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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
At the WBUR Festival, exploring the good and bad scenarios for Massachusetts' future
On Friday morning, I had the opportunity to help kick off the inaugural WBUR Festival in Boston with a panel on 'The Future of Innovation in Massachusetts.' My panelists: Katie Rae from Engine Ventures, an MIT-affiliated venture capital firm; Julie Kim, president of the U.S. Business Unit at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, now the largest biopharma employer in Massachusetts; and Avak Kahvejian, a general partner at Flagship Pioneering, an incubator of new companies in Cambridge. The group laid out some reasons for optimism about the future of innovation in our state, and also some reasons for concern. I asked what advice they would give to parents of children who are still in school today about the job market. Rae made the case that federal research funding cuts may paradoxically stimulate innovation by pushing academic researchers to create startups and commercialize their work on a faster time frame. In the short term, 'we might get more companies because of this moment than fewer,' she said. She cited Commonwealth Fusion Systems as a prime example — it emerged from an MIT lab that had lost its funding several years ago. 'They invented the company,' she said, instead of letting the science die on the vine. Read more: MassLive's 12 innovation leaders to watch in 2025 'It's not that I'm not upset about what's happening,' Rae said, 'but I do think really good things are going to come out of it.' But over the long term, she acknowledged, 'we're going to get fewer [companies] because there's less funding.' Kahvejian made the case that, while national and global pressures exist, Massachusetts remains extraordinarily well-equipped to generate breakthrough innovations. Flagship Pioneering, where he is a general partner, raised a $3.6 billion fund last year — its largest ever — to invent and launch new biotech companies. Kahvejian noted the state has shown resilience in the past: Many big names of the 20th century, such as Polaroid and Lotus Development Corp., have vanished, but new companies have emerged and grown. Rae offered hope that even in a divided Washington, supporting technology development in areas like advanced chips and energy production has bipartisan support. 'No matter what party you're in, you're going to want to fund the things that are fundamental to long-term economic prosperity and security,' she said. Rae was encouraged that Harvard University is standing up to pressure from the Trump administration, despite efforts to block the school's enrollment of international students and to eliminate essentially all federal funding of research there. Of Harvard President Alan Garber, she said: 'He's doing all those things and actually gaining a lot of support, right? He got a standing ovation at Harvard [graduation] yesterday.' Is there a way for Harvard to emerge victorious in the tangle with Trump and various federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security? 'I think Harvard is winning in a lot of ways,' Rae said. 'They're winning in different court battles. And I think long-term, they will prevail. There's great research there. It's an institution that the U.S. should be proud of, and is proud of, and produces so many of our great leaders ...' Kim sounded the alarm about China's scientific momentum. 'There are now 30% of the original publications [in the journal Science] coming from Chinese labs. The U.S. is now at 30%. The number is declining for the U.S., and it's increasing for China, so ... it's no longer a copycat economy.] There's innovation coming from that country,' she said. Kahvejian pointed to investor hesitation caused by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's inconsistency and volatile stock markets. With regards to the FDA drug approval process, he said that some biotech companies are reporting delays and 'strange responses' — but it's not universal. Kim and Kahvejian both expressed concern about a broader societal drift away from believing in science and supporting scientific research. Kahvejian said that echo chambers, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and misinformation are amplifying anti-science sentiment. 'We need to talk about how this stuff works,' he said, calling for better science education and public engagement. Rae echoed this, warning that resentment of elites and academia is feeding distrust and division. Kahvejian warned that the federal government's wavering stance on vaccines is damaging long-term public health preparedness and also investment in that industry sector. 'We've gone back the other way, almost worse than we were before [COVID], where vaccines are seen as a bad thing,' he said. Kim emphasized that the rapid pace of change makes it impossible to prescribe a single career path. Instead, she advises her own children to lead with intrinsic motivation: 'Pursue your passions,' she said. In her view, the key is not locking into one trajectory, but embracing a mindset of continuous learning and flexibility. In a world where entire industries can emerge or transform within 18 months, passion becomes a compass — guiding students to stay engaged and resilient as the landscape shifts. Kahvejian took that one step further, recommending that students follow not just their passion, but their curiosity, especially across disciplinary boundaries. 