Latest news with #BigPharma
Bloomberg
8 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
US Health Deals ‘Incredibly Hard' Due to Ambiguity, Advent Says
Health-care policy in the US poses a challenge for investors, whereas there are areas of opportunity in the sector in Europe, according to John Maldonado, managing partner at Advent. 'You have very idiosyncratic things — executive orders that could create substantive change in Big Pharma,' Maldonado said in an interview with Bloomberg Television at the SuperReturn private capital conference in Berlin. 'That does make dealmaking incredibly hard.'
Time Business News
3 days ago
- Health
- Time Business News
Barbara O'Neill's Shilajit Secrets: The Shocking Benefits Big Pharma Doesn't Want You to Know!
Introduction: A Mysterious Black Resin With Ancient Roots What if the secret to vitality, mental clarity, and youthful energy has been hidden in the rocks of the Himalayas for thousands of years? For centuries, a sticky black substance known as Shilajit has oozed from mountain crevices and into the hands of ancient healers. Used in Ayurvedic medicine, Shilajit was once reserved for kings, sages, and warriors. But today, it's making a powerful comeback—and Big Pharma isn't happy about it. Why? Because this natural remedy does what synthetic pills can't—revive your body on a cellular level without side effects. And now, one voice is louder than ever in bringing Shilajit back to the spotlight… Who Is Barbara O'Neill—and Why Does She Recommend Shilajit? Barbara O'Neill is a renowned Australian health educator, author, and naturopath. With over 30 years in the field of natural healing, she has helped thousands worldwide reclaim their health—without relying on pharmaceuticals. Barbara speaks openly about the healing power of nature, and Shilajit is one of her top-recommended remedies. She believes that Shilajit replenishes what modern life strips away—minerals, vitality, and inner balance. Many of her followers are now calling Shilajit the 'black gold of health', and Barbara O'Neill products featuring this resin are becoming highly sought-after. What Is Shilajit? Ancient Medicine With Modern Power, Barbara o'neill prosepctive The Origin Story of Shilajit Shilajit forms over centuries as plants decompose under extreme pressure in mountain ranges like the Himalayas, Altai, and Caucasus. This rare substance seeps out of the rocks during hot seasons and is collected carefully by hand. Ayurveda's Crown Jewel In Ayurveda, Shilajit is referred to as 'conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness.' It's classified as a Rasayana—a rejuvenating substance that promotes youth, longevity, and strength. Practitioners have used it for: Energy Brain function Fertility Healing wounds Detoxification 🧬 What's Inside Shilajit? The Hidden Power of Nature Chemical Composition That Works Like Magic Shilajit is not just dirt from the mountains—it's a concentrated powerhouse of over 85 ionic minerals, fulvic acid, humic acid, and dibenzopyrones. Here's what they do: Fulvic Acid: Improves nutrient absorption and detoxifies heavy metals. Humic Acid: Fights inflammation and boosts the immune system. Minerals: Restores what modern diets lack—magnesium, zinc, iron, and more. Dibenzopyrones: Powerful antioxidants that help cells repair. In other words: Shilajit fuels your cells from the inside out. 🔥 Proven Shilajit Benefits That Big Pharma Doesn't Want You to Know 1. Boosts Energy at the Cellular Level According to studies, Shilajit enhances mitochondrial function, which means your body creates more energy from the food you eat. 📚 Study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2009): Shilajit improves ATP production, the energy currency of your body. 2. Enhances Brain Function & Memory Shilajit's fulvic acid supports the nervous system and reduces tau protein buildup—linked to Alzheimer's. 🧠 Barbara O'Neill highlights Shilajit as a natural brain tonic that fights mental fatigue and supports clarity. 3. Balances Hormones Naturally Men and women both report improved libido, better moods, and balanced cortisol levels—without drugs. 4. Anti-Aging Power Thanks to its antioxidant profile, Shilajit fights cell damage, wrinkles, and muscle loss. Dr. Sebi also recommended similar mineral-rich compounds like Irish Sea Moss, but Shilajit is even more potent. 5. Immune System Support By detoxing heavy metals and boosting red blood cell production, Shilajit strengthens your defense system. 