China Achieves First Successful Treatment of Critically Burned Patient with Multi-Gene Edited Pig Skin; Academic Misconduct Allegations Surface in U.S. Alzheimer's Research

Oct 24, 2023 19:58 CST Updated 19:58

Ensem Therapeutics

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1. First Case in China! Successful Treatment of Severe Burn Patients with Multi-Gene Edited Pig Skin

On October 19, reporters learned from Xijing Hospital of the Air Force Medical University that under the guidance of Academician Kefeng Dou of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the hospital has made a significant breakthrough in clinical research on xenotransplantation. They successfully transplanted multi-gene edited pig skin to a patient with extremely severe burns, achieving favorable results and marking an important step forward in advancing xenotransplantation research into clinical practice. After a thorough literature search, no similar reports have been found.

2. Latest research discovers new imaging biomarkers, potentially aiding early identification of high-risk Alzheimer's patients

Chinese Medical Experts Collaborate with International Multicenter, Multidisciplinary Teams to Reveal Genetic Mechanisms of Ventricular Morphology in Brain Disease Development. They Are the First to Identify Increased Volume of the Inferior Horn of the Lateral Ventricle as a Heritable Imaging Marker for Alzheimer's Disease, Allowing Early Prediction of Alzheimer’s Disease Risk.It is reported that the research results are expected to assist clinicians in early identification of high-risk Alzheimer's patients, enabling early intervention and improving patients' quality of life.The research team led by Professor Yu Jintai from the Department of Neurology at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, published this study in the latest issue of the international academic journal *Nature Human Behaviour*.It is reported that their research, based on the genetic and neuroimaging data of over 60,000 participants in five cohorts covering the entire life cycle, has elucidated the genetic architecture influencing ventricular morphology.

3. Biotech Company Ensem Therapeutics Announces Completion of Series A+ Financing

On October 23, 2023, Ensem Therapeutics, an AI biotechnology company, announced the completion of its Series A+ financing round, bringing in several well-known technology, healthcare, and strategic investment institutions, including Legend Star, Boquan Capital, and Magnesium Robotics. The funds raised in this round will continue to be used for the development of the Kinetic Ensemble® platform and pipeline advancement. It is reported that ENSEM was founded in 2021 by CBC Group along with Dr. Shengfang Jin, a scientist in the fields of life sciences and pharmaceuticals. The company's core mission is to address the real pain points in industries such as pharmaceuticals during this era of technological turning points—marked by advancements like Alphafold2 and cutting-edge technologies (e.g., multidimensional NMR dynamic analysis)—by applying transformative deep learning models and techniques to analyze the structure and motion of biomacromolecules, fundamentally empowering innovative drug discovery.

4. Twenty papers by scholars from prestigious universities are suspected of fabrication, and the related drugs have already been used in human trials!

Recently, a high-profile investigation was launched by the City University of New York: Professor Hoau-Yan Wang (translated by sound, Hoau-Yan Wang), a neurobiologist at the university, has been accused of academic misconduct in 20 papers, including image and data fabrication.Wang Houyan's long-term collaborators include a biotechnology company named Cassava Sciences, which is dedicated to developing scientific methods for the treatment and detection of Alzheimer's disease. A 50-page investigative report stated that Wang Houyan was unwilling to submit any data or materials to respond to the allegations, which was described as "frustrating." As a result, the investigative committee found no evidence of academic misconduct by Wang Houyan but concluded that he had seriously mishandled data management and record-keeping.

5. Janssen's HIV Therapy Rilpivirine Injection Approved in China

On October 24, 2023, the official website of China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced that the marketing application for rilpivirine injection, a new HIV drug submitted by Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), has been officially approved. Previously, the rilpivirine tablet had already been approved in China for the treatment of adult HIV-1 infection. Public information indicates that rilpivirine injection is a long-acting injectable suspension, which has been approved and marketed overseas under the brand name Rekambys. It is used in combination with cabotegravir injection for specific adult patients with HIV-1 infection. The long-acting antiretroviral therapy consisting of rilpivirine injection and cabotegravir injection is marketed overseas under the brand name Cabenuva. Cabotegravir injection (cabotegravir), developed by ViiV Healthcare, a subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), was approved in China this July.

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