'Pursue your curiosity almost more than necessarily your passion,' he advised, warning against rigid academic silos. A student who majors in chemistry but ignores developments in AI or statistics risks becoming obsolete, he said. 'You will be pigeonholed, and you will end up marginalized.' Rae argued that foundational technical skills are as vital as ever. 'Don't be afraid of hard sciences. It is so fundamental to the future,' she said, referring to subjects like physics, biology and chemistry. At the same time, she encouraged students to embrace AI as a partner, not a threat: 'AI is your friend.' She also highlighted the importance of forming relationships with other curious, driven people. 'Cultivate friendships. Cultivate other curious people,' she said. Kim underscored that opportunity doesn't always require a four-year degree. She highlighted work with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to create 'alternate pathways' into biotech and related fields for students pursuing vocational routes. 'There are a lot of things you can do in manufacturing, as well as on the administrative side — marketing, sales, etc.,' she said. Hidden in plain sight: Trump's enduring mark on Massachusetts Waymo's driverless taxis will face some unique obstacles in Boston MassLive's 12 innovation leaders to watch in 2025 New head of $100M AI hub says Massachusetts' strengths shouldn't be a 'best-kept secret' Read the original article on MassLive.
Reuters
21-05-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Health Rounds: Older diabetes drugs appear to slow prostate cancer in small study
May 21 (Reuters) - (This is an excerpt of the Health Rounds newsletter, where we present latest medical studies on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To receive the full newsletter in your inbox for free, sign up here.) A class of older drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes may also help slow the progression of prostate cancer, a small study suggests. Prostate cancer patients with diabetes who were receiving a class of medications called thiazolidinediones, or TZDs, that target the protein PPAR-gamma, 'remained relapse-free during the period we followed them," study leader Dr. Lukas Kenner of Umea University in Sweden said in a statement. "This is a significant discovery.' By targeting PPAR-gamma, the drugs help the body use insulin more effectively, reducing blood sugar levels. It has also been reported that PPAR-gamma can contribute to tumor growth and worse outcomes in some types of cancer. Tracking 69 patients who underwent surgery for localized prostate cancer, including 49 with diabetes, the researchers found that 10 years later, the only ones remaining free of biochemical recurrence – that is, a rise in PSA levels without any other signs or symptoms - were the three with diabetes who had been taking PPAR-gamma-targeting TZDs. In test tube experiments, researchers saw that the drug pioglitazone, sold as Actos by Takeda Pharmaceuticals (4502.T), opens new tab, not only inhibited prostate cancer cell division and growth but also drove a metabolic reprogramming of the cancer cells, weakening their ability to survive and spread. 'Our findings position pioglitazone and similar metabolic inhibitors at the forefront of emerging therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer,' the researchers concluded in a report published in Molecular Cancer, opens new tab. However, they noted that larger, long-term studies are needed to fully determine the impact of TZDs "on the development and progression of prostate cancer and patient survival.' A new study of women with breast cancer found that patients of African or South Asian ancestry have important genetic differences that are not seen in those of European descent, which should be taken into consideration when diagnosing and treating their disease. People of European ancestry have accounted for nearly 80% of participants in genetic association studies, despite representing only 16% of the global population, which means most of what is known about risk, prevention, and treatment is based predominantly on European populations, the researchers said. 'Precision medicine has the power to revolutionize cancer care, but only if it works for everyone,' study leader Dr. Claude Chelala of Queen Mary's Barts Cancer Institute in the UK said in a statement. As reported on Tuesday in Nature Communications, opens new tab, researchers analyzed genetic data and medical records from over 7,000 U.S. and UK women with breast cancer of African, South Asian and European ancestry. They found that patients of African or South Asian ancestry tend to develop breast cancer and die at a younger age than women of European ancestry, suggesting that screening should start at earlier ages in these women. Women of South Asian backgrounds died 13 years younger and those of African ancestry 9 years younger, researchers found. Their study also identified differences in mutation rates in genes linked to breast cancer susceptibility, which are used in genetic testing and influence treatment decisions. Some women had genetic mutations that could have made their cancer resistant to certain treatments that they received, but this was not factored into their clinical management. 