📊 Backed by Modern Science and Experts Even though Big Pharma tries to bury it, scientific evidence is growing: National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports Shilajit as a potential anti-inflammatory and cognitive enhancer. A 2012 study in Andrologia shows Shilajit increases testosterone levels in healthy men. Barbara O'Neill and Dr. Sebi both emphasize natural mineral therapy over synthetic drugs—and Shilajit fits this philosophy perfectly. ⚠️ Are There Side Effects or Precautions? Raw or unprocessed Shilajit can be dangerous. It may contain heavy metals or fungi if sourced poorly. Always choose purified Shilajit from trusted brands. Possible side effects include: Allergic reactions (rare) Lower blood pressure (monitor if you're on BP meds) Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women 🛑 If you're on medication, consult a natural health practitioner like Barbara O'Neill before using Shilajit. Conclusion: Is It Time to Rediscover What Nature Gave Us? Shilajit isn't just hype. It's real, ancient, and now backed by science. With experts like Barbara O'Neill boldly promoting it, people around the world are finally waking up to its miraculous benefits. Big Pharma won't promote it—because they can't patent it. But that doesn't mean you should miss out. Don't wait. Rediscover what your body truly needs ✅ Ready to Experience the Real Power of Shilajit? If you're tired of synthetic pills, low energy, and brain fog, it's time to try Barbara O'Neill's Shilajit secret. 👉 Buy Shilajit — 100% pure, trusted, and ethically sourced TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tom Cruise Reportedly Tried to Recruit This ‘Weak-Minded' Celebrity Into Scientology, per Resurfaced Reports
Tom Cruise's commitment to Scientology is well-documented — and, if Seth Rogen's memory serves, occasionally a little too enthusiastic. According to resurfaced interviews, the Top Gun star once attempted to pull Rogen and frequent collaborator Judd Apatow into the Church of Scientology during what was supposed to be a lighthearted pitch meeting about a comedy film. In a 2021 appearance on Howard Stern's radio show — which has made the rounds again following Cruise's latest Scientology-adjacent headlines — Rogen described a 'very absurd' afternoon at Cruise's house circa 2006, just after the birth of Cruise and Katie Holmes' daughter, Suri. Rogen said Holmes had a 'vague 'please rescue me from this place' look on her face,' which, in hindsight, might've been the first red flag. More from SheKnows Insiders Claim Tom Cruise May Want to Bury the Hatchet for Good With Ex Nicole Kidman by Doing This The conversation reportedly veered from movie talk to a passionate Scientology pitch, with Cruise insisting, 'If you let me just tell you what it's really about… just give me like 20 minutes… you'd say, 'No f***ing way.'' Rogen admitted he and Apatow exchanged a glance as if to say, 'Are we strong enough to survive this?' To be fair, Rogen described himself as a 'generally weak-willed, weak-minded person,' adding, 'Thank God Judd was like, 'Eh, I think we're good. Let's just talk about movies and stuff.'' Cruise, meanwhile, allegedly warned them about Big Pharma's plot to discredit him, a reference to his infamous anti-antidepressant stance — the same one that helped cement his reputation as a Hollywood wild card. This resurfaced anecdote comes just weeks after Cruise's Mission: Impossible premiere was disrupted by a peaceful protest led by former Scientologists in London, underscoring how the actor's faith still looms large over his public image. And while Cruise hasn't publicly mentioned Scientology in over a year, insiders insist he's still aligned with the church — even as he courts new audiences and, allegedly, a new partner. Cruise is rumored to be dating Ana de Armas, a devout Catholic who has reportedly discussed his beliefs and their potential impact on their future. And if Rogen's story is any indication, those '20 minutes' of persuasion might be harder to say no to than anyone of SheKnows All the Men Marilyn Monroe Reportedly Had Relationships With Throughout Her Short Life 30 Photos of Marilyn Monroe's Too-Short Life, From 1947-1962 Every Time Heidi Klum's Gorgeous, Colorful Fashion Choices Stopped Us in Our Tracks
New York Post
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
How one woman took on ‘Big Pharma' and (mostly) won
As a sales rep for drug manufacturers Questcor, Lisa Pratta always suspected the company's business practices weren't just immoral but illegal, too, as she explains in 'False Claims — One Insider's Impossible Battle Against Big Pharma Corruption' (William Morrow). But this was the final straw. 8 Lisa Pratta at her home In New Jersey. In 2011, Pratta began to spy on her employer Questcor, which she believed was overcharging patients by thousands of dollars for their medication Acthar. Stephen Yang Advertisement At a patient event in Freehold, NJ, in August 2011, a young woman walking with a cane asked Pratta if the drug she sold, Acthar, could help with her multiple sclerosis. When the woman mentioned she was a mother to two babies and also had been diagnosed with lymphoma, Pratta broke down. 'I couldn't say anything,' Pratta tells The Post. 'I just went to the ladies' room and cried. 'And that was the turning point. I knew my days of keeping my mouth shut were over.' Advertisement Pratta began working for Questcor in 2010 as the sales rep in the Northeast region for Acthar, a drug which helped relieve autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. 