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Sabin Vaccine Institute Begins Phase 2 Clinical Trial for Sudan Ebolavirus Vaccine

Laboratory at Makerere University Walter Reed Project, where Sabin’s Phase 2 Sudan ebolavirus vaccine clinical trial begins this month.

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sabin Vaccine Institute launched a Phase 2 clinical trial for its vaccine against Sudan ebolavirus, with healthy volunteers receiving the single–dose vaccine at Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) in Uganda. There are currently no approved vaccines for this strain of ebolavirus, which saw an outbreak end just last year. Ebolavirus disease kills on average half the people infected, according to the World Health Organization.

Sudan ebolavirus is a filovirus, in the same family as Marburg virus disease and Zaire ebolavirus, which killed 11,325 in one outbreak in West Africa from 2014–16. Ebolavirus disease spreads between people via direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of infected people and is highly virulent, causing hemorrhagic fever.

Based on the same cAd3 platform as its Marburg vaccine candidate, Sabin’s single–dose investigational Sudan ebolavirus vaccine was found to be promising in Phase 1 clinical and non–clinical studies, with results showing it to be safe, while eliciting rapid and robust immune responses that lasted up to 12 months.

This is Sabin’s second Phase 2 clinical trial partnership with MUWRP, based in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. A Phase 2 trial for a Marburg vaccine is already underway, having recently completed enrollment. Initial results from the Marburg trial are expected later this year.

Dr. Betty Mwesigwa, deputy executive director of MUWRP, is once again the principal investigator (PI) for the Sabin–sponsored trial for the Sudan ebolavirus vaccine. In the coming weeks, participants will also be enrolled at the Kenya Medical Research Institute in Siaya, Kenya, with Dr. Videlis Nduba serving as PI for that site. In all, 125 volunteers will participate in the trial across the two countries.

“We are delighted to advance a vaccine candidate that can thwart a deadly and devastating disease, especially one that caused a fairly recent outbreak and for which no approved treatments exist,” says Amy Finan, Sabin’s Chief Executive Officer. “Sabin’s vaccine candidate is backed by strong safety and immunogenicity data, and we hope this trial will yield further evidence to move the vaccine closer to licensure.”

The most recent outbreak of Sudan ebolavirus occurred in the fall of 2022 in Uganda, after six suspicious deaths in the Mubende district. That outbreak ultimately resulted in 55 deaths. Sabin’s vaccine was the first to arrive in Uganda during that outbreak after the World Health Organization included it as one of three vaccines for possible use in an outbreak trial. The outbreak ended on January 11, prior to vaccine being deployed for use.

“Makerere University Walter Reed Project is pleased to partner with the Sabin Vaccine Institute once again,” says Dr. Mwesigwa. “Uganda has the most experience with Sudan ebolavirus outbreaks so we understand the importance of testing and researching an effective Sudan ebolavirus vaccine that could be used in the event of an outbreak.”

The Phase 2 clinical trial will evaluate safety and immunogenicity for the vaccine among a larger group of individuals than in previous trials. This is a randomized, placebo–controlled, double–blind study, meaning that neither the participants nor the researchers will know whether trial participants receive a vaccine dose or a placebo dose until after the trial is over, an approach used to help reduce experimental bias.

Participants in the clinical trial will be monitored for a full year and will include both younger (18–50 years) and older age groups (51–70 years). Interim results are expected next year. In addition to the current trial in Uganda and Kenya, Sabin plans to conduct a similar Phase 2 clinical trial for Sudan ebolavirus vaccine in the U.S.

The Sudan ebolavirus vaccine trials are supported by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under multi–year contracts between the organizations.

To date, Sabin has received around $216 million in contract awards from BARDA for furthering vaccine research and development against Sudan ebolavirus and Marburg virus diseases. BARDA and Sabin began working together in September 2019 to develop the two monovalent vaccine candidates.

This project has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under contract numbers 75A50119C00055 and 75A50123C00010.

About the Sabin Vaccine Institute

The Sabin Vaccine Institute is a leading advocate for expanding vaccine access and uptake globally, advancing vaccine research and development, and amplifying vaccine knowledge and innovation. Unlocking the potential of vaccines through partnership, Sabin has built a robust ecosystem of funders, innovators, implementers, practitioners, policy makers and public stakeholders to advance its vision of a future free from preventable diseases. As a non–profit with three decades of experience, Sabin is committed to finding solutions that last and extending the full benefits of vaccines to all people, regardless of who they are or where they live. At Sabin, we believe in the power of vaccines to change the world. For more information, visit www.sabin.org and follow us on X, @SabinVaccine.

About Sabin’s Vaccine R&D Using the cAd3 Platform

In August 2019, Sabin announced exclusive agreements with GSK for Sabin to advance the development of the prophylactic candidate vaccines against the deadly Zaire ebolavirus, Sudan ebolavirus and Marburg virus. The three candidate vaccines were initially developed collaboratively by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Okairos, which was acquired by GSK in 2013. The candidate vaccines, based on GSK’s proprietary cAd3 platform, were further developed by GSK, including the Phase 2 development for the Zaire ebolavirus vaccine. Under the agreements between GSK and Sabin, Sabin exclusively licensed the technology for all three candidate vaccines and acquired certain patent rights specific to these vaccines.

About the Makerere University Walter Reed Project

MUWRP is a non–profit biomedical research organization with a mission to mitigate disease threats through quality research, health care and disease surveillance. The project’s scope includes, among others; clinical research in infectious and non–infectious diseases such as HIV, Ebola, Marburg, COVID–19, Influenza and Influenza–like illnesses, and neglected tropical diseases such as Schistosomiasis, among others. A major part of the clinical research are clinical trials, where the MUWRP has conducted more than 12 phase 1 and 2 vaccine clinical trials including the first Ebola vaccine trial in Africa.

