Latest news with #NIAID
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MiNK Therapeutics Awarded Prestigious NIAID Grant to Advance Allo-iNKT Cell Therapy for Prevention of GvHD in Stem Cell Transplant Patients
Non-dilutive NIH funding supports development of MiNK's allogeneic iNKT platform for immune regulation in high-risk HSCT settings NEW YORK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MiNK Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: INKT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering allogeneic, off-the-shelf invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies, today announced it has been awarded a grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant will support development of MiNK's allo-iNKT cell therapy platform for the prevention and treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin. 'This non-dilutive funding from NIAID underscores the growing recognition of iNKT cells as a unique and powerful modality in immune regulation,' said Jennifer Buell, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of MiNK Therapeutics. 'The work led by Dr. Gumperz and her team at the University of Wisconsin has provided important mechanistic insights into how allo-iNKT cells may not only prevent graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) but also improve the success of engraftment. Through our preclinical and clinical collaboration, we aim to address the needs of the nearly 50% of patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants who are at risk for this serious and potentially life-threatening complication. This award both validates the promise of our iNKT platform and accelerates its development in a high-priority area of unmet medical need.' GvHD is a severe immune complication that can occur after allogeneic HSCT, often leading to multi-organ damage and high mortality. iNKT cells are uniquely suited for this setting due to their natural ability to regulate immune responses, promote tissue repair, and suppress inflammatory pathways. 'Our partnership with MiNK unites their cutting-edge iNKT manufacturing with our deep expertise in transplant immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,' said Jenny E. Gumperz, PhD, Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. 'iNKT cells can calm the destructive allo-immune response that drives GvHD, while preserving the patient's ability to fight infection—a balance current therapies struggle to achieve. NIAID's support allows us to speed this science toward the clinic and, ultimately, give transplant patients a safer path to long-term survival.' About MiNK Therapeutics MiNK Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies and precision-targeted immune technologies. MiNK's proprietary platform is designed to restore immune balance and drive cytotoxic immune responses across cancer, immune-mediated diseases, and pulmonary immune failure. MiNK's lead asset, AGENT-797, is an off-the-shelf, allogeneic iNKT cell therapy currently in clinical development for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), solid tumors, and critical pulmonary immune collapse. MiNK is also advancing a pipeline of T cell receptor (TCR)-based therapies and neoantigen discovery tools that enable tumor- and tissue-specific immune activation with broad potential application. With a scalable, cryopreserved manufacturing process and a differentiated mechanism that bridges innate and adaptive immunity, MiNK is committed to developing next-generation immune reconstitution therapies that are accessible, durable, and applicable across a wide range of indications. For more information, visit or @MiNK_iNKT. Information that may be important to investors will be routinely posted on our website and social media channels. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the therapeutic potential, anticipated benefit, plans and timelines of iNKT cells, as well as the collaboration between MiNK and Agenus. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the factors described under the Risk Factors section of the most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and the S-1 Registration Statement filed with the SEC. MiNK cautions investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and MiNK and Agenus with no obligation to update or revise the statements, other than to the extent required by law. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Investor Contact917-362-1370 investor@ Media Contact781-674-4428communications@ Gumpertz et al., Harnessing invariant natural killer T cells to control pathological inflammation. Frontiers. 2022. Gumpertz et al., iNKT cells coordinate immune pathways to enable engraftment in nonconditioned hosts. Life Sciences Alliance. 2021.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH warns vs. false social media posts on mpox, 'lockdowns'