'If prescribed correctly, Acthar could help people walk again. And talk again,' writes Pratta. But, she adds, 'Questcor made more money when it was prescribed incorrectly.' They would do anything to sell Acthar. Advertisement From paying doctors to prescribe it to using bogus research studies proclaiming its miraculous efficacy, they were so successful that Achtar's price rose from $40 per vial in 2000 to nearly $39,000 in 2019 — an increase of 97,000%. Pratta's determination to do the right thing was partly the result of a traumatic childhood tainted by physical and sexual abuse. 8 Acthar's price rose from $40 per vial in 2000 to nearly $39,000 in 2019 — an increase of 97,000%. Acthar 'I had to fight for myself and develop that inner strength,' she says. 'I needed tenacity.' Advertisement That tenacity was put to the test when Pratta began to uncover the extent of Questcor's corruption. Some sales reps were making up to $4 million a year and, in turn, kept the physicians doing their bidding in a life of luxury. 'The greed had just taken over. They took them on scuba diving trips and bought clothes and shoes for their wives. One guy bought his doctor a brand new Armani suit and expensed it to Questcor,' she recalls. 'And I'm going to TJ Maxx to buy my shoes.' Though she had deliberated about exposing Questcor, Pratta worried about the ramifications. 'That's all I could think about,' she says. 'I was a single parent, mother of a special needs son and had a ton of debt from my divorce. 'The last thing I needed was to be fired and homeless.' The impetus to act came from former colleague, Pete Keller, who, also concerned about Questcor's methods, had decided to tell the authorities. 8 According to attorney Ross Begelman, Pratta served as a 'relator,' feeding information from her company to the Federal government. Javerbaum Wurgaft Now he needed Pratta, who was still working there, to act as a 'relator' and feed information to lawyers, including health care fraud attorneys Marc Orlow and Ross Begelman. Advertisement To make the case, Pratta compiled as much evidence as possible, surreptitiously making notes at sales meetings and patient programs. 'I used to write notes on the palm of my hand under the table,' she explains. 'If I was at a cocktail party and somebody confessed what they were doing was bribery, I would write it on a napkin in the bathroom or even on my pants. 'I ruined a lot of suits.' Given the financial might of the industry she was battling, Pratta became acutely aware of her own safety. Advertisement Before she turned whistleblower, Pratta researched other relators to see what happened to them. 'Just to see if anybody was murdered,' she explains. 'You know, a mysterious accident or a car blowing up.' 8 In 2012, the Department of Justice began an investigation into Questcor. AP Consequently, she become hyper-vigilant. 'I would see cars sitting at the end of my block and I just got paranoid,' she says. 'I was watching even more when I went in stores or the parking lot. I got a dashcam, too.' Advertisement In January 2012, the Department of Justice began a preliminary investigation into Questcor. Soon, federal agents began calling at Pratta's colleagues' homes and she had to feign shock. But, she writes, 'If I was the only one in the company who didn't get an early-morning visit from the Feds, that wasn't exactly helping me keep my cover.' Soon, Pratta's clandestine role became second nature to her. 'It didn't feel like I was still working for the government. It was like being married to my ex — they were never around, and there was no communication,' she writes. After Questcor was acquired by Irish pharma-giant Mallinckrodt in 2014, pressure to deliver even higher sales increased exponentially and with it came even greater disregard for ethics. 8 After Questcor was acquired by Irish pharma-giant Mallinckrodt in 2014, pressure to deliver even higher sales increased exponentially and with it came even greater disregard for ethics. AP Advertisement In 2017, after she was repeatedly bullied by her boss, Pratta went to HR to complain but was fired soon after, although they maintained it was a corporate restructure, just to avoid a wrongful termination case. 'Ironically, I wasn't fired because I was a double agent feeding information to the Department of Justice. Instead, they got rid of me for the offense of daring to speak out about an abusive manager,' she writes. In March 2019, the Department of Justice served a 100-page lawsuit against Mallinckrodt, alleging illegal marketing of Acthar, bribing doctors to boost sales and defrauding government health care programs It also mentioned Pratta's role in the case, meaning her long-held anonymity was now public knowledge. 'I didn't mind that my former bosses knew; I just wished I could have seen their faces when they put it all together. I hoped they felt that their lives were suddenly out of their control. 