Latest news with #BMT
Sydney Morning Herald
21-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Passengers on this train line were hammered by delays. Now there's more bad news
John Cenzato was debating whether to board the 4.11pm to Lithgow on Tuesday, as screens started flashing that no trains were running between Central and Strathfield because of an electrical issue. The Leura resident and university librarian, who has commuted to Sydney for more than 20 years, decided to get on – he is used to delays on a service that has gone from 'OK for a while' to 'worse and worse'. Ten minutes later, an announcement told Blue Mountains line (BMT) passengers no services would be departing. 'I have no idea how I'm going to get home,' he said. In the confusion before it was revealed a live wire had fallen on a train at Strathfield, causing days of public transport chaos, the Herald approached Cenzato to discuss another delay. Transport for NSW has said BMT and South Coast passenger services on the new intercity Mariyung fleet, once expected by the second half of this year, would not commence before late 2025. For Cenzato, contemplating unknown hours on top of his two-hour journey, there were bigger issues. 'They've been promising [the new fleet] since 2014. The main thing for a lot of us is that the trains run on time.' But the Mariyung fleet rollout is emblematic of problems faced by BMT users, who have experienced some of the worst delays this week, and earlier this year as part of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union's (RTBU) ongoing pay dispute with the state government. The $4.03 billion Korean-built trains, which arrived in 2019 to replace ageing V-set models, sat unused amid another dispute between successive governments and the RTBU over safety issues. They began on the Newcastle Central Coast line in December 2024 to rave reviews from enthusiasts, after an agreement on changes to cameras, screens and emergency doors was reached in November 2022. Earlier negotiations resulted in tunnel-widening work on the Blue Mountains line completed in 2020. Craig Turner, president of the RTBU's NSW branch, said he understood the fleet would not start on the line before 'at least the end of 2025' and the South Coast before 2026. 'All these projects get delayed for some reason,' he said. 'We refute anyone that says that we've held up that train. The reason it's been held up was 99.9 per cent on safety. You can't have a train that went out there and actually killed people.'
The Age
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Passengers on this train line were hammered by delays. Now there's more bad news
John Cenzato was debating whether to board the 4.11pm to Lithgow on Tuesday, as screens started flashing that no trains were running between Central and Strathfield because of an electrical issue. The Leura resident and university librarian, who has commuted to Sydney for more than 20 years, decided to get on – he is used to delays on a service that has gone from 'OK for a while' to 'worse and worse'. Ten minutes later, an announcement told Blue Mountains line (BMT) passengers no services would be departing. 'I have no idea how I'm going to get home,' he said. In the confusion before it was revealed a live wire had fallen on a train at Strathfield, causing days of public transport chaos, the Herald approached Cenzato to discuss another delay. Transport for NSW has said BMT and South Coast passenger services on the new intercity Mariyung fleet, once expected by the second half of this year, would not commence before late 2025. For Cenzato, contemplating unknown hours on top of his two-hour journey, there were bigger issues. 'They've been promising [the new fleet] since 2014. The main thing for a lot of us is that the trains run on time.' But the Mariyung fleet rollout is emblematic of problems faced by BMT users, who have experienced some of the worst delays this week, and earlier this year as part of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union's (RTBU) ongoing pay dispute with the state government. The $4.03 billion Korean-built trains, which arrived in 2019 to replace ageing V-set models, sat unused amid another dispute between successive governments and the RTBU over safety issues. They began on the Newcastle Central Coast line in December 2024 to rave reviews from enthusiasts, after an agreement on changes to cameras, screens and emergency doors was reached in November 2022. Earlier negotiations resulted in tunnel-widening work on the Blue Mountains line completed in 2020. Craig Turner, president of the RTBU's NSW branch, said he understood the fleet would not start on the line before 'at least the end of 2025' and the South Coast before 2026. 'All these projects get delayed for some reason,' he said. 'We refute anyone that says that we've held up that train. The reason it's been held up was 99.9 per cent on safety. You can't have a train that went out there and actually killed people.'
