Evening Brief: DermaSensor AI Skin Cancer Detection, Simnotrelvir for COVID-19 Relief, and Discovery of Neipeiite – A Cerium-Rich Silicate Mineral

1. The First Artificial Intelligence-Driven Skin Cancer Detection Device

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first artificial intelligence-powered device: a handheld probe developed by DermaSensor that can detect whether suspicious moles, lumps, or lesions show signs of skin cancer. This non-invasive optical spectroscopy system helps identify the three most common types of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. The FDA stated that while DermaSensor itself is not a screening tool or a complete diagnostic method, doctors can use it to help decide whether to refer patients to a dermatologist. After scanning, the point-and-click AI system provides immediate results indicating either "further evaluation" or "monitoring."

2. For ordinary people hoping for relief from COVID-19, new hope has arrived!

A drug named simnotrelvir has been shown to accelerate recovery from mild to moderate illness by approximately 1.5 days. A clinical trial found that regular use of simnotrelvir effectively alleviates symptoms such as fever, cough, and runny nose, almost immediately taking effect after administration. Researchers combined simnotrelvir with ritonavir (which can limit the breakdown of simnotrelvir) and tested this combination in over 600 individuals with a median age of 35, about half of whom had at least one risk factor for severe illness, such as obesity. By the fifth day of treatment, the viral load in patients taking simnotrelvir was approximately 30 times lower than in those taking a placebo. The study results indicate that simnotrelvir can expedite recovery in standard-risk populations. The findings were published inNew England Journal of Medicine》Above.

3. Henan Discovers the Cerium-Richest Silicate Mineral, Ni Pei Stone

On January 19, the China Geological Survey of the Ministry of Natural Resources announced that a new mineral discovered in a rare earth mine in Henan, China, has officially passed the approval of the International Mineralogical Association and was named Nipelite. This new mineral holds significant scientific value in the field of new materials. The newly discovered mineral, named Nipelite, was found in the Taiping Town rare earth mine in Henan Province. It is light red to reddish-brown in color and is currently the silicate mineral with the highest cerium content found in nature. It was named after Professor Ni Pei, a geologist from China.

4. Johnson & Johnson announces approximately $2 billion acquisition of Ambrx to drive the revolution of next-generation antibody-drug conjugates in cancer treatment

Johnson & Johnson recently announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Ambrx Biopharma. Under the all-cash transaction terms, Johnson & Johnson will acquire Ambrx at an equity value of approximately $2 billion, with an expected net cash acquisition value of about $1.9 billion. This planned acquisition provides Johnson & Johnson with a unique opportunity to design, develop, and commercialize tumor-targeted therapies. Ambrx's proprietary ADC technology combines the advantages of highly specific targeting monoclonal antibodies, enabling successful conjugation of chemotherapeutic drug payloads to achieve efficient targeted elimination of cancer cells while avoiding common side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy. Building on Johnson & Johnson's innovative achievements in oncology and prostate cancer, Johnson & Johnson scientists will collaborate with Ambrx researchers to accelerate the Phase 1/2 APEX-01 study (NCT04662580) of ARX517 for advanced prostate cancer, while advancing the development of a pipeline of novel ADC candidates.

5. Yingshu Life Completes Over 100 Million Yuan in Series A Financing, Led by Weigao Songyuan Fund

Recently, Hangzhou YingShu Life Technology Co., Ltd. ("YingShu Life") announced the completion of an over RMB 100 million Series A strategic financing round, led by Weigao Songyuan Fund with Longpan Investment participating. Following this round of financing, the company will further expand its rigid endoscope and disposable endoscope product portfolio and accelerate the globalization of its sales channels.

Established in 2021, Inscope Medical is a medical device company engaged in the research and development, production, and sales of high-end medical endoscopic systems and related innovative products. The company’s product portfolio includes minimally invasive rigid endoscope systems, optical rigid endoscopes, disposable electronic endoscopes, and high-value consumables related to endoscopy, with applications covering general surgery, urology, gynecology, gastroenterology, respiratory medicine, and more. Inscope Medical is one of the few companies in China that simultaneously masters the core "bottleneck" technologies for both rigid endoscopes and disposable flexible endoscopes. Leveraging this advantage, the company continuously launches unique and scarce products and solutions, with several key products expected to be launched globally in the future.

6. AI Empowers the Future Development of Pharmacy: The Release of the "Digital Qihuang" Large Model for Traditional Chinese Medicine

On January 19, the Forum on the Future Development of Pharmacy Industry-Academia-Research under AI Empowerment and the Conference on the Development of East China Normal University's Pharmacy Discipline were held in Dalinghao Bay, Minhang District, Shanghai. The "Digital Intelligence Qihuang" Large Model of Traditional Chinese Medicine was released at the conference.

The "Digital Wisdom Qihuang" Large Model of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), jointly developed by key national laboratories including East China Normal University, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, East China University of Science and Technology, Naval Medical University, and Lingang Laboratory, is based on core data from TCM classics such as *The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon* and *Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases*, along with more than 1,000 ancient texts and TCM literature. Utilizing a high-quality TCM knowledge graph as its knowledge repository, the model employs pre-training and fine-tuning techniques combined with retrieval-augmented generation and plugin invocation technologies. Through functions like prescription recommendation, interpretation of medicinal properties, and syndrome differentiation support, it achieves three core functionalities: intelligent Q&A for TCM knowledge, health consultation, and dynamic interaction with TCM knowledge graphs. This supports innovation research and talent cultivation in TCM, clinical decision-making assistance, and TCM health preservation.

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