Media Contact:
Monika Guttman
Media Relations Specialist
Sabin Vaccine Institute
+1 (202) 662–1841
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ea30f47–768e–4cd0–b0a3–19adff04b2ab


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9177893)

CSL Behring Announces First Two Patients Treated with HEMGENIX® (etranacogene dezaparvovec) Gene Therapy for Hemophilia B in Europe

MARBURG, Germany, July 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global biotechnology leader CSL Behring (ASX: CSL) today announced that two hemophilia B patients were treated with the gene therapy HEMGENIX® (etranacogene dezaparvovec) at Hemophilia Treatment Centers in France. This milestone achievement makes HEMGENIX® the first gene therapy administered as a treatment in a real–world setting for hemophilia B in Europe.

HEMGENIX® is the first one–time gene therapy approved in Europe for the treatment of adults with severe and moderately severe hemophilia B, an inherited bleeding disorder caused by the lack of Factor IX (a protein needed to produce blood clots to stop bleeding). It is used in adults without a history of Factor IX inhibitors.1

Following European Commission approval, HEMGENIX® was the first ever therapy to be granted Direct Access in France2, thus enabling the first patients to be treated in Europe outside of the clinical program.

Though effective, current therapies can be time intensive and require regular treatment that can have a substantial impact on a patient’s daily life.3 HEMGENIX® offers a one–time treatment, allowing people living with hemophilia B to produce their own Factor IX, which can lower the risk of bleeding.4

“Only a few decades ago, gene therapy for hemophilia was a distant concept, which has now become reality. Accordingly, the first two patients treated with HEMGENIX® since receiving European approval is a major accomplishment and a testament to the joint commitment of the hemophilia B community, as well as the access and reimbursement authorities, in bringing innovative therapies to patients,” said Dr Lutz Bonacker SVP and General Manager, CSL Behring Commercial Operations Europe. “This milestone has been made possible by the innovative Direct Access scheme adopted in France, allowing patients to benefit from early access to pioneering treatments. We are encouraged to see increasing access to gene therapies in European countries and are fully committed to ensuring that access to potentially life–changing treatment continues.”

HEMGENIX® was granted conditional marketing authorisation by the European Commission (EC) for the European Union and European Economic Area in February 2023, following approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2022. It has also been approved by Health Canada, the United Kingdom's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Switzerland’s Swissmedic and Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

The multi–year clinical development of HEMGENIX® was led by uniQure and sponsorship of the clinical trials transitioned to CSL after it licensed global rights to commercialise the treatment.

About Hemophilia B

Hemophilia B is a life–threatening rare disease. People with the condition are particularly vulnerable to bleeds in their joints, muscles, and internal organs, leading to pain, swelling, and joint damage. Current treatments for moderate to severe hemophilia B include life–long prophylactic infusions of factor IX to temporarily replace or supplement low levels of the blood–clotting factor.  

About HEMGENIX®

HEMGENIX® is a gene therapy that reduces the rate of abnormal bleeding in eligible people with hemophilia B by enabling the body to continuously produce factor IX, the deficient protein in hemophilia B. It uses AAV5, a non–infectious viral vector, called an adeno–associated virus (AAV). The AAV5 vector carries the Padua gene variant of Factor IX (FIX–Padua) to the target cells in the liver, generating factor IX proteins that are 5x–8x more active than normal. These genetic instructions remain in the target cells, but generally do not become a part of a person’s own DNA. Once delivered, the new genetic instructions allow the cellular machinery to produce stable levels of factor IX.

About the Pivotal HOPE–B Trial

The pivotal Phase III HOPE–B trial is an ongoing, multinational, open–label, single–arm study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HEMGENIX®. Fifty–four adult hemophilia B patients classified as having moderately severe to severe hemophilia B and requiring prophylactic factor IX replacement therapy were enrolled in a prospective, six–month or longer observational period during which time they continued to use their current standard of care therapy to establish a baseline Annual Bleeding Rate (ABR). After the six–month lead–in period, patients received a single intravenous administration of HEMGENIX® at the 2×10^13 gc/kg dose. Patients were not excluded from the trial based on pre–existing neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) to AAV5.

A total of 54 patients received a single dose of HEMGENIX® in the pivotal trial, with 52 patients completing at least three years of follow–up. The primary endpoint in the pivotal HOPE–B study was ABR 52 weeks after achievement of stable factor IX expression (months 7 to 18) compared with the six–month lead–in period. For this endpoint, ABR was measured from month seven to month 18 after infusion, ensuring the observation period represented a steady–state factor IX transgene expression. Secondary endpoints included assessment of factor IX activity.

No serious treatment–related adverse reactions were reported. One death resulting from urosepsis and cardiogenic shock in a 77–year–old patient at 65 weeks following dosing was considered unrelated to treatment by investigators and the company sponsor. A serious adverse event of hepatocellular carcinoma was determined to be unrelated to treatment with HEMGENIX® by independent molecular tumour characterization and vector integration analysis. No inhibitors to factor IX were reported. 

Long–term three–year data presented at the 17th Annual Congress of the European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders (EAHAD) 2024 continue to reinforce the potential long–lasting efficacy and safety of HEMGENIX® and the ongoing benefit of this treatment for people living with hemophilia B.

About CSL
CSL (ASX:CSL; USOTC:CSLLY) is a global biotechnology company with a dynamic portfolio of lifesaving medicines, including those that treat hemophilia and immune deficiencies, vaccines to prevent influenza, and therapies in iron deficiency and nephrology. Since our start in 1916, we have been driven by our promise to save lives using the latest technologies. Today, CSL – including our three businesses: CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus and CSL Vifor – provides lifesaving products to patients in more than 100 countries and employs 32,000 people. Our unique combination of commercial strength, R&D focus and operational excellence enables us to identify, develop and deliver innovations so our patients can live life to the fullest. For inspiring stories about the promise of biotechnology, visit CSL.com/Vita. For more information about CSL, visit CSL.com.