'If we fail to address blind spots in research, we risk widening health inequalities rather than reducing them,' Chelala said. Standard tools for diagnosing delirium in the intensive care unit are inaccurate in Spanish-speaking patients, researchers reported, opens new tab at the American Thoracic Society 2025 International Conference, opens new tab in San Francisco. Dr. Ana Lucia Fuentes Baldarrago of the University of California, San Diego undertook the study when she found Spanish-speaking ICU patients who were classified as not delirious showed clear signs of delirium when engaged in Spanish. She had also encountered patients labeled as delirious who were simply unable to communicate effectively because they did not speak English. In 63 ICU patients – 29 Spanish-speakers and 34 English-speakers – her team compared three delirium assessment tools. Two are administered by providers: the English-language Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) for the ICU, and a Spanish-language version of the same tool. The third tool was a new version of the Spanish-language tool designed by the researchers for family caregivers to complete. While the Spanish CAM is the gold-standard assessment for Spanish-speaking patients when administered by a Spanish-speaking provider, there are not enough bilingual providers available to administer it in the United States. Traditional screening methods were not accurate in Spanish-speaking ICU patients when the patient and provider did not speak the same language, the researchers found. Their new Spanish assessment for families to complete was comparable to gold-standard assessments and outperformed usual screening practices in detecting delirium. 'These findings underscore the urgent need to evaluate commonly used clinical tools in diverse populations, particularly among non-English-speaking patients who are frequently excluded from clinical trials,' Fuentes Baldarrago said Spanish-speaking patients also had significantly higher odds of being subjected to physical restraints and deep sedation, and lower odds of receiving evidence-based, delirium-prevention interventions such as physical and occupational therapy, Fuentes Baldarrago said. Her team hopes to conduct larger studies of their tool for families to evaluate whether its use can reduce misclassification and improve clinical outcomes. (To receive the full Health Rounds newsletter in your inbox for free sign up here)
Nikkei Asia
08-05-2025
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Takeda Pharmaceutical to invest $30bn in US over 5 years: CEO
TAITO KUROSE and HINAKO BANNO TOKYO -- Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceuticals will invest $30 billion in the U.S. over the next five years, CEO Christophe Weber said Thursday, with the money going toward both manufacturing facilities and research and development. A string of major pharmaceutical makers around the world have come out with plans to invest in the U.S. after the Trump administration said that it was considering tariffs on drugs and medical products.
Malaysian Reserve
23-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Market Poised for Expansion Across the 7MM During the Forecast Period (2025-2034) as Breakthrough Therapies Gain Traction
The metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) market is experiencing significant growth, driven by advancements in targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and personalized medicine. The increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer, along with growing awareness of early diagnosis and treatment options, is fueling demand for innovative treatments. LAS VEGAS, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most prevalent cancer, with metastasis being the leading cause of mortality among affected patients. The liver and peritoneum are the most frequent sites of distant spread. For most individuals, metastatic CRC (mCRC) remains largely incurable, with common metastatic locations including the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and peritoneum. Seen in approximately 45% CRC patients, KRAS mutations significantly influence the prognosis and treatment outcomes. These mutations are associated with a more aggressive disease course, resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies, and overall poorer survival rates. In 2024, the incidence of metastatic colorectal cancer was around 294K cases across the seven major markets, with the United States reporting the highest incidence. This number is expected to rise by 2034. Surgical intervention is the mainstay for resectable CRC, while unresectable cases are typically managed with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. These conventional therapies, however, often lack specificity and can harm healthy cells, leading to additional health complications. The treatment paradigm for mCRC involves multiple lines of therapy. First-line (1L) metastatic colorectal