An undated colorized transmission electron micrograph of mpox virus particles (pink) found within an infected cell (yellow), cultured in the laboratory, captured at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. NIAID/ Handout via REUTERS The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday warned the public against misleading social media posts on the transmission of monkeypox (mpox) and that supposed lockdowns have been implemented in the country to contain the virus. DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Dr. Albert Domingo asked the public to reject such information, stressing that mpox numbers in May have actually declined compared to cases logged in April 2025. "Huwag paniwalaan ang mga kumakalat na pekeng Facebook post na may mapanlinlang na marketing strategy, pekeng endorsement mula sa mga eksperto, at hindi makatotohanang mga pahayag tungkol sa kalusugan," Domingo said in an audio statement. (Do not believe fake Facebook posts making rounds on the internet that use deceptive marketing strategies, fake endorsements from experts, and false health claims.) Domingo added that there was no need to implement any lockdown, since mpox is not spread through air particles. "Walang pangangailangang magkaroon ng lockdown dahil sa mpox, dahil hindi ito airborne (There is no need for a lockdown due to mpox because it is not airborne)," Domingo said. According to Domingo, the DOH has coordinated with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to take down the misleading accounts. In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday, Domingo said the wearing of face masks—as imposed by some local government units (LGUs)—will not prevent the spread of mpox because the virus is transmitted through skin to skin or close contact. Local government units may coordinate with the DOH, Domingo said, to check the precautions needed to the transmission of diseases. Allaying fears of a rising trend, Domingo said mpox cases were higher in 2024, and that the figure for May 2025 was lower compared to April 2025. The fight against mpox has gained traction, Domingo said, as several LGUs have stepped up their efforts. "Nagkataon lamang po na nage-headline dahil aktibo at nag-a-anunsyo na ngayon ang mga LGU," Domingo said. (It just so happened that it's making headlines now because LGUs have become more active and have been issuing announcements.) According to the DOH, the country has yet to detect a case of the more severe mpox clade 1B. "Wala pa ring mpox ng clade 1B na nakikita dito sa Pilipinas. Panay clade 2 ang meron natin. Mas mababa ang mortality o pagkamatay ng clade 2. Nasa mga 1 sa bawat 10, kumpara sa 4 hanggang 5 ng clade 1B," Domingo said. (We have not detected any clade 1B mpox cases in the Philippines. What we have are clade 2 cases, which have a lower mortality rate of about 1 out of 10. In comparison, deaths from clade 1B are about 4 or 5 [out of 10.]) He advised the public to get accurate health information from the DOH website and social media accounts. Also in his interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Domingo said over 50 mpox cases were recorded in April, as compared to less than 50 this May. He added that some previously reported mpox cases were later verified to be chicken pox. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump signs executive orders bolstering nuclear industry, domestic uranium mining
President Donald Trump signed several executive orders (EOs) on nuclear energy proliferation and an order removing political considerations from public-sector science, as conservatives claimed the latter was scandalized in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump also signed restoring "gold standard science" as the cornerstone of federal research. At the White House, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said America led the postwar world on "all things nuclear" until we "stagnated" and "choked it with overregulation." "We're going to have the lights on and AI operating when others are not because of our nuclear capabilities," added Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. A senior White House official said on Friday there has been a decline in "disruptive research" and investments in biomedical research, along with "serious cases" of fraud and misconduct and the inability to reproduce scientific methods for the purpose of restoring public trust. The official also blamed policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and "woke DEI initiatives" for endangering the public's trust in government scientists. Read On The Fox News App Chinese Solar Tech Poses Chilling Threat To Us Electric Grid, Lawmakers Warn Now-retired NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci was repeatedly denounced for flip-flopping and obfuscating during his time engineering the federal response to COVID-19, leading many particularly on the right to disregard and dismiss the legitimacy of federal health authorities outright. That order cites the fact the Biden administration included political edits from teachers unions in school-reopening guidance, instead of leading with any scientific evidence. The order will enforce "gold standard science," defined as reproducible, transparent and falsifiable – as well as being subject to peer review and making sure that scientists are not discouraged from discovering outcomes that run counter to a narrative. In terms of nuclear energy, one order will reform nuclear R&D at the Energy Department, accelerate reactor testing at national labs and establish a pilot program for new construction. Trump Admin Hits Bullseye With First Us Mine For Key Mineral Energy