Media Contacts
Stephanie Fuchs
Mobile: +49 151 584 388 60
Email: [email protected]

References

1 European Medicines Agency. First Gene therapy to treat haemophilia B. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/first–gene–therapy–treat–haemophilia–b. [Accessed May 2024].
2 Republique Française. Légifrance: Article 62 of Law No. 2021–1754. Available at: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000048551003 [Accessed May 2024].
3 Leebeek, F & Miesbach, W. (2021) Gene therapy for haemophilia: a review on clinical benefit, limitations, and remaining issues. Blood. Vol 138, Issue 11. pp923–931.
4 Coppens M et al. Etranacogene dezaparvovec gene therapy for haemophilia B (HOPE–B): 24–month post–hoc efficacy and safety data from a single–arm, multicentre, phase 3 trial. The Lancet Haematology 2024; 11(4):E265–E275.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1000969961)

Fortrea lance un studio d’innovation en IA pour galvaniser les solutions technologiques et humaines afin d’améliorer la réalisation des essais cliniques

DURHAM, État de Caroline du Nord, 28 juin 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fortrea (Nasdaq : FTRE), un organisme de recherche sous contrat (« ORC ») de premier plan au niveau mondial, a annoncé aujourd’hui le lancement de son studio d’innovation en intelligence artificielle (« IA »), marquant ainsi un investissement stratégique visant à remodeler l’exécution des essais cliniques aujourd’hui et à l’avenir.

Le studio développera et déploiera des technologies d’IA et d’apprentissage automatique visant à favoriser la rapidité, l’agilité, la qualité et le renforcement de la sécurité des patients dans le processus de recherche clinique en équipant et en habilitant les personnes à se concentrer sur l’élément humain critique des essais cliniques.

« Partout dans le monde, des patients attendent des traitements novateurs qui changeront leur vie. Grâce à l’IA, nous avons désormais le pouvoir — et l’obligation — de les aider à trouver des solutions plus rapidement », a déclaré Alejandro Martinez Galindo, directeur des systèmes d’information de Fortrea, avant d’ajouter :

« Le studio d’innovation en IA de Fortrea offrira des capacités technologiques améliorées qui permettront aux systèmes dotés d’IA d’exécuter des processus de pointe, tels que des simulations d’essai, des analyses prédictives et la reconnaissance de motifs, ainsi que des tâches administratives répétitives, « adaptées aux machines ». Cela permet de libérer la disponibilité des personnes pour qu’elles puissent apporter leur créativité humaine et leur connexion à l’essai clinique de demain et se concentrer sur ce qui compte : le patient. »

Le studio d’innovation en IA de Fortrea vise à :

  • établir des partenariats au sein de Fortrea et avec nos clients afin de fournir des solutions technologiques pour des stratégies d’innovation sur mesure pour les centres et les promoteurs ;
  • développer de nouvelles innovations technologiques nettes qui améliorent de manière globale la réalisation des essais cliniques pour les promoteurs, les centres, les patients et nos équipes ; et
  • soutenir l’infrastructure et les opérations existantes avec une technologie améliorée afin de permettre de nouvelles et meilleures méthodes de travail et créer les meilleures expériences pour les utilisateurs.

Les technologies en cours de développement dans le studio comprennent la collecte de données à l’aide de smartphones, des modèles linguistiques spécialisés à grande échelle pour la compréhension et la génération de textes, l’IA symbolique avec une logique à valeurs réelles (c.–à–d. la construction d’une logique de décision à l’aide de scénarios et de données en situation réelle), la réalité mixte et l’intelligence augmentée, l’exploration de données avancées et l’analyse prédictive, ainsi que le jumelage numérique.

L’application stratégique de ces technologies devrait permettre des avancées significatives en matière de recrutement et de fidélisation des patients, de création et d’optimisation des protocoles, de contrôle de la qualité en fonction des risques, ainsi que de rapidité et de qualité globales des prestations. Ces technologies peuvent également améliorer l’expérience des patients et la productivité des clients, des centres et des employés de Fortrea.

Les développements du studio d’innovation en IA seront essentiels pour la plateforme technologique clinique de Fortrea, qui est conçue pour intégrer la technologie des essais cliniques dans une expérience utilisateur, indépendante de la localisation, omnicanale et basée sur les personas, accessible à partir d’un seul écran.

« Fortrea se concentre sur une vision future du secteur des ORC, ce qui nous permet de construire POUR l’avenir plutôt que POUR le passé », a déclaré Brian Dolan, vice–président du Département d’intelligence artificielle et d’apprentissage automatique, avant d’ajouter : « Nous accordons une grande attention au développement et au déploiement responsables et éthiques de l’IA, en privilégiant les bonnes actions pour les bonnes raisons et en protégeant la sécurité et la vie privée des patients, ainsi que la propriété intellectuelle de nos clients. »

À propos de Fortrea
Fortrea (Nasdaq : FTRE) est l’un des principaux fournisseurs mondiaux de solutions de développement clinique dans le secteur des sciences de la vie. Nous nous associons à des entreprises émergentes et établies du secteur biopharmaceutique, de la biotechnologie, des dispositifs médicaux et du diagnostic pour stimuler l’innovation dans le domaine de la santé et accélérer la mise à disposition de traitements révolutionnaires pour les patients. Fortrea propose des services de gestion d’essais cliniques de phase I à IV, de pharmacologie clinique et de consulting. Nos solutions s’appuient sur 30 ans d’expérience dans 20 domaines thérapeutiques, une passion pour la rigueur scientifique, des connaissances exceptionnelles et un solide réseau de centres de recherche. Notre équipe talentueuse et diversifiée répartie dans plus de 90 pays est dimensionnée pour fournir des solutions ciblées et agiles à nos clients, partout dans le monde. Pour en savoir plus sur la manière dont Fortrea est un moteur d’influence du pipeline au patient, rendez–vous sur Fortrea.com et suivez–nous sur LinkedIn et X (anciennement Twitter).