cancer treatments include combination chemotherapy regimens such as FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, and CAPEOX, alongside anti-angiogenic agents and targeted therapies like VECTIBIX and ERBITUX, with or without chemotherapy. KEYTRUDA and BRAFTOVI (in combination with ERBITUX and mFOLFOX6) are also approved for use in the first line. In the second-line (2L) setting, treatment options expand to include OPDIVO (± YERVOY), JEMPERLI, TUKYSA (± Trastuzumab), LONSURF (± Bevacizumab), and KRAZATI plus ERBITUX. For third-line (3L) therapy, specific agents such as STIVARGA and FRUZAQLA are utilized. Learn more about the metastatic colorectal cancer treatment landscape @ Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Drugs Market FRUZAQLA (fruquintinib) is a once-daily oral capsule developed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It is a kinase inhibitor approved for adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have previously been treated with chemotherapy regimens including fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan, as well as anti-VEGF therapy and, for RAS wild-type patients, anti-EGFR therapy. FRUZAQLA works by selectively targeting and inhibiting VEGFR-1, -2, and -3, thereby disrupting VEGF-driven blood vessel formation and tumor growth. The FDA approved FRUZAQLA for previously treated mCRC in November 2023, followed by the European Commission in June 2024, and Japan in September 2024—marking it as the first new targeted therapy for mCRC in more than ten years in the Japanese market. OPDIVO QVANTIG (nivolumab and hyaluronidase-nvhy) is indicated for adult patients with MSI-H or dMMR mCRC that has progressed after prior treatment with fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. It can be used as a standalone treatment or following prior combination therapy with intravenous nivolumab and ipilimumab. This drug works by blocking the PD-1 receptor, preventing its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2 to boost immune system activity against cancer cells. In December 2024, the FDA approved OPDIVO QVANTIG as a subcutaneous injection for mCRC, making it the first PD-1 inhibitor available in this form. This new route of administration offers quicker treatment delivery—just 3 to 5 minutes—compared to the traditional 30-minute intravenous infusion of OPDIVO. To know more about metastatic colorectal cancer treatments, visit @ Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Aggressive Treatment Despite several advancements, the metastatic colorectal cancer drug market remains highly competitive, with significant unmet needs for durable and long-term treatment responses. Ongoing research into investigational agents like amivantamab, zanzalintinib, and vactosertib highlights the push for more effective, resistance-targeting, and tumor microenvironment-modifying therapies, signaling a dynamic and evolving future for mCRC treatment. Key companies such as Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inspirna, Treos Bio, Cardiff Oncology, Agenus, Leap Therapeutics, Arcus Biosciences, Enterome, Tizona Therapeutics, Innovative Cellular Therapeutics, and others are currently active in the metastatic colorectal cancer drug market. Discover which therapies are expected to grab major metastatic colorectal cancer drug market share @ Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Market Report Amivantamab is a bispecific antibody designed to target specific genetic alterations, especially EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations. Its dual mechanism focuses on inhibiting both the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and the MET receptor—two key players in cancer cell growth and survival. By binding to these receptors, amivantamab interferes with their signaling pathways, helping to overcome resistance that tumors often develop to other treatments. This dual targeting not only suppresses tumor cell growth but also enhances the body's immune response, leading to greater cancer cell destruction. The drug is currently in Phase III clinical trials for treating metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Zanzalintinib (XL-092) is a third-generation oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks several cancer-related receptor tyrosine kinases, including VEGF receptors, MET, AXL, and MER. These kinases play a role in normal cell function as well as pathological processes like cancer development, metastasis, angiogenesis, and resistance to therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Developed by Exelixis, Zanzalintinib builds on the company's experience with cabozantinib, aiming to improve attributes like pharmacokinetic half-life. It is also in Phase III clinical trials for mCRC. DKN-01 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the DKK1 protein and is being developed for treating esophagogastric, gynecologic, and colorectal cancers. Initial findings from Part A of the DeFianCe trial were shared at the 2024 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. Enrollment for Part B of the DeFianCe trial (NCT05480306) concluded in September 2024. This Phase II, randomized, open-label, controlled study is assessing DKN-01 in combination