Secretary Chris Wright previously told Fox News Digital that revitalizing and highlighting the work of U.S. national labs is paramount to his agenda. In a move that appears to support Wright's push for nuclear power, Trump will sign an order aimed at advancing new reactor construction on public lands. Chris Wright Confirmed Secretary Of Energy A senior White House official cited the importance of that type of reliable power-source for critical defense facilities and AI data centers. Another order being signed Friday will overhaul the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to require it to rule on reactor license applications within 18 months. Only two new nuclear reactors have begun construction and entered into commercial operation since the Carter administration. A typically risk-averse culture that requires, for example, nuclear facilities to emit as little radiation as possible, including below naturally-occurring levels, which critics said has hindered the NRC from licensing new reactors as technology begets safer and cheaper means of production. The orders will also seek to raise nuclear energy capacity from 100 gigawatts (GW) to 400 GW within 25 years. Another order will establish a vision to mine and enrich uranium within the U.S., decreasing another avenue of foreign reliance – and "reinvigorate" the nuclear fuel cycle. "That means America will start mining and enriching uranium and expanding domestic uranium conversion and enrichment capacity," a senior White House official said. Trump is expected to leverage the Defense Production Act – which last helped secure COVID-19 paraphernalia like masks and ventilators – to seek agreements with domestic nuclear energy companies for the procurement of enriched uranium, as well as finding ways to manage spent nuke fuel. Nuclear energy, the White House said in the order, "is necessary to power the next generation technologies that secure our global industrial, digital, and economic dominance, achieve energy independence, and protect our national security." Joe Dominguez, of Constellation Energy; one of the stakeholders in the orders, said nuclear energy is a "24/7 resource." "These data centers run 24/7 00 some of them will cost $200-300 billion, …[so] we can't use intermittent resources," Dominguez said. "If you can't get the plant on, you can't get revenue." One of the orders also creates a special U.S. envoy for nuclear experts. In the midst of applying his signature, Trump quipped, "could I use an auto-pen… what did Biden do?"Original article source: Trump signs executive orders bolstering nuclear industry, domestic uranium mining
Fox News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump signs executive orders bolstering nuclear industry, domestic uranium mining
President Donald Trump signed several executive orders (EOs) on nuclear energy proliferation and an order removing political considerations from public-sector science, as conservatives claimed the latter was scandalized in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump also signed restoring "gold standard science" as the cornerstone of federal research. A senior White House official said on Friday there has been a decline in "disruptive research" and investments in biomedical research, along with "serious cases" of fraud and misconduct and the inability to reproduce scientific methods for the purpose of restoring public trust. The official also blamed policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and "woke DEI initiatives" for endangering the public's trust in government scientists. Now-retired NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci was repeatedly denounced for flip-flopping and obfuscating during his time engineering the federal response to COVID-19, leading many particularly on the right to disregard and dismiss the legitimacy of federal health authorities outright. That order cites the fact the Biden administration included political edits from teachers unions in school-reopening guidance, instead of leading with any scientific evidence. The order will enforce "gold standard science," defined as reproducible, transparent and falsifiable – as well as being subject to peer review and making sure that scientists are not discouraged from discovering outcomes that run counter to a narrative. In terms of nuclear energy, one order will reform nuclear R&D at the Energy Department, accelerate reactor testing at national labs and establish a pilot program for new construction. Energy Secretary Chris Wright previously told Fox News Digital that revitalizing and highlighting the work of U.S. national labs is paramount to his agenda. In a move that appears to support Wright's push for nuclear power, Trump will sign an order aimed at advancing new reactor construction on public lands. A senior White House official cited the importance of that type of reliable power-source for critical defense facilities and AI data centers. Another order being signed Friday will overhaul the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to require it to rule on reactor license applications within 18 months. Only two new nuclear reactors have begun construction and entered into commercial operation since the Carter administration. A typically risk-averse