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Sion Hospital to increase bone marrow transplant facility's capacity from 2 beds to 8
Mumbai: The civic-run Sion Hospital is set to expand its bone marrow transplant (BMT) facility, in a move aimed at improving paediatric cancer care within the public health system. According to Dr Mohan Joshi, dean of Sion Hospital, the institute will increase its capacity from just two BMT beds to eight in the next three months. 'Currently, the hospital performs an average of 24 bone marrow transplants annually. With the expanded capacity, this number is expected to rise to approximately 100 transplants per year, significantly reducing waiting times,' said Dr Joshi. Due to the current shortage of beds, many patients were being referred to other centres such as Wadia Hospital or Tata Memorial Hospital, both of which have lengthy queues for BMT procedures, said a doctor at Sion Hospital, who requested anonymity. The expansion is, thereby, expected to improve access to critical, life-saving transplants for children diagnosed with haematological cancers and genetic blood disorders, particularly those from low-income households in areas such as the nearby Dharavi slums. BMT programme Established in 2015, Sion Hospital, officially known as the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, was the first civic medical institution to initiate a BMT programme. The service was briefly interrupted during the pandemic but has since resumed full operations. Over the years, the hospital has completed 104 paediatric bone marrow transplants, with a reported success rate of 93%, according to Dr Radha Ghiladhial, head of the paediatric department. BMT is a complex and resource-intensive procedure that often serves as the only curative option for children with severe blood disorders, explained Dr Ghiladhial. 'The process involves conditioning chemotherapy to eradicate diseased marrow, followed by the infusion of healthy hematopoietic stem cells from a matched donor,' she said. 'Patients must remain in sterile isolation for several weeks to prevent infections while the new marrow engrafts and begins producing healthy blood cells.' Infrastructural constraints and long wait times have posed serious challenges for patients. Conditions such as thalassemia major require lifelong transfusions, which can lead to iron overload and multi-organ complications if not managed with chelation therapy. A timely bone marrow transplant not only improves survival rates but also eliminates the need for lifelong transfusions, significantly enhancing quality of life, said Dr Ghiladhial. The planned expansion of the BMT facility at Sion Hospital would help improve treatment equity, particularly for underprivileged families who cannot access timely care elsewhere, she added. Bone marrow transplantation in private hospitals typically costs between ₹25 lakh and ₹30 lakh, making it inaccessible for many. 'For families from low-income backgrounds, this cost is insurmountable,' said Dr Joshi. 'At Sion Hospital, however, the transplant is provided almost entirely free of charge, thanks to government health schemes, donations, and support from non-governmental organisations.' In most cases, families pay no more than ₹30,000 to ₹35,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, he added. New lease of life Eight-year-old Imran Shaikh from Dharavi is among the many lives transformed by this programme. Diagnosed with thalassemia major at age two, he required monthly blood transfusions. With no means to afford private care, Imran's family turned to Sion Hospital. After a six-month wait, he received a successful transplant in 2023. His mother, Fatema, said, 'Sion Hospital didn't just treat him—they gave him his life back. We were guided and supported throughout.' The expansion project is being fully funded by the nonprofit MKH Foundation, which has signed a memorandum of understanding with the hospital. The foundation will cover the capital costs required for the facility's infrastructure upgrade, including specialised high-efficiency particulate air- or HEPA-filtered isolation rooms, laminar airflow units, and support equipment necessary for sterile BMT environments. Once complete, this upgraded centre will not only enhance the hospital's annual treatment capacity but also set a benchmark for public-sector paediatric transplant programmes in India.
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Minister for Industries launches bone marrow transplant unit at Apollo Cancer Centre
The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) has launched a bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit for holistic cancer care. Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce, T.R.B. Rajaa inaugurated the BMT unit on the occasion of World Thalassemia Day. He said APCC has set world class standards higher for cancer care by putting the State and the country on the world map through medical tourism. He wanted Apollo Hospitals to leverage the reputed brand by entering into the manufacturing of healthcare equipment, as only through local manufacturing would the healthcare be made more affordable for common people. Apollo Hospital's Director Group Oncology, Harshad Reddy said the MBT unit would provide cutting-edge radiation therapies through total marrow and lymphoid irradiation to cancer patients. Apollo Hospitals Director of Medical Oncology, Hematology and BMT Dr. Jose M. Easow and Dinesh Madhavan, president of Group Oncology also spoke on the occasion.