with bevacizumab and chemotherapy as a second-line treatment for advanced colorectal cancer in patients previously treated with one systemic therapy. The study enrolled 188 patients, with early results anticipated by mid-2025. Discover more about drugs for metastatic colorectal cancer in development @ Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Clinical Trials The anticipated launch of these emerging metastatic colorectal cancer treatments are poised to transform the market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the metastatic colorectal cancer market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth. DelveInsight estimates that the market size for metastatic colorectal cancer in the 7MM is expected to grow from USD 13 billion in 2024 with a significant CAGR by 2034. This growth is fueled by advancements in precision medicine, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies, which have shown promise in improving patient outcomes. DelveInsight's latest published market report titled as Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Market Insight, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 will help you to discover which market leader is going to capture the largest market share. The report provides comprehensive insights into the metastatic colorectal cancer country-specific treatment guidelines, patient pool analysis, and epidemiology forecast to help understand the key opportunities and assess the market's underlying potential. The metastatic colorectal cancer market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020–2034 in the 7MM, segmented into: Total Incident Cases of CRC Gender-specific Cases of CRC Age-specific Cases of CRC Tumor Location-specific Cases of CRC Stage-specific Cases of CRC Total Incident Cases of mCRC Mutation Type-specific Cases of mCRC Total Treated Cases of mCRC by Line of Therapy The report provides an edge while developing business strategies by understanding trends shaping and driving the 7MM metastatic colorectal cancer market. Highlights include: 10-year Forecast 7MM Analysis Epidemiology-based Market Forecasting Historical and Forecasted Market Analysis upto 2034 Emerging Drug Market Uptake Peak Sales Analysis Key Cross Competition Analysis Industry Expert's Opinion Access and Reimbursement Download this metastatic colorectal cancer market report to assess the epidemiology forecasts, understand the patient journeys, know KOLs' opinions about the upcoming treatment paradigms, and determine the factors contributing to the shift in the metastatic colorectal cancer market. Also, stay abreast of the mitigating factors to improve your market position in the metastatic colorectal cancer therapeutic space. Related Reports Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Pipeline Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Pipeline Insight – 2025 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key metastatic colorectal cancer companies, including Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Eisai Inc., Treos Bio, AUM Biosciences, Leap Therapeutics, Inc., Hoffmann-La Roche, Replimune, Qilu Pharmaceutical, Lutris Pharma, Ipsen, Bold Therapeutics, Pacylex Pharmaceuticals, FivepHusion, SystImmune, Inspirna, Inc., Sapience Therapeutics, Exelixis, Daiichi Sankyo, Hutchmed, Merus N.V., REVOLUTION Medicines, Pure Tech Health, Medicenna Therapeutics, Inc., Verastem Inc., Next Cure Inc., Isofol Medical, Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Oncoinvent, KaryoPharm Therapeutics, Aadi Biosciences, among others. Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Market Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key metastatic colorectal cancer companies, including Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inspirna, Treos Bio, Cardiff Oncology, Agenus, Leap Therapeutics, Arcus Biosciences, Enterome, Tizona Therapeutics, Innovative Cellular Therapeutics, among others. Colorectal Cancer Market Colorectal Cancer Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key colorectal cancer companies, including Mirati Therapeutics, Exelixis, Enterome, Arcus Biosciences, Lyell Immunopharma, AstraZeneca, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Surgimab, Numab Therapeutics, SOTIO Biotech, Amgen, Sichuan Baili Pharmaceutical, Qilu Pharmaceutical, Bristol-Myers Squibb, NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Takeda, PureTech, Pfizer, Kezar Life Sciences, Salubris Biotherapeutics, among others. Colorectal Cancer Pipeline Colorectal Cancer Pipeline Insight – 2025 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key colorectal cancer companies, including Exelixis, Mirati Therapeutics, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Inspirna, Lyell Immunopharma, Genentech, Cantargia AB, Arcus Biosciences, Inc, Neogap Therapeutics AB, Criterium, Inc, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celyad Oncology SA, Pfizer, Akeso, Menarini Group, Elpiscience (Suzhou) Biopharma, Ltd., BeyondBio Inc., Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Rottapharm Biotech, Innovative Cellular Therapeutics Inc., BioNTech SE, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve. Contact Us Shruti Thakur info@ +14699457679 Logo: View original content:
