June 2015

US researchers have found that the more the hunter-gatherers smoke cannabis, the less they are infected by intestinal worms. The findings suggest that they may unconsciously be, in effect, smoking medical marijuana. The study appeared in the American Journal of Human Biology.

Siemens Healthcare planning to introduce the Magnetom Terra 7 Tesla MRI system to convert cutting-edge MRI research results into clinical application. This translation will allow user in less than ten minutes.  New 7 Tesla MRI system provides the whole range of cutting-edge 7 Tesla research functionalities, and is based on the latest software platform syngo MR E11, identical to Siemens’ latest flagship 3 Tesla MRI systems, to enable consistent usability and protocol exchange. It is the world’s first ultra-high field research system ready for future clinical use with planned CE and FDA authorization to market for selected neurological and musculoskeletal MR imaging applications.

A leading international developer and manufacturer of advanced and innovative hearing healthcare solutions, Denmark-based GN ReSound,  launched Resound LiNX2 in India, the world’s first full family of smart hearing aids.  The world’s smartest hearing aid, ReSound LiNX2 takes the user experience to the next level with Spatial Sense . The new Spatial Sense technology gives users a vivid sense of space and speech in top-rated sound quality.  ReSound LiNX2 is the fourth premium family of hearing aids to come out of GN ReSound’s proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless platform and builds on already industry-leading technologies in all areas of Smart Hearing (audiology, connectivity, design, and apps).

A team of researchers from CSIR-CIMAP (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Institute of Medical & Aromatic Plants) in Lucknow have successfully completed the genome sequencing of Tulsi (Basil) plant and very soon are expected to unravel the therapeutic secrets of its medical properties. This is the first report of complete genome sequence of a traditional and most respected medicinal plant of India, using a composite next generation sequencing technologies.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and AstraZeneca Pharma India  (AZPIL) have entered agreement  for distribution of AstraZeneca’s brand “Axcer”, a new brand of ticagrelor in India. This  drug is used for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). AZPIL already has a brand under the trademark “Brilinta”, for ticagrelor molecule, launched and marketed by AZPIL in India since 2012. This collaboration will provide customers access to this latest generation treatment option for ACS.

The Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) in partnership with HealthPhone, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India and UNICEF, announced launch of the IAP HealthPhone programme, the world's largest digital mass education programme to face the challenge of malnutrition in women and children, at the national-level in India. The programme will achieve its objectives by widely promoting and distributing four re-edited videos from the Poshan series, jointly produced by MWCD and UNICEF in 18 Indian languages. The Poshan videos address issues of status of women, the care of pregnant women and children under two, breastfeeding and the importance of balanced diet, health and simple changes in nutritional care practices that can notably enhance nutrition levels.

Amgen join with Roche on a phase 1b study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of talimogene laherparepvec, Amgen's investigational oncolytic immunotherapy, in combination with Roche's investigational anti-PDL1 therapy, atezolizumab (also known as MPDL3280A), in patients with triple-negative breast cancer and colorectal cancer with liver metastases.