Coordonnées de Fortrea :
Hima Inguva (Investisseurs) – 877–495–0816, [email protected]
Jennifer Minx (Médias) – 919–410–4195, [email protected]
Kate Dillon (Médias) – 646–818–9115, [email protected]


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9170901)

Fortrea startet KI-Innovationsstudio, um Technologie und menschliche Lösungen zur Verbesserung der Durchführung klinischer Studien zu bündeln

DURHAM, N.C., June 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE), ein führendes globales Auftragsforschungsinstitut (CRO), gab heute die Einführung seines Innovationsstudios für künstliche Intelligenz (KI) bekannt und signalisiert damit eine strategische Investition in die Neugestaltung der Durchführung von klinischen Studien heute und in Zukunft.

Das Studio wird KI–Technologien und Technologien für maschinelles Lernen (ML) entwickeln und einsetzen, um den klinischen Forschungsprozess zu beschleunigen, flexibler zu gestalten, die Qualität zu verbessern und die Patientensicherheit zu erhöhen, indem es die Mitarbeitenden in die Lage versetzt, sich auf das kritische menschliche Element der klinischen Studien zu konzentrieren.

„Weltweit warten Patienten auf neue, lebensverändernde Behandlungen. Mit KI haben wir jetzt die Möglichkeit – und die Verpflichtung – ihnen schneller Lösungen zu liefern“, sagte Alejandro Martinez Galindo, Chief Information Officer von Fortrea.

„Das KI–Innovationstudio von Fortrea wird erweiterte technologische Fähigkeiten ermöglichen, die KI–fähigen Systemen erlauben, innovative Prozesse wie Versuchssimulationen, prädiktive Analysen und Mustererkennung sowie sich wiederholende, administrative, 'maschinenfreundliche Aufgaben' durchzuführen. Das gibt Menschen die Freiheit, ihre menschliche Kreativität und Verbundenheit in die klinische Studie von morgen einzubringen und sich auf das zu konzentrieren, was zählt: den Patienten.“

Das KI–Innovationsstudio von Fortrea zielt auf Folgendes ab:

  • Partnerschaft mit Fortrea und unseren Kunden, um Technologielösungen für maßgeschneiderte Innovationsstrategien für Standorte und Sponsoren zu entwickeln;
  • Entwicklung neuer technologischer Innovationen, die die Durchführung von klinischen Studien für Sponsoren, Standorte, Patienten und unsere Teams ganzheitlich verbessern; und
  • Unterstützung bestehender Infrastruktur und Abläufe durch verbesserte Technologie, um neue, verbesserte Arbeitsweisen zu ermöglichen und erstklassige Benutzererfahrungen zu schaffen.

Zu den Technologien, die im Studio entwickelt werden, gehören Smartphone–gestützte Datenerfassung, spezialisierte große Sprachmodelle für Textverständnis und –generierung, symbolische KI mit realwertiger Logik (d.h. Aufbau von Entscheidungslogik unter Verwendung von Szenarien und Daten aus der realen Welt), gemischte Realität und erweiterte Intelligenz, fortgeschrittenes Data Mining und prädiktive Analysen sowie digitale Zwillinge.

Es wird erwartet, dass die strategische Anwendung dieser Technologien zu bedeutenden Fortschritten bei der Rekrutierung und Bindung von Patienten, der Erstellung/Optimierung von Protokollen, der risikobasierten Qualitätsüberwachung sowie der allgemeinen Bereitstellungsgeschwindigkeit und –qualität führen wird. Diese Technologien können auch zu einem verbesserten Patientenerlebnis und einer höheren Produktivität für Kunden, Standorte und Mitarbeitende von Fortrea führen.

Die Entwicklungen des KI–Innovationsstudios werden für die klinische Technologieplattform von Fortrea von entscheidender Bedeutung sein. Sie soll die Technologie für klinische Studien in eine verbrauchergerechte, ortsunabhängige, kanalübergreifende und personenbezogene Erfahrung integrieren, die über einen einzigen Bildschirm zugänglich ist.

„Fortrea konzentriert sich auf eine Zukunftsvision der CRO–Branche, die uns ermöglicht, FÜR die Zukunft zu bauen und nicht VON der Vergangenheit aus“, sagte Brian Dolan, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. „Wir legen großen Wert auf die verantwortungsvolle und ethische Entwicklung und den Einsatz von KI. Dabei ist es uns wichtig, das Richtige aus den richtigen Gründen zu tun und die Sicherheit der Patienten und den Schutz ihrer Daten sowie das geistige Eigentum unserer Kunden zu schützen.“

Über Fortrea
Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE) ist ein weltweit führender Anbieter von Lösungen für die klinische Entwicklung in der Biowissenschaftsbranche. Wir arbeiten mit aufstrebenden und großen biopharmazeutischen, biotechnologischen, medizintechnischen und diagnostischen Unternehmen zusammen, um Innovationen im Gesundheitswesen voranzutreiben, die das Angebot lebensverändernder Therapien für Patienten beschleunigen. Fortrea bietet Management von klinischen Studien der Phasen I–IV, klinische Pharmakologie und Beratungsdienste an. Die Lösungen von Fortrea basieren auf drei Jahrzehnten Erfahrung in mehr als 20 Therapiegebieten, einer Leidenschaft für wissenschaftliche Strenge, außergewöhnlichen Erkenntnissen und einem starken Netzwerk von Prüfzentren. Unser talentiertes und vielseitiges Team in über 90 Ländern ist so skaliert, dass wir unseren Kunden weltweit gezielte und flexible Lösungen anbieten können. Mehr darüber, wie Fortrea zu einer transformativen Kraft von der Pipeline bis zum Patienten wird, erfahren Sie auf Fortrea.com und wenn Sie uns auf LinkedIn und X (früherTwitter) folgen.

