Category Archives: Molecular Medicine

Good evening. Im Karen Kaplan, and its Tuesday, Sept. 20. Heres the latest on whats happening with the coronavirus in California and beyond.

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People arent dying of COVID anymore.

It may seem that way, especially when President Biden disses masks on 60 Minutes and tells a national TV audience that the pandemic is over.

But when a friend made that observation to Erick Morales recently, he begged to differ.

Morales own mother, Alejandra Gutirrez, died of COVID-19 in June at the age of 59.

Gutirrez was vaccinated and boosted. She was careful, and so were her adult children, who wore masks when they were with her and avoided social situations that might result in a coronavirus exposure.

But Gutirrez was unlucky. She came down with ovarian cancer during the first pandemic winter, and despite multiple treatments, it spread to her brain in January.

The cancer weakened her, but it wasnt what killed her. She caught COVID-19 in late May and struggled to breathe. In her final days, she lost the ability to speak.

Gutirrez was one of the more than 400 people who died of COVID-19 each day in the U.S. during June, July and August, according to data from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. Even now, with the second Omicron wave ebbing, COVID-19 is still killing an average of 425 Americans per day, the center reports.

In January 2021, when the first COVID-19 vaccines were being rolled out, the countrys daily death toll exceeded 3,300. A number like 425 is a definite improvement. But its a lot higher than the handful of cases many of us presume it to be.

For the record:

10:41 p.m. Sept. 21, 2022A previous version of this newsletter said that in January 2021, the countrys daily COVID-19 death toll exceeded 23,000. That was the weekly death toll, which averaged out to more than 3,300 deaths per day.

In fact, COVID-19 is still one of the countrys leading causes of death. As of Tuesday, it would rank fifth, between strokes (439 deaths per day) and chronic lower respiratory diseases (418 deaths per day).

If that seems hard to believe, how about this: In Los Angeles County alone, nearly 800 people died of COVID-19 between May and July. Thats roughly 60% higher than during the same three months last year, when the county recorded nearly 500 deaths.

At a time when vaccines, boosters, medications and antibody treatments are plentiful, when hospitals have the bandwidth to care for patients who are seriously ill, and when, as White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said, most COVID-19 deaths are preventable, youve got to wonder: Who is dying of COVID-19 now?

My colleagues Emily Alpert Reyes and Aida Ylanan have the answer.

It turns out that Gutirrez was a something of an anomaly. Recent COVID-19 deaths have been heavily concentrated among senior citizens.

Alejandra Morales-Gutirrez and brother Erick Morales lost their mother, Alejandra Gutirrez, to COVID-19 in June.

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

In California, about half of those who died this summer were at least 80 years old. Another third were people between the ages of 65 and 79.

Throughout California, Black residents had the highest COVID-19 death rate, pretty much regardless of age. And in L.A. County, men have been more likely to die than women.

Gutirrez was a typical COVID-19 victim in one respect: She already had a health problem that made her vulnerable to a serious case of COVID-19. For people like her, an encounter with the coronavirus can be like dry brush encountering a lit match, said Michael T. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

It doesnt cause the high temperatures, or the winds, or the low humidity, he said. But nothing happens until you throw that SARS-CoV-2 virus into the mix.

Here in L.A. County, nearly half of the people who died of COVID-19 between May and July were contending with at least three health conditions before the coronavirus came along, and almost all had at least one. Those conditions werent necessarily as serious as ovarian cancer; typical examples include obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

In addition, residents of poorer neighborhoods were more likely to die of COVID-19 than residents of wealthier ones.

But COVID-19 can kill anyone. In recent months, hundreds of young and middle-aged adults have died of the disease, as have four minors. And so have 412 Californians over the age of 12 who were vaccinated (including 260 who were also boosted), although they represent less than 0.01% of state residents whove gotten the shots.

The Omicron variant especially the BA.5 subvariant has been infecting so many people that youve surely encountered tons of people whove recently recovered from a bout with COVID-19. More than in years past, it probably feels like COVID-19 survivors are everywhere. And they are.

But the number of infections is so high that even with a low mortality rate, the death count is still substantial. Its just that in a country eager to move on from the pandemic and stop thinking about things such as masks and booster shots, these deaths arent getting the attention they deserve.

The elderly, the immunocompromised, and the unvaccinated or under-vaccinated they are the ones that account for the vast majority of deaths due to COVID-19, said Dr. Thomas Yadegar, medical director of the intensive care unit at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center.

Weve sacrificed the lives of our most vulnerable for our own convenience, he said.

California cases and deaths as of 4:55 p.m. on Tuesday:

Track Californias coronavirus spread and vaccination efforts including the latest numbers and how they break down with our graphics.

Its no secret that the United States had a less-than-textbook response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It turns out we had plenty of company, even among wealthy nations that were expected to be more prepared.

So says a group of experts convened by the medical journal Lancet. In a report released last week, they made it abundantly clear that they were not impressed with the worlds efforts to rise to the occasion.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates the pandemics global death toll at around 17.2 million, a staggering figure that is both a profound tragedy and a massive global failure at multiple levels, the members of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission wrote.

And theres plenty of blame to go around, they added: Too many governments have failed to adhere to basic norms of institutional rationality and transparency, too many people often influenced by misinformation have disrespected and protested against basic public health precautions, and the worlds major powers have failed to collaborate to control the pandemic.

That failure to collaborate came in many forms, the commission members wrote. It started with Chinas delay in notifying the world about the patients in Wuhan who had come down with a mysterious type of pneumonia that wasnt caused by any known virus. It continued with multiple countries failure to coordinate their efforts to contain and suppress the novel virus, or to figure out what those efforts ought to entail.

Wealthy countries didnt do enough to ensure that low- and middle-income countries had the money they needed to procure personal protective equipment, ventilators, test kits and other necessary supplies. And when there were limited supplies of medicines and vaccines, rich nations did not share equally with poor ones, the report says.

Countries did not gather timely, accurate, and systematic data on infections, deaths, viral variants and other factors that would be important to know if you wanted to get a pandemic under control, the experts wrote.