'The way the Acthar patients felt.' In the wake of the lawsuit, Mallinckrodt filed for bankruptcy, a move which immediately halted all legal action against them, much to Pratta's frustration. Worse still, a member of the New Jersey plumbers' union with MS had his union file a class action lawsuit against Mallinckrodt — and, as Pratta's identity was now revealed, and she was a New Jersey resident, he named her in it. While four of the five defendants were companies, Pratta was the only individual named.= 'The plumbers' union was not messing around,' she writes. 'They were pissed, and rightly so. In 2018, they'd paid $26,100.28 for one dose of Acthar for one of its members.' While that lawsuit against Pratta was ultimately thrown out, 'by the time it was finally dismissed, I was left with almost $42,000 in attorneys' fees,' she says. Nor did Pratta receive anywhere near the amount of compensation she could have been entitled to as a whistleblower. When Mallinckrodt settled out of court in March 2022, agreeing to pay just $26.3 million for violating the False Claims Act — far less than the amount had the case reached trial — it meant Pratta's percentage share was even smaller. Worse still, it would now be paid in installments, once a year for the next eight years. 'In reality, if I averaged it all out, it was as if I'd just stayed employed for another ten years instead of losing my job,' she reflects. 8 Pratta at her home in Jew Jersey with many of the documents and files that supported her cause against Questcor. Stephen Yang For Pratta, though, the long, expensive journey to justice had been worth all the anxiety and sleepless nights. In fact, she has no regrets whatsoever about doing what she did. 'Now I sleep like a baby,' she laughs.
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
As AI rewires microbiology, Clever Culture's lab tech is catching Big Pharma's eye
AI is reshaping microbiology in the labs Big Pharma taps Clever Culture's APAS system Here are ASX biotechs with global health deals Step into a modern microbiology lab today and you might notice something's different. The culture plates are still there, the samples still getting prepped, but there's less microscope squinting and a lot more clicking. That's because bugs haven't changed, but the way we spot them has. Artificial intelligence has quietly become the lab's most tireless worker. AI systems are now scanning culture plates, recognising bacterial growth patterns, and flagging potential pathogens in real time. Where a human might need minutes, or hours, AI can get you results in seconds. The secret to this is image recognition. These new systems are trained to detect tiny details that the human eye might miss: the shape of a bacterial colony, its colour, how it spreads across a plate. Labs are now using these tools to instantly sort through hundreds of samples and tell you what's what. Now, pair that with the bigger mission: identifying infections faster, especially the nasty ones that are resistant to antibiotics. Globally, this shift couldn't come at a better time. There's a shortage of skilled lab staff, and public health threats aren't slowing down. APAS upgrades the lab One standout example of this new wave of lab automation is the APAS Independence, a smart imaging platform built by ASX-listed Clever Culture Systems (ASX:CC5). Already active in hospitals and diagnostics labs across Australia, the US and Europe, the APAS system automates the most time-consuming part of microbiology: reading culture plates after incubation. Instead of a scientist peering at plates one by one, APAS takes high-resolution images, uses trained AI to assess bacterial growth, and feeds the results straight into the lab's system. 'What our product does is we automate that reading part of the workflow,' Clever Culture's CEO Brett Barnes told Stockhead's Nadine McGrath in a recent podcast. 'Rather than manually holding the plates and reviewing them and entering information in, you just load the instrument up with all of the plates. You start a session, and you walk away.' APAS can flag patterns of growth that suggest a pathogen or resistant bug, and sends results straight into the lab's reporting system in real time. And it's fast. We're talking up to 200 plates an hour, which is roughly three times the rate of manual reading. By filtering out the negatives automatically, APAS lets the human experts spend more time on the outliers, where their skill and judgement are actually needed. And what's also clever about APAS is how it fits into a lab's rhythm without overhauling the whole joint. No warehouse-sized robot arms. It's compact, modular, and blends right in. Why Big Pharma's eyeing APAS Big Pharma names like AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb are showing strong interest in this technology, and here's why. When the giants manufacture biologics – things like vaccines, eye drops, even dialysis treatments – contamination isn't just inconvenient, it's catastrophic. These aren't pills you pop with lunch. They're going straight into the bloodstream. So they must be made in ultra-controlled clean rooms, and environmental monitoring (checking those rooms for bacteria or mould) is crucial. 