Associated Press
10-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Palatin to Present Positive Phase 2b Data for Melanocortin Agonist in Diabetic Kidney Disease at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Meeting
Six-month open-label study showed clinically meaningful improvements in kidney function and disease in patients with Type 2 diabetic nephropathy. 71% achieved a >30% reduction in UP/Cr, a key indicator of kidney damage. 71% demonstrated improved or stabilized eGFR, signaling preserved kidney function. 37.5% had increased urinary VEGF levels, suggesting better blood vessel support in the kidneys. 36% had reduced urinary synaptopodin losses, indicating healthier kidney cells and structure. CRANBURY, N.J., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Palatin Technologies, Inc. (NYSE American: PTN), a biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class medicines based on molecules that modulate the activity of the melanocortin receptor system, today announced that data from the Phase 2b BREAKOUT study will be presented today at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Meeting in Boston, MA. The poster presentation titled Efficacy of Bremelanotide (BMT) to Stabilize Podocyte Function and Reduce Proteinuria in Adults with Diabetic Type II Nephropathy: Results from a Phase IIb, Open-Label Study, will be presented by James A. Tumlin, M.D., CEO and Founder of NephroNet Clinical Trials Consortium, and the lead investigator for the study. 'The positive results from our Phase 2b study evaluating a melanocortin agonist in patients with diabetic Type 2 nephropathy represents our third major clinical milestone across distinct therapeutic areas,' said Carl Spana, Ph.D., President and CEO of Palatin. 'These results, along with previously announced positive topline data from our Phase 2 obesity and ulcerative colitis studies, and the advancement of our Phase 3 dry eye disease program, demonstrate the breadth and robustness of our melanocortin platform. Collectively, these data validate our scientific approach and further support the potential of melanocortin agonists as differentiated therapeutics in addressing significant unmet needs across metabolic, ocular, and inflammatory diseases.' The BREAKOUT Study (BMT-701) enrolled 16 patients with confirmed Type 2 diabetic nephropathy and >1000 mg/gm UP/Cr ratio, with 8 patients completing the six-month treatment regimen, at multiple sites in the United States. Patients were administered bremelanotide subcutaneously twice daily in addition to their maximum tolerated dose of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibition therapy and monitored through a follow-up period. The data presented highlighted meaningful clinical improvements in patients with Type 2 diabetic nephropathy following six months of treatment with a low-dose of a melanocortin agonist. The therapy showed potential to slow disease progression and preserve kidney function. Key findings included: 71% of patients achieved a >30% reduction in the urine protein to creatinine ratio (UP/Cr), a key indicator of kidney damage. 71% of patients demonstrated improved or stabilized estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), signaling preserved kidney function. 37.5% of patients had increased urinary vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, suggesting better blood vessel support in the kidneys. 36% of patients had reduced urinary synaptopodin loss, indicating healthier kidney cells and structure. Poster G-423f will be presented today, Thursday, April 10th at 5:00 PM EST at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Meeting and will be available as an e-poster on Palatin's website ( About Melanocortin Receptor Agonists The melanocortin receptor ('MCR') system has effects on inflammation, immune system responses, metabolism, food intake, and sexual function. There are five melanocortin receptors, MC1R through MC5R. Modulation of these receptors, through use of receptor-specific agonists, which activate receptor function, or receptor-specific antagonists, which block receptor function, can have medically significant pharmacological effects. Many tissues and immune cells located in the eye (and other places, for example the gut and kidney) express melanocortin receptors, empowering our opportunity to directly activate natural pathways to resolve disease inflammation. About Diabetic (Nephropathy) Kidney Disease Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease in the United States and other developed countries. Approximately 30 million US patients have chronic kidney disease (CKD) secondary to the combination of hypertension and Type II diabetes mellitus. Despite this remarkable prevalence, clinicians have little consensus on what comprises optimal therapy. While the widespread use of RAAS blockade and other maneuvers have slowed disease progression, approximately one-third of patients with Type II diabetic nephropathy will progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As a result, much effort has been devoted to understanding the mechanisms by which the diabetic condition leads to the typical histopathologic changes, including mesangial expansion, thickened basement membranes, and loss of podocyte density and functionality. There is evidence that injury to the glomerular podocyte is central to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and that clinical treatments should be directed toward maintaining podocyte viability. Podocytes are highly differentiated neuron-like cells with limited cell division and replacement capacity. They are central to the support and maintenance of glomerular capillary networks and function as the final barrier in glomerular filtration. Evidence from pre-clinical animal model studies suggests that podocyte losses precede and contribute to progressive diabetic glomerulopathy. About Melanocortins and Kidney Disease The melanocortin receptor system is comprised of 5 different receptors with broad and varying physiologic functions. MC1r signals through a G-protein coupled pathway that leads to activation of adenylate cyclase and ultimately stimulation of the serine-threonine kinase activity of protein kinase A. A growing body of work in cell signaling and function of the glomerular podocyte suggests that protein kinase A regulates the formation of footplate processes, cell attachment, and apoptosis. MC1r activation may stabilize podocyte function and survival in diabetes and other conditions of glomerular diseases. About Palatin Palatin is a biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class medicines based on molecules that modulate the activity of the melanocortin receptor systems, with targeted, receptor-specific product candidates for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical need and commercial potential. Palatin's strategy is to develop products and then form marketing collaborations to maximize their commercial potential. For additional information regarding Palatin, please visit Palatin's website at and follow Palatin on Twitter at @PalatinTech. Forward-looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements about future expectations of Palatin Technologies, Inc., such as statements about Palatin products in development, clinical trial results, potential actions by regulatory agencies, regulatory plans, development programs, proposed indications for product candidates, and market potential for product candidates are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Palatin intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause Palatin's actual results to be materially different from its historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Palatin's actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements for reasons including, but not limited to, results of clinical trials, regulatory actions by the FDA and other regulatory and the need for regulatory approvals, Palatin's ability to fund development of its technology and establish and successfully complete clinical trials, the length of time and cost required to complete clinical trials and submit applications for regulatory approvals, products developed by competing pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, commercial acceptance of Palatin's products, and other factors discussed in Palatin's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Palatin is not responsible for updating events that occur after the date of this press release. Palatin Technologies® is a registered trademark of Palatin Technologies, Inc.