The World Health Organization didnt want to get ahead of the science with good reason but it took too long to acknowledge that people with asymptomatic infections could spread the coronavirus without realizing it, and that the virus spreads mainly through the air. As a result, the WHO was slow to advocate policy responses commensurate with the actual dangers of the virus, the report says.

And no one at any level has had much success combating the extensive misinformation and disinformation campaigns on social media, the report adds.

Thats not even a complete list of the problems the Lancet commission identified.

The commission was established in July 2020 with the aim of finding ways to help countries work together more effectively. Its 28 members are experts in disciplines such as epidemiology, vaccinology, economics and public policy.

Right off the bat, the report explains that you cant suppress an infectious disease without prosociality, which means prioritizing the good of society as a whole over the interests of individuals. Unfortunately, the growing gap between the haves and have-nots in many countries has undermined any sense of collective purpose.

In the U.S. and other countries, an unwillingness to put the interests of society as a whole ahead of the interests of individuals has undermined efforts to get the pandemic under control, experts say.

(Cedar Attanasio / Associated Press)

In the United States and elsewhere, false claims about COVID-19 vaccines and debunked treatments such as ivermectin, among other things, were spread by politicians and cable television personalities for the sake of partisanship, not public health. In the U.S. alone, unfounded anti-vaccine sentiment has led to as many as 200,000 preventable deaths, and this anti-science movement has globalised with tragic consequences, the commission wrote.

We cant go back in time and do everything over. But the commission offered advice on where to go from here.

For starters, it said its not too late for countries to get serious about the basics, including mass vaccination, accessible testing, and treatment. They should be accompanied by policies that support people who need to isolate, as well as common-sense preventive measures such as mask mandates in certain settings. Most importantly, the commission wrote, these efforts should be implemented on a sustainable basis, rather than as a reactive policy that is abruptly turned on and off.

To make sure the pandemic ends as quickly as possible, countries should work together to track new coronavirus variants and quickly assess the risks they pose.

To be better prepared for the next pandemic threat, the commission advised countries to strengthen their own health systems and make sure everyone has access to medical care. In addition, they should shore up their disease surveillance and reporting systems, emphasize the importance of preventive health and emergency preparedness, improve their public health communication strategies, and more aggressively fight health disinformation, according to the report.

Countries should invest a lot more in the World Health Organization and come up with better ways to cooperate and coordinate and they should do it now so theyll be ready when the next infectious disease threat inevitably arises.

That said, countries need to work harder to prevent that next outbreak from happening, the commission said. That means they should come up with more uniform rules about the trade of both domestic and wild animals, and make sure theyre enforced. They should also give the WHO more authority to keep tabs on research programs involving dangerous pathogens to make sure that biosafety rules are followed.

Whether anyone will follow this advice remains to be seen. The commission didnt exactly strike an optimistic tone as it wrapped up its report:

The lack of ambition in the global response to COVID-19 is like that of other pressing global challenges, such as the climate emergency; the loss of global biodiversity; the pollution of air, land, and water; the persistence of extreme poverty in the midst of plenty; and the large-scale displacement of people as a result of conflicts, poverty, and environmental stress.

See the latest on Californias vaccination progress with our tracker.

Another pandemic precaution has bit the dust: As of Saturday, California no longer requires unvaccinated workers at healthcare facilities, schools and other congregate settings to get tested for coronavirus infections once a week.

Those weekly surveillance tests used to be an important part of the states pandemic response. But considering where we are in the outbreak, the tests arent nearly as useful as they once were.

Most state residents now have some immunity through vaccination or a past infection or both so they face less risk of becoming seriously ill. Plus, the Omicron subvariants spread so quickly that weekly testing isnt enough to slow it down, said Dr. Toms Aragn, director of the California Department of Public Health.

Los Angeles County may drop one of its rules by the end of the month if coronavirus case rates continue to decline. If the county sees fewer than 100 cases a week per 100,000 residents roughly 1,400 cases per day masks will no longer be required on public transportation or in hubs such as airports and train stations.

As of Tuesday, the county was averaging 1,735 cases per day over the last week, according to The Times tracker. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said we could hit the lower threshold by the end of the month.

Should that happen, the county would also stop recommending that everyone wear a mask indoors in public settings such as grocery stores and offices. Face coverings would still be strongly recommended in high-risk settings for people who are older, unvaccinated, live in high-poverty areas or have health conditions that make them more susceptible to a severe case of COVID-19. Otherwise, the decision about covering up would be a matter of personal preference.

Masks will continue to be required in healthcare settings, correctional facilities, cooling centers and a handful of other places.

California isnt the only place seeing pandemic improvements. The World Health Organization says the number of new infections is dropping in every part of the globe.

The WHOs latest weekly report counted 3.1 million new cases, a 28% drop from the previous week. Deaths also fell by 22%, to just over 11,000 the lowest worldwide death toll since March 2020.

We are not there yet, but the end is in sight, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the U.S., agreed Monday that were heading in that direction. But unlike Biden, he walked back Bidens assessment that the pandemic phase of the outbreak was already behind us.

It is likely that we will see another variant emerge in the late fall or winter, Fauci said Monday during a talk at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Dr. Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research in La Jolla, schooled the president as well.

We all wish that were true, Topol wrote in an an op-ed. But unfortunately, that is a fantasy right now. All the data tell us the virus is not contained. Far too many people are dying and suffering. And new, worrisome variants are on the horizon.

An experimental vaccine may help us stay ahead of those new variants. Instead of focusing solely on the spike protein, which has proved adept at mutating in ways that reduce vaccine effectiveness, the new shots also target a far more stable nucleocapsid protein.

Although the vaccines design was based on an early coronavirus strain first seen in Wuhan, it was effective against both the Delta and Omicron variants and when tested in mice and hamsters. Its still several steps away from being tested in humans, but scientists are optimistic that it could lead the way to a one-size-fits-all vaccine that provides lasting protection without needing to be tweaked on a regular basis like the flu shot.

