Queensland-based AnteoTech has received European accreditation for its 15-minute COVID-19 rapid test, to take the fight on the illness overseas. Their innovative, point-of-care COVID-19 antigen rapid test platform, EuGeni now has Conformitè Europëenne Mark registration, meaning it meets the health and safety rules in both the UK and Europe. The company will now start to commercialise their product in Australia, with the test based on their proprietary binding technology paired with global advancements in assay detection systems. The next step is gaining approval from the TGA in Australia to start the manufacturing process. | https://www.anteotech.com/announcements/test-platform-and-covid-19-test-receive-ce-mark-approval/

Researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Centre have published their work on NLRP3 - an intracellular complex found to participate in melanoma-mediated inflammation leading to tumour growth and progression. The researchers found that by inhibiting this complex, they can reduce inflammation and tumour growth. The studies have so far used an oral NLRP3 inhibitor (Dapansutrile) which has shown to be effective in treating gout and heart disease. It is currently being tested in COVID-19.  | https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-04-drug-tumors.html?utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-nwletter

Two Australian groups - Microba Life Sciences and The University of Queensland - have joined forced to develop new treatments and biomarkers for Parkinson's disease by investigating changes in the gut bacteria of those with the disease. Current treatments only help to manage symptoms of the disease, but do not slow or stop the progression. Dr Richard Gordon will lead his team at UQ to understand underlying causes and mechanisms linked to the progression of the disease and Microba will sequence stool samples. | https://microba.com/announcements/microba-partners-with-uq-researchers-to-tackle-parkinsons-disease-by-mining-the-gut-microbiome/

Fujifilm has invested $2 billion to build the largest cell culture biopharma CDMO facility in the United States and create 725 jobs. Holly Springs, North Carolina has been chosen as the site and the facility will be designed and built with sustainability as its core. It will offer large-scale cell culture manufacturing of bulk drug substance production with 8 x 20,000L bioreactors with the potential to add a further 24 x 20,000L bioreactors based on market demand. The facility will also provide commercial scale, automated fill-finish and assembly, packaging, and labelling services. | https://www.biospectrumasia.com/news/89/17799/fujifilm-invests-2-b-to-build-largest-cell-cu

Healthcare technology startup HiDoc has launched a web-based and mobile app solution to assist women with their health and fitness. Based in Singapore, the group has launched Nectar which aims to create a community focused on supporting women's health and wellness in the Asia-Pacific. With support from healthcare partners, the app allows users to ask questions and receive answers and relevant content including webinars.The founders hope to inspire women after seeing the rising trends on the HiDoc platform during the COVID-19 outbreak. | https://nectar-app.com/our-story/

A cloud-based artificial intelligence solution, powered by Intel® technology, will be launched in India, greatly reducing the screening burden on vitreoretinal surgeons. Sankara Eye Foundation in India and Singapore-based Leben Care are deploying this comprehensive retina risk assessment software-as-a-service platform in India, which uses deep learning to identify retinal conditions in a short span of time with the accuracy level of human doctors. Netra.AI can accurately identify diabetic retinopathy (DR) and has screened more than 3000 patients so far. | shorturl.at/wBHKN