Kontakt zu Fortrea:
Hima Inguva (Investoren) – 877–495–0816, [email protected]
Jennifer Minx (Medien) – 919–410–4195, [email protected]
Kate Dillon (Medien) – 646–818–9115, [email protected]


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9170901)

Fortrea Lança AI Innovation Studio para Galvanizar Tecnologia e Soluções Humanas para Aprimoramento da Entrega de Ensaios Clínicos

DURHAM, N.C., June 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE), uma organização líder global de pesquisa por contrato (CRO), anunciou hoje o lançamento do seu AI Innovation Studio, sinalizando um investimento estratégico na reformulação da execução de ensaios clínicos hoje e no futuro.

O Studio desenvolverá e implantará tecnologias de IA e aprendizado de máquina (ML) para impulsionar a velocidade, agilidade, qualidade e segurança aprimorada do paciente no processo de pesquisa clínica, equipando e capacitando as pessoas a se concentrarem no elemento humano tão essencial nos ensaios clínicos.

“Pacientes de todo o mundo estão esperando por novos tratamentos que irão mudar suas vidas. Com a IA, agora temos o poder – e a obrigação – de ajudar a fornecer soluções para esses pacientes mais rapidamente”, disse o diretor de informações da Fortrea, Alejandro Martinez Galindo.

“O AI Innovation Studio da Fortrea viabilizará os recursos tecnológicos aprimorados que permitirão que os sistemas habilitados para IA executem processos de ponta – como simulações de testes, análises preditivas e reconhecimento de padrões – além de tarefas repetitivas, administrativas e fáceis de operar. Isso permite que as pessoas possam contribuir com a criatividade humana e a conexão com o ensaio clínico futuro e se concentrar no que é o mais importante: o paciente.”

O AI Innovation Studio da Fortrea visa:

  • Estabelecer parcerias em toda a Fortrea e com nossos clientes para fornecimento de soluções tecnológicas para estratégias de inovação sob medida para locais e patrocinadores;
  • Desenvolver inovações tecnológicas novas e inovadoras que aprimorem holisticamente a entrega de ensaios clínicos para patrocinadores, locais, pacientes e nossas equipes; e
  • Apoiar a infraestrutura e as operações existentes com tecnologia aprimorada para viabilizar novas e aprimoradas maneiras de trabalho e criação das melhores experiências de usuário da categoria.

As tecnologias em desenvolvimento no Studio incluem coleta de dados habilitada para smartphones; grandes modelos de linguagens especializados para compreensão e geração de texto; IA simbólica com lógica de valor real (ou seja, criação de lógica de decisão com cenários e dados do mundo real); realidade mista e inteligência aumentada; mineração avançada de dados e análise preditiva; e geminação digital.

A aplicação estratégica dessas tecnologias deve resultar em avanços significativos no recrutamento e retenção de pacientes, criação/otimização de protocolos, monitoramento de qualidade baseado em risco e velocidade e qualidade gerais da entrega. Essas tecnologias também podem proporcionar uma melhor experiência para o paciente e maior produtividade para os clientes, locais e funcionários da Fortrea.

Os desenvolvimentos do AI Innovation Studio serão fundamentais para a plataforma de tecnologia clínica da Fortrea que está sendo projetada para integrar a tecnologia de ensaios clínicos em uma experiência de nível de consumidor, independente de localização, omnicanal e baseada em persona, acessível por meio de uma única tela.

“A Fortrea está focada em uma visão de futuro da indústria de CRO que nos permite criar Voltados para o futuro e Não para o passado”, disse Brian Dolan, Vice–Presidente de Inteligência Artificial e Aprendizado de Máquina. “Estamos sendo bem cautelosos e levando em consideração o desenvolvimento e a implantação responsáveis e éticos da IA, priorizando fazer a coisa certa pelas razões certas e protegendo a segurança e a privacidade do paciente e a propriedade intelectual dos nossos clientes.”

Sobre a Fortrea
A Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE) é fornecedora líder global de soluções para o desenvolvimento clínico para a indústria de ciências da vida. Fazemos parcerias com grandes e emergentes empresas biofarmacêuticas, de biotecnologia, de dispositivos médicos e de diagnóstico para impulsionar a inovação na saúde que acelera terapias que mudam a vida dos pacientes. A Fortrea fornece gerenciamento de testes clínicos de fase I–IV, farmacologia clínica e serviços de consultoria. As soluções da Fortrea utilizam suas três décadas de experiência abrangendo mais de 20 áreas terapêuticas, sua dedicação ao rigor científico, insights excepcionais e uma forte rede de pesquisadores. Nossa equipe talentosa e diversificada que trabalha em mais de 90 países é dimensionada para fornecer soluções focadas e ágeis para clientes de todo o mundo. Saiba mais sobre como a Fortrea está se tornando uma força transformadora de pipeline para pacientes na Fortrea.com e siga–nos no LinkedIn e X (antigo Twitter).

Contatos da Fortrea:
Hima Inguva (Investidores) – 877–495–0816, [email protected]
Jennifer Minx (Mídia) – 919–410–4195, [email protected]
Kate Dillon (Mídia) – 646–818–9115, [email protected]


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9170901)

Fortrea Launches AI Innovation Studio to Galvanize Technology and Human Solutions to Improve Clinical Trial Delivery

DURHAM, N.C., June 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE), a leading global contract research organization (CRO), today announced the launch of its artificial intelligence (AI) Innovation Studio, signaling a strategic investment in reshaping the execution of clinical trials today and into the future.

The studio will develop and deploy AI and machine learning (ML) technologies to drive speed, agility, quality and enhanced patient safety in the clinical research process by equipping and empowering people to focus on the critical human element of clinical trials.

“Patients around the world are waiting for novel, life–changing treatments. With AI, we now have the power—and the obligation—to help deliver solutions to them faster,” said Fortrea’s Chief Information Officer Alejandro Martinez Galindo.