Its a great idea, said Dr. Paul Offit, a virologist and immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania who wasnt involved in the research. You could have argued that we should have done this at the beginning.

And finally, the Chinese government is facing more complaints about its zero-COVID strategy. Earlier this month it was a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Sichuan province that triggered protests because millions of residents in lockdown were prevented from fleeing their seriously damaged homes.

This week it was a fatal bus crash in the middle of the night in Guizhou province. Forty-seven passengers were being transported to a quarantine facility outside the capital city, Guiyang; 27 of them died.

Critics went online and accused the government of moving the passengers for political purposes, not public health ones. They speculated that residents were being taken outside the city limits so Guiyang wouldnt have to report any new illnesses.

Will this ever end? one commenter asked. Is there scientific validity to hauling people to quarantine, one car after another?

In addition, residents in some neighborhoods complained of hunger after food deliveries were missed, a mistake local officials attributed to their lack of experience and inappropriate methods. The local zoo worried it would run out of food for its animals and appealed to the public for donations of pork, chicken, apples, watermelons, carrots and other produce.

Food shortages are also a problem in Ghulja, a city in Chinas far western Xinjiang region where the Uyghur population is used to harsh treatment from the government.

After more than 40 days of lockdown, hungry and frustrated residents went online to share videos of empty refrigerators and feverish children. In some cases, people who have ingredients to make bread havent been able to bake their dough because authorities wont let them go outside to use their backyard ovens.

Nyrola Elima, Uyghur from Ghulja who no longer lives there, told the Associated Press that her father was sharing one tomato each day with his 93-year-old mother, and that her aunt was desperate for milk for her toddler grandson. Her account could not be independently verified, but her descriptions were in line with videos posted by others.

Chinese censors worked to remove those posts from social media, though some reappeared. Six people were arrested for spreading rumors about the lockdown.

Todays question comes from readers who want to know: Whats the difference between being fully vaccinated and being up to date?

The CDC considers someone to be fully vaccinated if theyve finished their primary series of COVID-19 shots. For Comirnaty (the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech), Spikevax (the one from Moderna) and the (relatively) new offering from Novavax, that means two shots given between three and eight weeks apart. Only a single dose is required for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

But immunity wanes and new variants spark fresh COVID-19 surges. That means being fully vaccinated is just the beginning.

The immune system needs a refresher course from time to time, and a booster shot provides one. But rather than change the definition of fully vaccinated, the CDC instead said people who got the boosters recommended for them were up to date with their vaccinations.

If youre at least 12 years old, that means getting a new bivalent booster shot to (hopefully) bolster your protection against BA.4 and BA.5. To be eligible, you must be fully vaccinated and not have had a COVID-19 vaccine in at least two months or a coronavirus infection in at least three months. Once you get a bivalent booster, youll be considered up to date regardless of how many booster shots youve had (or missed) in the past.

We want to hear from you. Email us your coronavirus questions, and well do our best to answer them. Wondering if your questions already been answered? Check out our archive here.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The woman at Hermosa Beach in the picture above is Sandhya Kambhampati, a colleague of mine on the Data Desk. She caught COVID-19 very early in the pandemic, then became one of the first long COVID patients her doctors had encountered. Last year, she wrote a first-person account of what it took to convince them her symptoms were real.

They finally came around, but Kambhampati still struggled. Eventually, at her doctors insistence, she took a leave from work so she could focus on healing. Painting became an integral part of that process.

At first, it offered an escape on my worst days, but over the last few months, it has developed into much more, she writes in a new essay. Painting sunsets at the beach is simultaneously calming and energizing, allowing her to recharge her batteries and help others who are just starting their journeys with long COVID.

Painting gives me a place to release the medical trauma that people share with me and keep going, she writes.

You may not be dealing with long COVID, but you can follow Kambhampatis lead and shift your mind-set for the better.

Continued here:
Coronavirus Today: Who's dying of COVID-19 now? - Los Angeles Times

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has been named a Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence (RTCoE) by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), a distinction held by only 17 centers in the U.S., including Stanford Health Care, Harvard Medical School and the University of California, San Francisco.

The designation is a recognition of Hoag's leading advancements in the burgeoning field of nuclear medicine research and treatment, according to the SNMMI.

"Radiopharmaceutical therapy represents an exciting new tool in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer, and we are honored to be recognized for our pioneering work in this emerging field," said Hoag CEO and President Robert T. Braithwaite. "This distinction is both an accomplishment and a promise to our patients and community that Hoag will continue to conquer cancer."

As a Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence, Hoag will continue to lead the nation in testing and offering evidence-based therapies to improve patient care at Hoag and throughout the world, said Gary A. Ulaner, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.N.M, James & Pamela Muzzy Endowed Chair in Molecular Imaging and Therapy and director of Molecular Imaging and Therapy for the Hoag Family Cancer Institute.

"Over time, there will likely be improvements in second- and third-generation agents, which will make it important to develop more therapies," Dr. Ulaner said. "Here at Hoag, we are offering the same therapies that are being offered at Memorial Sloan Kettering and other leading cancer institutions worldwide. Patients are often relieved to learn that they have access to these therapies right here in Orange County."

The elite SNMMI designation comes on the heels of the publication of two important peer-reviewed studies coming out of Hoag about the potential for nuclear medicine to change the course of cancer care.

Dr. Ulaner recently published two papers that analyzed molecular imaging in prostate cancer, as well as a separate study studying the effectiveness of imaging in a new targeted breast cancer therapy. His studies appeared in the journals Radiology and Nature Communications, respectively.

"With philanthropic support from the community, Hoag has continuously prioritized providing the best patient care available.With these innovative research programs, Hoag is developing and delivering the future of patient care," said Dr. Ulaner.

Molecular medicine advanced earlier this year when the FDA approved the first targeted radioligand therapy for prostate cancer patients whose tumor cells contain a protein called prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). The therapy, known commercially as Pluvicto, is the first FDA-approved PSMA-targeted radiotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer.

Hoag's Molecular Imaging & Therapy program is the only program in Orange County to offer Pluvicto, as well as several similar radiotherapies that are currently in clinical trials for prostate and other cancers.

In addition to helping determine the effectiveness of Pluvicto, Dr. Ulaner explains that molecular medicine works like a lock and a key. Every cancer cell has a protein on its surface that can be thought of as a lock. Molecular agents designed to bind specifically to those locks are the key. Infused with radiation, those keys can either help detect or destroy the cancer cells wherever they are in the body, leaving neighboring healthy cells unharmed.

"This is a relatively new field," Ulaner said. "We are the only molecular imaging and therapy center in Orange County. We use molecular agents to help detect cancer and to treat cancer through radioactive molecules."

Hoag is offering ongoing clinical trials in molecular imaging and therapy for a number of cancer types. For more information, contact Hoag Family Cancer Institute at 949-7-CANCER.

ABOUT HOAG Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery system in Orange County, California.Deliveringworld-class, comprehensive, personalized care,Hoag consistsof 1,800 top physicians, 15 urgent care facilities,10health & wellness centers,andtwoaward-winning hospitals.Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that includessixinstitutes providing specialized services in the following areas:cancer,digestivehealth,heart and vascular,neurosciences, women's health, and orthopedics through Hoag's affiliate,Hoag Orthopedic Institute,which consists of an orthopedic hospital and four ambulatory surgical centers.Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County byU.S. News & World Reportandthe only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California, as well asa designated Magnethospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).For more information, visithoag.org.

SOURCE Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian

Read more:
Hoag Named Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence, Publishes Results of Breast and Prostate Cancer Trials - PR Newswire

State-of-the-Art Platform Comprised of Established and Emerging Technologies Across a Wide Spectrum of RNA Discovery, Development and Delivery, Excluding RNAi Therapeutics

Strategic Partnership with Beam Therapeutics Provides Access to Beams RNA and Delivery Technologies for Multiple Therapeutics Applications

Founding and Leadership Teams Comprised of Recognized Scientific Pioneers, Successful Drug Developers and Accomplished Biopharma Executives

Initial Funding Led by ARCH Venture Partners with Participation from a16z Bio + Health and Newpath Partners

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., September 07, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Orbital Therapeutics launched today with a vision of enhancing global health by unleashing the full potential of RNA medicines to treat human disease in ways that were not previously possible.

"The breakthroughs in RNA therapeutics over the last decade have been remarkable achievements by the biopharmaceutical industry, with several approved products for a range of diseases and many more in development. This frontier of science represents the future of medicine, and we are just beginning to realize the full breadth of its applications in treating a wide range of serious diseases," said John Maraganore, Ph.D., Orbital co-founder and chairman of the board of directors. "Orbital Therapeutics has a unique opportunity to integrate and apply a spectrum of innovative RNA technologies to advance a portfolio that could dramatically expand the potential of todays RNA therapeutic approaches."

Game-Changing RNA VisionRNA-based medicines represent a fast-growing and disruptive class of therapeutics for a breadth of disease areas. First-generation RNA treatments successfully overcame multiple hurdles, such as the rapid degradation of exogenous RNA, delivery of RNA and complications associated with immunogenicity.

To further broaden the application of this important class of treatments, Orbital is building a first-in-kind RNA platform that integrates both established and emerging technologies and delivery mechanisms, excluding RNAi. This platform is designed to extend the durability and half-life of Orbitals novel RNA therapeutics, while also expanding their delivery to a larger number of cell types and tissues. As the company grows, Orbital intends to continue investing in the growth of its platform capabilities and technologies.

Story continues

With a platform that provides access to state-of-the-art RNA and novel delivery technologies, Orbital plans to build an expansive portfolio across a range of human diseases, including in the areas of vaccines, immunomodulation, protein replacement and regenerative medicine.

Collaboration with Beam TherapeuticsAs part of its launch, Orbital and Beam Therapeutics have entered into a license and research collaboration under which Orbital and Beam have each granted the other access to respective RNA technology and non-viral delivery technology. Orbitals exclusive field of use consists of vaccines and certain therapeutic proteins, while Beams exclusive field of use consists of gene editing and conditioning for use in cell transplantation.

"The field of RNA medicines is advancing rapidly, and we are excited to participate in the launch of Orbital. Its also an exciting opportunity for Beam, as we continue our strategy of pursuing creative partnerships that can generate value from the full breadth of our platform and accelerate the development of novel and diverse medicines for patients," said John Evans, chief executive officer of Beam Therapeutics. "The collaboration with Orbital also enables us to leverage cutting-edge advancements in RNA science for the development of our pipeline of potential transformative medicines focused on gene editing."

World-Class FoundersOrbital is founded by a collective group of scientific pioneers and proven biopharma company builders, including:

Howard Chang, M.D., Ph.D., professor of cancer research and professor of genetics, Stanford University

Ravi Majeti, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine, chief of division of hematology, Stanford University

Drew Weissman, M.D., Ph.D., professor in vaccine research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Gene Yeo, Ph.D., MBA, professor of cellular and molecular medicine, UC San Diego

Giuseppe Ciaramella, Ph.D., president and chief scientific officer, Beam Therapeutics

John Maraganore, Ph.D., former founding chief executive officer of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals

Kristina Burow, managing director, ARCH Venture Partners

Carol Suh, partner, ARCH Venture Partners

In addition, Orbital is initially funded by ARCH Venture Partners, a16z Bio + Health and Newpath Partners.

"The formation of Orbital by a group of visionary leaders and scientific pioneers establishes a single organization that integrates a wide expanse of RNA technologies with a goal of delivering new medicines with a far-reaching impact on human health worldwide," said Ms. Burow. "The ability to combine the highest caliber science with potentially revolutionary technologies and a dynamic organizational structure led by proven experts in RNA, provides a special opportunity to create a therapeutically transformational company, and we at ARCH are thrilled to be a part of such a bold and impactful mission with Orbital."