'We're talking about something that needs to be absolutely clean and sterile and free from any kind of contamination,' said Barnes. Trouble is, most of that monitoring still relies on humans squinting at culture plates. That's where APAS fits in. 'It's kind of crazy, because over 99% of those plates have no growth.' And yet, because of how critical the process is, many labs have two scientists verify every single plate. But with APAS, suddenly that laborious process becomes a precise, trackable, digital workflow. 'It sounds really easy, but we've spent (the) best part of 50 plus million dollars developing the technology.' But APAS' real value lies in its ability to standardise quality across massive manufacturing networks. That's exactly why AstraZeneca didn't just trial it, they're now rolling out nine systems across their global sites. 'They've made a decision to standardise APAS for all, at least their largest manufacturing sites globally,' Barnes says. 'Once it's in, it's very sticky.' Same goes for Bristol Myers Squibb, which just placed a second order. Bristol has been trialling APAS since July last year at its US Microbiology Centre of Excellence, and clearly, it likes what it sees. The first unit was for evaluation, but now it's ordered another one for live use at a second site. It's being used to scan 90mm settle plates as part of environmental monitoring, basically checking that drug-making spaces stay sterile. Next, Bristol will be testing APAS on the 55mm contact plates. If that goes well, it could open the door to rolling it out across more of its global sites. 'Our strategy has been to target global pharmaceutical manufacturers that operate multiple sites globally, and represent multi-instrument sales opportunities,' said Barnes. Other ASX biotechs striking global health deals While Clever Culture Systems' APAS is gaining traction in pharma cleanrooms, several other ASX-listed biotech and medtech companies are also forging impactful partnerships with global pharmaceutical giants: Dimerix (ASX:DXB): Secured an exclusive US licensing agreement with Nasdaq-listed Amicus Therapeutics for its Phase 3 kidney disease drug, DMX-200, targeting Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The deal includes an upfront payment of $30 million and potential milestone payments up to $560 million. Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX:NEU): Granted Nasdaq-listed Acadia Pharmaceuticals exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise trofinetide, marketed as DAYBUE, for Rett syndrome. Acadia holds a global license for this treatment. Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX): Partnered with NYSE-listed Cardinal Health for the US distribution of its prostate cancer imaging agent, Illuccix. Additionally, Telix has a collaborative development and reseller agreement with GE Healthcare to supply its investigational PET imaging agents. Clarity Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CU6): Entered into a commercial-scale supply agreement with US private biotech Nusano, Inc. for the production of copper-64 (Cu-64), a critical isotope for its radiopharmaceutical products. Botanix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:BOT): Received FDA approval for Sofdra (sofpironium bromide) gel for primary axillary hyperhidrosis. The product was originally developed by Tokyo-listed Kaken, which markets it in Japan under the name Ecclock. EMvision Medical Devices (ASX:EMV): Secured a strategic investment from NYSE-listed Keysight Technologies, a global leader in test and measurement solutions. This partnership provides EMVision with a fully funded path to market for its emu device, facilitating accelerated clinical trials and regulatory approvals in the US. Imagion Biosystems (ASX:IBX): Has an ongoing collaboration with Siemens Healthineers to optimise MRI scanning protocols for its MagSense HER2 imaging agent. This partnership supports Imagion's planned multi-site Phase 2 study in the US, aiming to enhance early cancer detection methods. Imricor Medical Systems (ASX:IMR): Entered into a sales collaboration with Philips, granting Philips non-exclusive rights to resell Imricor's Advantage-MR System alongside its MRI scanners in European countries recognising the CE mark. This agreement marks a significant step in expanding Imricor's market presence in Europe. Lumos Diagnostics (ASX:LDX): Has signed two agreements with NASDAQ-listed Hologic, a global leader in women's health. These include a US$10 million intellectual property agreement and a US$4.7 million development agreement to create a next-generation version of Hologic's fetal fibronectin (fFN) test for assessing preterm birth risk.