“Fortrea’s AI Innovation Studio will enable enhanced technological capabilities that will allow AI–enabled systems to perform cutting–edge processes—such as trial simulations, predictive analytics and pattern recognition—as well as repetitive, administrative, ‘machine–friendly tasks’. This frees up people to contribute human creativity and connection to the clinical trial of tomorrow and focus on what counts: the patient.”

Fortrea’s AI Innovation Studio aims to:

  • Partner across Fortrea and with our customers to provide technology solutions for bespoke site and sponsor innovation strategies;
  • Develop net new, greenfield technology innovations that holistically improve the delivery of clinical trials for sponsors, sites, patients and our teams; and
  • Support existing infrastructure and operations with enhanced technology to enable new, improved ways of working and create best–in–class user experiences.

Technologies under development in the studio include smartphone–enabled data collection; specialized large language models for text comprehension and generation; symbolic AI with real–valued logic (i.e., building decision logic using real–world scenarios and data); mixed reality and augmented intelligence; advanced data mining and predictive analytics; and digital twinning.

Strategic application of these technologies is expected to result in meaningful advancements in patient recruitment and retention, protocol creation/optimization, risk–based quality monitoring and overall delivery speed and quality. These technologies can also deliver an improved patient experience and greater productivity for Fortrea customers, sites and employees.

Developments from the AI Innovation Studio will be critical to Fortrea’s clinical technology platform, which is being designed to integrate clinical trial technology into a consumer–grade, location–agnostic, omni–channel, persona–based experience accessible thorough a single screen.

“Fortrea is focused on a future vision of the CRO industry, allowing us to build TO the future rather than FROM the past,” said Brian Dolan, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. “We are exercising great care and consideration to the responsible and ethical development and deployment of AI, prioritizing doing the right thing for the right reasons and protecting patient safety and privacy, and the intellectual property of our customers.”

About Fortrea
Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE) is a leading global provider of clinical development solutions to the life sciences industry. We partner with emerging and large biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and diagnostic companies to drive healthcare innovation that accelerates life–changing therapies to patients. Fortrea provides phase I–IV clinical trial management, clinical pharmacology and consulting services. Fortrea’s solutions leverage three decades of experience spanning more than 20 therapeutic areas, a passion for scientific rigor, exceptional insights and a strong investigator site network. Our talented and diverse team working in more than 90 countries is scaled to deliver focused and agile solutions to customers globally. Learn more about how Fortrea is becoming a transformative force from pipeline to patient at Fortrea.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).

Fortrea Contacts:
Hima Inguva (Investors) – 877–495–0816, [email protected]
Jennifer Minx (Media) – 919–410–4195, [email protected]
Kate Dillon (Media) – 646–818–9115, [email protected]


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9170022)

Derm-Biome Pharmaceuticals’ topical therapy shows positive results in preclinical skin cancer trial: drug prevents the development of precancerous skin conditions and treats existing skin cancers with no observable side effects. 

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The rates of precancerous skin conditions and skin cancers are soaring in many parts of the world. Actinic keratosis (AK) is the most common form of precancer, with over 40 million Americans a year developing this condition. Treating AKs before the cells become cancerous and spread to other parts of the body is crucial. For those patients with multiple AKs, common treatment options are chemotherapy creams and photodynamic therapy. Although effective, these treatments come with significant side effects, such as redness, blistering, and peeling, with recovery times that can be lengthy and uncomfortable. The global actinic keratosis treatment market size is projected to reach as high as $10 billion USD by 2031, fuelled by increasing cases of AK and rising healthcare spending.

Derm–Biome Pharmaceuticals is a Vancouver–based biopharmaceutical company that has developed a topical anticancer treatment for patients with or at high risk of developing multiple AKs. In a recent UV–induced skin cancer trial, mice were exposed to UVB radiation over a period of 25 weeks. The prolonged exposure mimics chronic sun exposure over time and replicates the gradual progression from precancerous skin conditions to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Topical application of Derm–Biome’s compound prior to UVB exposure significantly reduced the number and size of precancer lesions, while treatment blocked the progression of squamous cell carcinoma tumors.

Frédéric Couture, Researcher and Head of Pharmaceutical Sciences at TransBIOtech: “My research group conducted this study using Derm–Biome’s compound. The compound exhibited a significant protective effect without toxicity or side effects. Moreover, existing tumor progression was blocked with drug treatment. We actually noticed an improvement to the look of skin treated with the compound.”

Dr. Poul Sorensen, University of British Columbia Professor and Distinguished Scientist at BC Cancer Research Centre, and Derm–Biome CSO: “The results of these studies are very promising. We tested our compound using a very aggressive UV–induced skin cancer model. We observed highly significant decreases in the number of tumors in treated mice and strong preventative effects when mice were pretreated with the compound. These findings suggest that our compound has great potential to be a highly effective and well–tolerated agent for both the treatment and prevention of squamous cell carcinoma.”

Derm–Biome CEO Gordon Eberwein: “Currently available topical treatments cause debilitating side effects that make them unattractive to patients. There is a real need for safer and more targeted topical therapies.”

Derm–Biome expects to start topical formulation development this summer, with IND–enabling studies slated to begin in Q4.

About Derm–Biome Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Derm–Biome Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a preclinical biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving skin health. We are developing novel topical therapies for inflammatory skin diseases and precancer/non–melanoma skin cancers that are both highly effective and well tolerated by skin.