Expert Leadership and BoardOrbital will be led by Giuseppe Ciaramella, Ph.D., who will serve as interim chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors, in addition to his ongoing role as president and chief scientific officer at Beam Therapeutics. Dr. Ciaramella has more than 25 years of drug discovery expertise and is a leader in the field of RNA research and drug development. Prior to Beam, Dr. Ciaramella served as chief scientific officer of the infectious diseases division at Moderna Therapeutics, where he led the establishment of its initial mRNA vaccine pipeline and the execution of its first investigational new drug application submission.

"In the history of medicine, certain therapeutic classes have revolutionized the treatment of both prevalent and rare diseases, and RNA-based therapeutics is undoubtedly one of them," said Dr. Ciaramella. "The creation of Orbital brings together a critical mass of the latest innovations in RNA technology under one roof to enable near-term clinical readiness, while advancing the durability, tissue-specific programmability and breadth of clinical applications. We stand at the forefront of science with an opportunity to treat human diseases in ways that have not yet been done, and I am excited to be leading the company in this endeavor."

Orbital has also appointed Gilles Besin, Ph.D., as chief scientific officer, bringing more than 15 years expertise in immunology and vaccines for infectious diseases, oncology and metabolic disorders. Dr. Besin joins Orbital from Affinivax Inc., where he served as vice president, head of discovery, leading all research efforts. Previously, Dr. Besin had increasingly senior roles at Moderna Therapeutics, where he led the platform immunology group and the efforts to modulate T cell responses in cancer and autoimmune diseases using mRNA lipid nanoparticles. Earlier in his career, Dr. Besin led research and discovery groups at In-Cell-Art, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of DNA/RNA based vaccines and therapeutics. Dr. Besin earned an Engineering degree in biotechnology (Masters-equivalent) from cole Suprieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Graduate School of Biotechnology), as well as a Ph.D. in immunology from the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics. Dr. Besin is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Ovensa Inc.

In addition to Dr. Ciaramella, Orbitals highly experienced board of directors includes:

Vineeta Agarwala, M.D., Ph.D., general partner, a16z Bio + Health

Kristina Burow, managing director, ARCH Venture Partners

John Evans, chief executive officer, Beam Therapeutics

John Maraganore, Ph.D., former founding chief executive officer of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, and chairman of the Orbital board of directors

Carol Suh, partner, ARCH Venture Partners

To support the near-term growth of the company, Orbital will leverage the resources and talent of the Beam team in addition to Dr. Ciaramella, for leadership capabilities, operational support, and research and development.

About Orbital TherapeuticsOrbital Therapeutics aims to enhance global health by unleashing the full potential of RNA-based medicines (excluding RNAi therapeutics) to treat human disease in ways that were not previously possible. The company is building a first-in-kind platform designed to sit at the intersection of RNA technology delivery methods, data science and automation to develop an expansive portfolio of medicines, initially focused in the areas of vaccines, immunomodulation, protein replacement and regenerative medicine. Founded by experts in the fields of genetic medicine and RNA development and delivery, Orbital has a dynamic operational structure designed to harness the ingenuity of a deep and diverse team of scientists, drug developers and business leaders. For more information, please visit http://www.OrbitalTx.com.

Beam Therapeutics Inc.s Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements related to Beams license and collaboration agreement with Orbital and any potential benefits that may be achieved thereunder. Each forward-looking statement is subject to important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statement, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties identified under the headings "Risk Factors Summary" and "Risk Factors" in Beams Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, Beams Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, and in any subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Factors or events that could cause Beams actual results to differ may emerge from time to time. Beam undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220907005434/en/

Contacts

Media Dan Budwick, 1ABdan@1abmedia.com

Investor Monique Allaire, THRUSTmonique@thrustsc.com

More:
Orbital Therapeutics Launches to Advance New Frontiers of Science with the Next Generation of Innovative RNA Medicines - Yahoo Finance

The U.S. developed the worlds most widely used COVID-19 vaccines with brand-new technology in record time, but China just shot ahead in the huffing and sniffing phase of COVID-19 vaccine development.

On Sunday, Chinas government approved CanSino Biologics inhaled COVID-19 vaccine for use as a booster dose. CanSino is a private, Tianjin-based vaccine maker that has partnered with the Chinese military-run Academy of Military Medical Sciences to produce COVID-19 vaccines. The inhaled vaccine uses the same technology as the firms World Health Organizationapproved viral vector COVID-19 vaccine. The new version is breathed in through the mouth, and clinical trial data showed that it was more effective as a booster at preventing infections from Omicron and other variants than the injectable, inactivated vaccine from Chinese firm Sinovac. CanSinos new vaccine is not just the first inhaled vaccine for COVID, it is the first inhaled vaccine for any disease.

The vaccine is a game changer, Pierre Morgon, an executive vice president at CanSino Biologics, told Fortune. This is the first-ever inhaled vaccine to be commercialized. Im so proud to be part of it.

For now, the vaccine will only be available in China. But Morgon said he hopes that CanSinos inhaled vaccine will be approved in more countries by the end of the year.

Some scientists in the U.S., meanwhile, have been calling on the Biden administration and vaccine manufacturers to step up efforts to produce an inhaled or nasal spray vaccine because of the technologys potential to reduce transmission more effectively than injectable immunizations.

Eric Topol, professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research in San Diego, and Akiko Iwasaki, immunobiology professor at Yale University, urged the U.S. government to create an Operation Nasal Vaccine similar to Operation Warp Speed, which funded initial COVID-19 vaccine development, in a July piece for Science Immunology.

With [Omicron] there has been a marked falloff in the capacity for vaccinations and booster shots to block infections and transmission, Topol and Iwasaki wrote. They explained that blocking transmission and preventing breakthrough infections have become a major unmet clinical need that nasal vaccines may be able to fix.

Intramuscular shots alonedo not provide tissue-level mucosal immunity, they wrote. The only path to achieve this will be via nasal or orally administered vaccines.