culture that requires, for example, nuclear facilities to emit as little radiation as possible, including below naturally-occurring levels, which critics said has hindered the NRC from licensing new reactors as technology begets safer and cheaper means of production. The orders will also seek to raise nuclear energy capacity from 100 gigawatts (GW) to 400 GW within 25 years. Another order will establish a vision to mine and enrich uranium within the U.S., decreasing another avenue of foreign reliance – and "reinvigorate" the nuclear fuel cycle. "That means America will start mining and enriching uranium and expanding domestic uranium conversion and enrichment capacity," a senior White House official said. Trump is expected to leverage the Defense Production Act – which last helped secure COVID-19 paraphernalia like masks and ventilators – to seek agreements with domestic nuclear energy companies for the procurement of enriched uranium, as well as finding ways to manage spent nuke fuel. Nuclear energy, the White House said in the order, is "is necessary to power the next generation technologies that secure our global industrial, digital, and economic dominance, achieve energy independence, and protect our national security."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anthony Fauci not charged with negligent homicide in New Zealand
Anthony Fauci not charged with negligent homicide in New Zealand Former White House coronavirus advisor Anthony Fauci has not been charged with negligent homicide in New Zealand, the country's police told AFP, dismissing rumours circulating online. False posts further allege Fauci is facing arrest warrants in 14 other nations, but his name did not appear on Interpol's list of wanted persons as of May 6, 2025 . "BOOM!!! GLOBAL HUNT LAUNCHED: NEW ZEALAND CHARGES FAUCI WITH 107,357 COUNTS OF NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE," reads an April 21 Facebook post from a New Zealand-based user. Screenshot of the false Facebook post taken May 6, 2025 The post goes on to say 14 nations "have issued international arrest warrants" for Fauci, including Brazil, South Africa, Italy, Hungary and the Philippines. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "He's now viewed as the mastermind of medical tyranny. His fingerprints are on lockdowns, forced injections, censorship, and mass psychological warfare. Now, he's facing the fire." The same claim proliferated across social media in Slovakia, Hungary and Croatia in early April 2025. Many posts circulated among users in the United States. Fauci, an American immunologist who served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases between 1984 and 2022, came to wider attention at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, when he was appointed to the White House coronavirus task force during the first term of US President Donald Trump (archived link). After Joe Biden took office in January 2021, Fauci was appointed as his chief medical advisor before stepping down in 2022 (archived link). ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement He advocated measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing to prevent the spread of Covid-19, making him a target of misinformation and harassment (archived link). Contrary to the viral Facebook posts, Fauci has not been charged in New Zealand, nor have any of the countries mentioned issued international arrest warrants for him. 'Obviously not correct' A keyword search found the claim appears to have originated from an article published April 6, 2025 on the conspiratorial website AMG-News, which has previously promoted misinformation. However, the article does not cite any sources from New Zealand or the other countries mentioned in the social media posts. Screenshot of the false AMG-News report taken May 6, 2025 A New Zealand Police spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that Fauci was not under investigation or charged with any crime in the country. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "It is very obviously not correct," she said in an April 29, 2025 email. Fauci's name does not appear on the regularly updated Red Notice list from Interpol, which organises police cooperation between 196 member countries (archived link). AFP also found no mention of Fauci's indictment through advanced searches on the websites of the justice and police ministries for Brazil, South Africa, Italy, Hungary and the Philippines. Misinformation target AFP contacted Fauci and the press office at Georgetown University, where he works as a professor, for comment (archived link). A response was not forthcoming. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Shortly after the false claim of an alleged indictment spread online, Fauci appeared in public in the United States on April 8 and 14 (archived links here and here). Since the beginning of his active involvement in the Covid-19 pandemic, he has faced numerous political attacks and calls for investigation from Republican officials. Hours before the end of his term, outgoing president Biden granted Fauci a pre-emptive pardon to shield him from "politically motivated prosecutions" (archived link). AFP has fact-checked other misinformation about Fauci here and here.