Derm–Biome is about to kick off a $3M USD seed funding round. For investor inquiries please contact:

Gordon Eberwein
geberwein@derm–biome.com
https://derm–biomepharmaceuticals.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/54b222f0–2c93–417d–8bba–33853a2dd94a

 


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9091271)

Para Reforçar os Esforços Globais no Combate às Bactérias Resistentes a Antibióticos, Cientistas do KFSH&RC Descobrem Nova Espécie de Bactéria: Riyadhensis

RIADE, Arábia Saudita, March 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Em um desenvolvimento revolucionário, cientistas do King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) identificaram uma nova espécie de bactéria chamada “Stenotrophomonas Riyadhensis” por meio da aplicação da nova tecnologia de sequenciamento total de genoma (whole–genome sequencing – WGS). Esta descoberta é um grande avanço na compreensão de como as bactérias interagem com os medicamentos existentes, abrindo caminho para estratégias terapêuticas inovadoras. Esses esforços são essenciais na luta global contra bactérias resistentes a antibióticos, destacando as capacidades avançadas de pesquisa do KFSH&RC e seu papel de liderança na promoção de descobertas científicas e no aprimoramento do atendimento ao paciente.

A descoberta da “Riyadhensis” destaca o potencial dos testes genômicos para inovar métodos diagnósticos e terapêuticos promissores, bem como aprofundar a compreensão dos mecanismos de resistência bacteriana, particularmente em ambientes sensíveis, como unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI) e pacientes com sistemas imunológicos comprometidos. Isso representa um progresso substancial no combate à resistência a antibióticos, no desenvolvimento de produtos farmacêuticos e na prevenção da propagação de doenças.

Esta bactéria recém–identificada foi descoberta em meio a uma investigação profunda de uma suspeita de surto na UTI do KFSH&RC em 2019, destacando desafios anteriormente não reconhecidos pelas comunidades científicas e médicas globais na identificação e combate a novas cepas bacterianas. Inicialmente considerada uma variante da Pseudomonas aeruginosa, uma bactéria causadora de doenças conhecida por sua resistência a antibióticos, a análise subsequente com o WGS revelou que ela não compartilhava as características comuns do gênero Pseudomonas. Em vez disso, ficou confirmado que a Riyadhensis pertence à família Stenotrophomonas, com uma composição genética e características morfológicas únicas, ao contrário de quaisquer outros membros cientificamente reconhecidos.

O Dr. Ahmad Al Qahtani, Chefe do Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas e Imunidade do Centro de Pesquisa do KFSH&RC disse: “Os métodos tradicionais de identificação bacteriana podem levar a erros na identificação, mas a análise com WGS oferece uma abordagem exata e direcionada que garante uma identificação precisa e fornece insights detalhados sobre os mecanismos de resistência, provando sua importância nas investigações de surtos de doenças e melhorias no atendimento ao paciente.”

O Dr. Reem Almaghrabi, Chefe de Doenças Infecciosas de Transplantes do Centro de Excelência em Transplantes de Órgãos do KFSH&RC, destacou a importância da descoberta na defesa do monitoramento contínuo e do uso de tecnologias avançadas, como o WGS, no desenvolvimento de métodos de diagnóstico mais rápidos e precisos. Além disso, essa abordagem estabelece as bases para a colaboração científica em todos os níveis, aumentando os esforços globais de combate à resistência aos antibióticos.

A compreensão das nuances das novas espécies bacterianas, particularmente sua resistência a antibióticos, é crucial nos cuidados de saúde modernos e serve como o principal meio de combate de infecções bacterianas. A evolução da resistência dessas bactérias é uma ameaça significativa e constante à saúde humana.

Vale ressaltar que o KFSH&RC foi classificado em primeiro lugar no Oriente Médio e na África e 20º em todo o mundo na lista das 250 melhores instituições de saúde do mundo pelo segundo ano consecutivo, de acordo com o ranking Brand Finance de 2024. Além disso, no mesmo ano, ele foi classificado entre os melhores hospitais do mundo pela prestigiada revista Newsweek.

O King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre é dos líderes globais de prestação de cuidados de saúde especializados, condução de inovação, e um avançado centro de pesquisa e educação médica. Por meio de parcerias estratégicas com proeminentes instituições locais, regionais e internacionais, o hospital se dedica ao avanço de tecnologias médicas e elevação dos padrões de cuidado da saúde em todo o mundo.

Sobre o King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC):

O King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) é uma instituição de saúde líder no Oriente Médio, idealizada para ser a escolha ideal para todos os pacientes que procuram cuidados de saúde especializados. O hospital tem uma longa história de tratamento de câncer, doença cardiovascular, transplante de órgãos, neurociências e genética.

Em 2024, o “Brand Finance” classificou o King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre como o melhor Centro Médico Acadêmico do Oriente Médio e da África e entre os 20 melhores do mundo. Além disso, em 2024 ele foi reconhecido como um dos Melhores Hospitais do Mundo pela revista Newsweek, e o número 1 na Arábia Saudita.

Como parte da Saudi Vision 2030, um decreto real foi emitido em 21 de dezembro de 2021 visando transformar o hospital em uma entidade independente, sem fins lucrativos e de propriedade do governo, abrindo caminho para um programa abrangente de transformação com objetivo de alcançar a liderança global em cuidados de saúde por meio da excelência e inovação.

INFORMAÇÃO DE CONTATO:

Para mais informações, contate:

Sr. Essam Al–Zahrani, Dirigente Interino de Assuntos de Mídia, 0555254429

Sr. Abdullah Al–Awn, Editor Sênior de Mídia, 0556294232

Foto deste comunicado disponível em https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4299c01–0079–498b–8350–bd085d769150


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9079374)

Im Rahmen der weltweiten Bemühungen zur Bekämpfung antibiotikaresistenter Bakterien entdecken KFSH&RC‑Wissenschaftler die neue Bakterienspezies: Riyadhensis

RIAD, Saudi–Arabien, March 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In einer bahnbrechenden Entwicklung haben Wissenschaftler des King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) durch die Anwendung der Technologie der Ganzgenomsequenzierung (WGS) eine neue Bakterienart mit der Bezeichnung „Stenotrophomonas Riyadhensis“ identifiziert. Diese Entdeckung bedeutet einen großen Fortschritt im Verständnis der Wechselwirkungen zwischen Bakterien und bestehenden Medikamenten und ebnet den Weg für innovative therapeutische Strategien. Solche Bemühungen sind im weltweiten Kampf gegen antibiotikaresistente Bakterien von entscheidender Bedeutung und unterstreichen die modernen Forschungskapazitäten des KFSH&RC und seine führende Rolle bei der Förderung wissenschaftlicher Entdeckungen und der Verbesserung der Patientenversorgung.

