico and is said to be in a serious condition. What Is It? Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It affects the nervous system, leading to muscle paralysis and breathing difficulties. How is it contracted? The illness usually comes from eating food contaminated with the toxin. This often happens due to improper food processing, such as inadequate canning. Symptoms to watch for: Muscle weakness Difficulty breathing Double vision Difficulty swallowing How serious is it? Botulism can be life-threatening. In severe cases, it can cause death, with around 10 per cent of cases being fatal if not treated promptly. Treatment: If you think you are suffering from botulism poisoning, medical attention is crucial. Treatment typically involves antitoxins and supportive care, including breathing assistance if necessary. Prevention: Ensure proper food processing and handling. Avoid consuming home-canned foods if you're unsure about their safety. It comes amid mounting concern over food safety in Italy following similar events across the country. Another deadly botulism outbreak was reported in the southern region of Calabria earlier this month. It also comes after two people in Italy died after eating a toxic veggie and sausage sandwich in Italy. More than a dozen people were hospitalised after eating the poisoned sandwiches from a food truck near the town of Diamante in Calabria. Tamara D'Acunto, 45, died shortly after eating the panini made with turnip greens - a vegetable similar to broccoli - last week. Luigi Di Sarno, 52, also died after taking a fatal bite from a sandwich bought from the same vendor. In total, 17 other people have so far been hospitalised with food poisoning within 24 to 48 hours of eating the sandwiches. They all showed signs of botulism - which is caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves. The illness can lead to muscle paralysis, breathing difficulties and death. It is typically caused by canned, preserved and fermented foods.
Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Expert reveals common kitchen spices that can kill most viruses and cure colds
An herbal practitioner has shared the plants that he claims are more effective than prescribed medicines. Herbalist Simon Mills appeared on The Diary of a CEO with host Steven Bartlett recently, where he listed his go-to herbal medicines. The author insisted that there are a few common kitchen spices that can combat everything from a common cold to cardiovascular problems. He credited ginger, chili, turmeric, cinnamon and garlic as the household ingredients that can kill most viruses. He also detailed the natural remedy that he claims can cure a cold, involving only ginger and cinnamon. Ginger root is said to contain several healing properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, raising body temperature. To effectively use it to combat a cold, Mills said to grate about a 'thumb's size' of the plant into a mug. He then combines it with a stick of cinnamon, which contains healing properties such as digestive support, respiratory relief, menstrual symptoms in women, as well as helping to ease other pain. 'You either grate that if you have a spice mill or you take a teaspoon of already dried spice,' he explained. From there, Mills said he adds hot water, letting it sit for a few minutes before straining it into a separate mug. 'You can feel it warning straight away,' he said. He explained that when you ingest ginger or other similar 'hot plants,' it can help clear out sinuses since ginger contributes to hyperemia - a reflex response to open the blood vessels. Mills said this in turn causes the cells producing mucus to loosen up and can even bring up phlegm from the lungs. 'There's a natural escalator that the body uses to get stuff out of the lungs that [get]s stimulated,' he shared. Mills also said he uses spices like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric as his 'main go-to' to help fend off cardiovascular problem. In addition, he explained that if you cut turmeric in half, you get curcumin - which acts as an anti-inflammatory. The herb enthusiast also spoke of the benefits of garlic, explaining that when eating raw, the vegetable is a 'very powerful prebiotic' and can help the gut flora. '[I] encourage people not to ask the doc for an antibiotic and use some of these at-home, easy, and free treatments instead,' he said. Although much of the research into herbs and spices as medicine is still in an early stage – and often uses concentrated extracts or large doses you wouldn't get from a normal meal – there are signs that everyday amounts could give your long-term health a boost. The FDA considers herbal supplements as foods, not medicines, so they are not subject to the same testing, manufacturing, and labeling standards and regulations as medicines. According to John Hopkins Medicine, herbal supplements can interact with conventional medicines and may have strong effects. Doctors advise people not to self-diagnose or self-prescribe, and to talk with your healthcare provider before taking herbal supplements.
Telegraph
14 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Evri try out first robot delivery dogs
He will never bite the postman, chew the corner of letters or leave an unwelcome 'package' on the driveway. Meet Milo, the robotic AI delivery dog who will be assisting Evri, the parcel company, in trials in Yorkshire over the next fortnight. The four-legged assistant has been programmed to hop in and out of the van and deliver packages, lightening the load for couriers. Marcus Hunter, the firm's chief technology officer, said: 'Couriers always have been and always will be the heart of our business. 'In this next stage of innovation, we are thrilled to introduce Milo the robotic delivery dog, and we're excited to see the trial get under way and see what we learn. 'This is a game-changer for last-mile delivery, and we can't wait for customers to see our couriers and their new robotic sidekicks in action.' Robot can navigate safely Milo has been trained using real world data and is also equipped with cameras and laser mapping systems so he can navigate safely around pedestrians, cyclists or wheelie bins. By the time the robots are put into use, they have already encountered millions of scenarios in simulations so they can adapt to real-world situations quickly. Parcels are placed inside the box on Milo's back, and the robot then trots alongside the courier, who removes the delivery once they reach their destination. Milo can also bend down and tip out the parcel. The first trials are taking place in Morley, Leeds. If successful, more of the robots could be brought into use to support deliveries. The robot has been developed by RIVR, a Swiss AI firm. Marko Bjelonic, the chief executive, said: 'This deployment marks a major milestone – not just for RIVR and Evri, but for the future of last-mile delivery in the UK. 'By bringing autonomous doorstep delivery robots into live operations, we're demonstrating how technology can ease the burden on couriers, enhance delivery efficiency, and raise the bar for customer experience.' RIVR is also developing a robot dog with an arm that could eventually work completely autonomously. The company says its ultimate goal is a 'world where robots can navigate sidewalks, open doors, hand off packages and communicate with people as fluidly as human couriers'. It added that the robots would reduce the need for repetitive short-distance walking, which could alleviate driver fatigue and speed up efficiency. Currently, delivery drivers can spend most of their time navigating between nearby drop-offs, but the robots could allow multiple deliveries to be made quickly. Wait function to help disabled customers Evri will also be trialling a miniature AI wheeled truck in Barnsley in September for three months, with residents having the option of signing up for robotic deliveries. The company said the robot would have the added benefit of being able to wait up to 10 minutes for householders to answer the door, which could be particularly useful for customers with disabilities. The robots can also be deployed 24 hours a day, allowing for night-time deliveries for consumers on different schedules, or more on-demand services with designated time slots for consumers. Cllr Robin Franklin, Barnsley council's cabinet spokesman for regeneration and culture, said: 'We're incredibly proud to be hosting the trial run for this programme in Barnsley. This is an amazing piece of innovation that could revolutionise home deliveries and we wish Evri the best of luck with the trial.' Evri is Britain's largest dedicated parcel delivery company, dealing with more than 800 million packages each year.