Topol and Iwasaki said there were 12 nasal spray vaccines in clinical development globally, but it appeared unlikely that one would hit the U.S. market soon. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved only one nasal spray vaccinefor the fluand has never approved an inhaled vaccine.

U.S. President Joe Bidens administration has signaled that its open to new vaccine delivery methods.

[We are supporting] innovations like nasal sprays and skin patches, instead of needles, to administer vaccines in a more comfortable and accessible way so that everyone in America and around the world can readily benefit from them, Alondra Nelson, the White Houses deputy director for science and society, said in July at a summit on the future of COVID-19 vaccines.

But even at the summit, it was unclear how the U.S. government would fund the development of new COVID-19 vaccine technology. Last spring, Biden failed to strike a deal with Congress for more funding for the governments pandemic response, and the two sides have been in a stalemate over the matter ever since.

Morgon said a relatively simple process turned CanSinos injectable vaccine into a huffable one.

CanSinos inhaled vaccine uses the same technology as its successful viral vector COVID-19 vaccine. Essentially, CanSino takes the liquid used in its injectable vaccines and turns the solution into a mist with a device called a nebulizer. Patients inhale the mist and hold it in their lungs for 15 seconds or so before breathing out.

Its the exact same thing: same composition, same ingredients, Morgon said of the two vaccines. The only difference is the dose.

There is nothing stopping other vaccine makers from developing their own inhaled vaccines, CanSino said.

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Scientists urged the Biden administration to launch an Operation Warp Speed to develop inhaled COVID vaccines. China beat the U.S. to the punch -...

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Foundation Medicine, Inc., a pioneer in molecular profiling for cancer, today announced that the company and its collaborators will present 14 abstracts at the 2022 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress being held virtually and in person in Paris from September 9-13, 2022.

Highlights from the presentations include:

This data demonstrates the power of our tissue- and liquid-based comprehensive genomic profiling tests for enabling critical research on complex genomic signatures and emerging biomarkers, said Priti Hegde, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Foundation Medicine. Were proud to be working across the cancer research community to deepen our collective understanding of cancer biology and ultimately support better care for patients in the future.

The following is a list of abstracts that will be presented at the meeting. To access all abstracts being presented at ESMO, please visit: https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress

Follow Foundation Medicine on Twitter and LinkedIn for more updates from #ESMO22 and visit us in person at booth #306.

Abstract #

Title

Product*

Collaborators

Proffered Paper Session

Sunday, September 11, 2022,

4:40 - 4:50 PM CET

#1696O

Genomic profiling and molecular targeting of lung cancer brain metastases

FoundationOne CDx

Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center

Mini Oral Sessions

Saturday, September 10, 2022,

11:15 - 11:20 AM CET

#660MO

Molecular targets in salivary gland cancers: A comprehensive genomic analysis of 1,666 cases

FoundationOne CDx

Upstate Medical University

Monday, September 12, 2022,

3:35 - 3:40 PM CET

#1487MO

A pan-sarcoma investigation of genetic alterations associated with high telomeric content

FoundationOne Heme

Omico (Australian genomic Cancer Medicine), Garvan Institute of Medical Research; St Vincents Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Australia

Posters

Saturday, September 10, 2022

#97P

Pan-cancer landscape of clonal tumor mutational burden (cTMB)

FoundationOne CDx

Massachusetts General Cancer Center, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, MA, USA; Georgia Institute of Technology, GA, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, MA, US

Saturday, September 10, 2022

#100P

Co-mutational landscape of key fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) alterations in intra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), bladder cancer (BC) and glioma

FoundationOne CDx

Ospedale San Raffaele,

Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Tyra Biosciences, Carlsbad, CA, USA; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland; Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Repare Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA; Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

Sunday, September 11, 2022

#1373P

SPOP mutations (mtSPOP) are a treatment-selection biomarker in patients (pts) with de novo metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (dn-mCSPC).

Clinico-Genomic Database (CGDB)

Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN

Sunday, September 11, 2022

#1393P

Comparison of genomic alterations (GA) landscape in SPOP mutated (SPOPmut) and SPOP wild type (SPOPwt) clinically advanced prostate cancer (CAPC)

FoundationOne CDx

Ospedale San Raffaele,

Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy/Moffitt Cancer Center/SUNY Upstate Medical University

Sunday, September 11, 2022

#1368P

TALAPRO-1: Talazoparib monotherapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with DNA damage response alterations (DDRm)Exploration of tumor genetics associated with prolonged benefit

FoundationOne CDx

The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK; various other institutions; Pfizer

Sunday, September 11, 2022

#1521P

Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) and liver angiosarcomas (LAS)

FoundationOne CDx

Medical College of Wisconsin

Excerpt from:
Foundation Medicine to Share 14 Abstracts at the 2022 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress Demonstrating the Power of Genomic...

BOSTON, Sept. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLUE), a biotechnology company developing novel molecular glue degrader (MGD)-based medicines, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the companys investigational new drug application (IND) for MRT-2359, a potent and selective GSPT1-directed MGD. The company is on track with initiating a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of MRT-2359 in patients with MYC-driven solid tumors, including lung cancer, and expects to dose the first patient in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The FDAs clearance of our first IND serves as a critical milestone for Monte Rosa and continues to validate our differentiated approach to protein degradation, said Markus Warmuth, M.D., CEO of Monte Rosa. Molecular glue degraders hold tremendous promise in tackling the universe of previously undruggable proteins and fostering a new generation of precision medicine therapeutics. After reporting compelling preclinical data, we are excited to advance MRT-2359 into a Phase 1/2 study for patients with MYC-driven solid tumors who otherwise have limited treatment options.

About MRT-2359MRT-2359 is a potent, selective and orally bioavailable molecular glue degrader (MGD) that induces the interaction between the E3 ubiquitin ligase component cereblon (CRBN) and the translation termination factor GSPT1, leading to the targeted degradation of GSPT1 protein. The MYC transcription factors (cMYC, L-MYC and N-MYC) are well-established drivers of human cancers that maintain high levels of protein translation, which is critical for uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor growth. Our preclinical studies have shown that this addiction to MYC-induced protein translation creates a dependency on GSPT1. MRT-2359 exploits this vulnerability by inducing degradation of GSPT1, disrupting protein synthesis preferentially in MYC-driven cell lines and leading to anti-tumor activity in MYC-driven tumor models. A Phase 1/2 clinical study aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability and anti-tumor activity of MRT-2359.

About Monte RosaMonte Rosa Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing a portfolio of novel molecular glue degrader (MGD) medicines. These medicines are designed to employ the bodys natural mechanisms to selectively eliminate therapeutically relevant proteins. The company has developed a proprietary protein degradation platform, called QuEEN(Quantitative andEngineeredElimination ofNeosubstrates), that enables it to rapidly identify protein targets and MGD product candidates that are designed to eliminate therapeutically relevant proteins in a highly selective manner. The companys drug discovery platform combines diverse and proprietary chemical libraries of small molecule protein degraders with in-house proteomics, structural biology, AI/machine learning-based target selection, and computational chemistry capabilities to predict and obtain protein degradation profiles. For more information, visitwww.monterosatx.com.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis communication includes express and implied forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts, and in some cases, can be identified by terms such as may, might, will, could, would, should, expect, intend, plan, objective, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, continue, ongoing, or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. Forward-looking statements contained in herein include, but are not limited to, statements about our product development activities, including our expectations around MRT-2359, the ongoing development of our QuEEN platform and the advancement of our pipeline and the various products therein, our expectations of timing, including for initiation and patient dosing, of our clinical trial for MRT-2359, our ability to initiate and the timing of initiation of additional lead optimization programs, and our expectations regarding our ability to nominate and the timing of our nominations of additional development candidates. By their nature, these statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the impact that the current COVID-19 pandemic will have on our development activities and operations, as well as those risks and uncertainties set forth in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and any subsequent filings, that could cause actual results, performance or achievement to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the statements. You should not rely upon forward looking statements as predictions of future events. Although our management believes that the expectations reflected in our statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, performance or events and circumstances described in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Recipients are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made and should not be construed as statements of fact. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, any future presentations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Certain information contained in these materials and any statements made orally during any presentation of these materials that relate to the materials or are based on studies, publications, surveys and other data obtained from third-party sources and our own internal estimates and research. While we believe these third-party studies, publications, surveys and other data to be reliable as of the date of these materials, we have not independently verified, and make no representations as to the adequacy, fairness, accuracy or completeness of, any information obtained from third-party sources. In addition, no independent source has evaluated the reasonableness or accuracy of our internal estimates or research and no reliance should be made on any information or statements made in these materials relating to or based on such internal estimates and research.

Contacts:

InvestorsMichael Morabito, Solebury Troutir@monterosatx.com

MediaDan Budwick, 1ABdan@1abmedia.com

See the article here:
Monte Rosa Therapeutics Announces FDA Clearance of Investigational New Drug Application for MRT-2359, a GSPT1-directed Molecular Glue Degrader Phase...

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bidens chief medical adviser, said in a White House briefing earlier Tuesday: It is becoming increasingly clear that, looking forward with the COVID-19 pandemic, in the absence of a dramatically different variant, we likely are moving towards a path with a vaccination cadence similar to that of the annual influenza vaccine, with annual, updated COVID-19 shots matched to the currently circulating strains for most of the population.

We expect that the updated vaccines will offer better protection against the SARS-CoV-2 subvariants that are currently circulating, Fauci added.

Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, said that barring any new variant curveballs ... for a large majority of Americans, we are moving to a point where a single annual COVID shot should provide a high degree of protection against serious illness all year. Thats an important milestone.

Jha noted that people at highest risk may need more than annual protection, and we will ensure in this administration that they get whatever protection they need.

He also acknowledged the possibility that a new variant could emerge, saying, We plan for what we think is the median, the most likely scenario. But were always watching for that unusual event, and if that happens, we will address it and we will adjust to it and well account for it.

Fauci said there was always the possibility of a wildcard of a way-out, out-of-left-field variant coming in. If that happens, all bets are off, and we change.

Jha said in a stream of tweets Tuesday that the formula to control COVID-19 included the updated vaccines, as well as antiviral medicines, rapid tests, and improved indoor ventilation.

Some experts tweeted that there are still unanswered questions, including how well the updated boosters will work and whether people will get them.

Annual Covid booster? Possibly, but a few stars need to align first I think, tweeted Dr. Peter Hotez, codirector of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Childrens Hospital and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research, questioned whether the shots would last a whole year, tweeting, I dont see any evidence for how an annual Covid shot will provide durable protection (current ones wane after 4-6 months) without better vaccines. He noted efforts to create a vaccine that will protect against all variants, to improve the lipid nanoparticle delivery system of vaccines, and to develop a nasal vaccine.

Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist in Texas and author of the newsletter Your Local Epidemiologist, said in a post that the administration was gambling because its not clear if an annual vaccination like the flu vaccination will work. The fall bivalent vaccine is ... our first attempt to apply the flu model to SARS-CoV-2. This is our pilot. And we really need to see how the pilot works in the real world before making sweeping declarations, like an annual shot. We need the data, the time, and the humility to tell. Lets first get through winter, she said.

Dr. Robert Wachter, who chairs the Department of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, told CNN, The biggest problem with the vaccines today is that people arent getting them.

Wachter said officials were hoping to get more people boosted by taking away uncertainty about when to get shots. The overall goal, he told CNN, was to cast boosters as more manageable, something you do every year, like getting a flu shot.

I think its a really smart way of rebranding and rethinking it, Wachter said.

The Globe reported Sunday it wasnt clear if people were going to get the shots, but doctors said interest might pick up after the holiday weekend and people return to school and work.

Experts say the updated boosters are crucial to blunting the impact of an expected surge of infections this fall and winter.

Staying up to date on vaccines, including boosters, is the most effective way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. While vaccine protection decreases over time, boosters re-stimulate the immune system and increase vaccine efficacy again. Boosters are an important defense, even if youve already had COVID, the state Department of Public Health said in a statement.

The department said people can check for updates at http://www.mass.gov/covidbooster, and that locations with the updated booster are in the process of being added to vaxfinder.mass.gov.

Winter is not that far away. The past two years, we have seen COVID-19 cases and deaths soar. It does not have to be that way this year. If you are 12 and older, go get your new COVID-19 shot this fall, Biden said in his statement.

Martin Finucane can be reached at martin.finucane@globe.com.

Go here to read the rest:
Biden administration says the once-a-year shot phase of the COVID-19 pandemic has arrived - The Boston Globe

The International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi University held an orientation session for 53 new students MPhil and PhD Program-2022 on Tuesday.

ICCBS director Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary welcomed the new students in the Prof Salimuz Zaman Auditorium and asked the newcomers to work hard in pursuance of their higher learning program, as there was no shortcut for scholars in the international center.

Unfolding the importance of sincerity, the ICCBS Director advised the students to adopt sincerity as it was the noblest of all human traits. Sincere people, who are sincere about their work, education, parents, relatives and friends, are capable of securing great success in their life.

He said, The ICCBS, along with its two major wings Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, and Hussein Ebrahim Jamal (HEJ) Research Institute of Chemistry, is serving industries and government agencies.

He informed the new students that the center was unique to have the triple honor of UNESCO, WHO and OIC Center of Excellence. This has also received Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) prizes for best science institution in Islamic world, he adds.

Welcoming all the students of the new batch-2022 to the internationally famous doctoral program, Prof Choudhary said that ICCBS owned the single largest 100 percent merit-based doctoral program in the country with over 600 PhD students, including foreign students from different countries of the world.

It is pertinent to mention here that as many as 53 admissions have been given in various disciplines of sciences, which included Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Bio-Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Molecular Medicine, he added.

Read more:
ICCBS welcomes students of MPhil and PhD Programs 2022 - The Academia Mag

Would you like tocontribute your creativity to an international team of scientistsfrom various disciplines focusing on basic research in the area of molecular life sciences?

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) invites you toapply for PhD positionsin Heidelberg, Barcelona, Grenoble, Hamburg, Hinxton (near Cambridge) and Rome.We welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds, such as in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering and Molecular Medicine.

Information about the PhD Programme and fellowships as well as research topics at EMBL can be foundhere.

Why join us

EMBL provides PhD students with a starting platform for a successful career in science by fostering early independence and interdisciplinary research. The enriching encounter of different nationalities, the friendly and collaborative atmosphere, and the passion for science is what unites EMBLs diverse staff and provides an ideal setting to forge long-lasting connections and make studying at EMBL a formative experience. Our PhD positions are fully funded and offer broad health care and pension benefits.

Learn more about the EMBL International PhD Programme andapply onlinehere:https://www.embl.org/about/info/embl-international-phd-programme/application/.

Thedeadlinefor submitting the online application is4October 2022. References must be submitted by 6 October 2022.

Interviews will take place in January - February 2023. Successful candidates would start their work at EMBL latest by mid of October 2023.

EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we implement best practices in research assessment in our recruitment processeshere.

For further information, pleasecontact EMBL Graduate Office viagraduate-office@embl.org.

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Exciting PhD positions at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) job with EUROPEAN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY (EMBL) | 308114 - Times...

Dear colleagues and students

Every year the National Research Foundation (NRF) celebrates South African research at its annual awards ceremony. Nominated by their peers and research institutions, awardees are recognised in a variety of categories.

I am extremely proud of the many University of Cape Town (UCT) researchers that were nominated and those that ultimately received accolades at last weeks award ceremony. Six UCT researchers were awarded in three categories.

Professor Rajend Mesthrie (Department of African Studies & Linguistics) received the Hamilton Naki Award to honour the many ways in which he navigated challenges and hardships to deliver an incredibly high standard of research. Professor Mesthrie is one of UCTs A-rated researchers.

Associate Professor Amir Patel (Department of Electrical Engineering) who uses the locomotion of animals to inspire his robotics, and DrWade Petersen (Department of Chemistry) who focuses on the development of new bio-actives, were both awarded the Research Excellence Award for Emerging Researchers for their outstanding research performance.

Jessica Fell (Department of Civil Engineering), Nkosiyomzi Haile Matutu (Department of Psychology) and Athi Welsh (Department of Chemistry) all final-year PhD students were awarded the Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers to celebrate their outstanding academic performances.

What is striking about this years cohort of NRF awardees is that their research has incredible value outside the realm of academia. WhenI read about the focus of their research, it is evident that these are South African researchers with their focus very much on the benefit for South Africa local knowledge to address local challenges through research that is cutting edge at home and globally. This brings our Vision2030 strategy for UCT to life.

UCTs established researchers also shone at this years NRF awards. ProfessorLinda-Gail Bekker (Desmond Tutu HIV Centre) and ProfessorTommie Meyer (Department of Computer Science) improved their ratings to anA. The late Professor Timothy Egan (Department of Chemistry) was also awarded an A-rating posthumously. Emeritus Professor Dirk van Zyl Smit (Centre for Criminology) also achieved a new A-rating.

Additionally, several researchers retained their Aratings, including Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan (Department of Biological Sciences), Professor Valerie Mizrahi (Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine), ProfessorGerald Nurick (Department of Mechanical Engineering) and Emeritus Professor David Chidester (Department for the Study of Religions). This brings UCTs researchers who held active Aratings in 2022 to31, the highest of any university in South Africa. ProfessorJess Auerbach (Graduate School of Business) was also awarded a P-rating within one month of joining UCT as a result of support from her previous institution, North-West University.

Please join me in congratulating each of these incredible researchers as well as those colleagues who received a nomination. It is recognition like this that demonstrates that our researchers and research support community are key in securing and retaining our position as the top university in South Africa and on the continent.

My sincere thank you to each of you.

Warm regards

Professor Sue HarrisonDeputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation

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Congratulations to our NRF award winners | UCT News - University of Cape Town News