Die Entdeckung von „Riyadhensis“ unterstreicht das Potenzial genomischer Tests für die Entwicklung vielversprechender diagnostischer und therapeutischer Methoden und vertieft das Verständnis bakterieller Resistenzmechanismen, insbesondere in sensiblen Umgebungen wie Intensivstationen und bei Patienten mit geschwächtem Immunsystem. Dies stellt einen erheblichen Fortschritt bei der Bekämpfung von Antibiotikaresistenzen, der Entwicklung von Arzneimitteln und der Verhinderung der Ausbreitung von Krankheiten dar.

Diese neu identifizierte Bakterienart wurde im Rahmen einer eingehenden Untersuchung eines vermuteten Ausbruchs auf der Intensivstation des KFSH&RC im Jahr 2019 entdeckt und verdeutlicht die Herausforderungen, die bisher von der weltweiten wissenschaftlichen und medizinischen Gemeinschaft bei der Identifizierung und Bekämpfung neuer Bakterienstämme nicht erkannt wurden. Ursprünglich ging man davon aus, es handele sich um eine Variante von Pseudomonas aeruginosa, einem krankheitsverursachenden Bakterium, das für seine Antibiotikaresistenz bekannt ist. Eine anschließende WGS‑Analyse ergab jedoch, dass es nicht die gemeinsamen Merkmale der Gattung Pseudomonas aufweist. Stattdessen wurde festgestellt, dass Riyadhensis zur Stenotrophomonas‑Familie gehört, mit einer einzigartigen genetischen Zusammensetzung und morphologischen Merkmalen, die sich von allen anderen wissenschaftlich anerkannten Arten unterscheidet.

Dr. Ahmad Al Qahtani, Leiter der Abteilung für Infektionskrankheiten und Immunität im Forschungszentrum des KFSH&RC kommentierte: „Herkömmliche Methoden zur Identifizierung von Bakterien können zu einer falschen Identifizierung führen. Im Gegensatz dazu bietet die WGS–Analyse einen präzisen und zielgerichteten Ansatz, der eine genaue Identifizierung gewährleistet und detaillierte Einblicke in die Resistenzmechanismen liefert, was ihre Bedeutung bei der Untersuchung von Krankheitsausbrüchen und der Verbesserung der Patientenversorgung unter Beweis stellt.“

Dr. Reem Almaghrabi, Leiter der Abteilung für Infektionskrankheiten nach der Transplantation am Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence des KFSH&RC, hob die Bedeutung der Entdeckung hervor und plädierte für eine kontinuierliche Überwachung und den Einsatz fortschrittlicher Technologien wie WGS zur Entwicklung schnellerer und genauerer Diagnosemethoden. Zudem schafft dieser Ansatz die Grundlage für eine wissenschaftliche Zusammenarbeit auf allen Ebenen, wodurch die weltweiten Bemühungen zur Bekämpfung der Antibiotikaresistenz verstärkt werden.

Das Verständnis der Nuancen neuer Bakterienarten, insbesondere ihrer Antibiotikaresistenz, ist für die moderne Gesundheitsfürsorge von entscheidender Bedeutung und dient als wichtigstes Mittel zur Bekämpfung bakterieller Infektionen. Da diese Bakterien ihre Resistenz ständig weiterentwickeln, stellen sie eine erhebliche und anhaltende Gefahr für die menschliche Gesundheit dar.

Es ist bemerkenswert, dass KFSH&RC laut den Rankings von Brand Finance 2024 in der Liste der 250 besten Gesundheitseinrichtungen weltweit zum zweiten Mal in Folge den ersten Platz im Nahen Osten und in Afrika und den 20. Platz weltweit belegt. Darüber hinaus wurde es im selben Jahr von der renommierten Zeitschrift Newsweek zu den besten Krankenhäusern der Welt gezählt.

Das King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre ist weltweit führend in der Bereitstellung spezialisierter Gesundheitsversorgung, treibt Innovationen voran und dient als Zentrum für medizinische Forschung und Ausbildung. Durch strategische Partnerschaften mit bekannten lokalen, regionalen und internationalen Instituten engagiert sich das Krankenhaus für die Weiterentwicklung medizinischer Technologien und die Anhebung der Standards im Gesundheitswesen weltweit.

Über das King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC):

Das King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) ist eine führende Gesundheitseinrichtung im Nahen Osten, die sich zum Ziel gesetzt hat, die optimale Wahl für jeden Patienten zu sein, der eine spezialisierte Gesundheitsversorgung sucht. Das Krankenhaus kann auf eine lange Geschichte in der Behandlung von Krebserkrankungen, Herz–Kreislauf–Erkrankungen, Organtransplantationen, Neurowissenschaften und Genetik zurückblicken.

Im Jahr 2024 stufte „Brand Finance“ das King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre als das beste akademische medizinische Zentrum im Nahen Osten und in Afrika und als eines der 20 besten weltweit ein. Darüber hinaus wurde das Krankenhaus im Jahr 2024 von der Zeitschrift Newsweek als eines der besten Krankenhäuser der Welt ausgezeichnet und im Königreich Saudi–Arabien auf Platz 1 gesetzt.

Im Rahmen von Saudi Vision 2030 wurde am 21. Dezember 2021 ein königliches Dekret erlassen, das die Umwandlung des Krankenhauses in eine unabhängige, gemeinnützige Einrichtung in staatlichem Besitz vorsieht und den Weg für ein umfassendes Transformationsprogramm ebnet, das darauf abzielt, durch Exzellenz und Innovation eine globale Führungsposition im Gesundheitswesen zu erreichen.

KONTAKTINFORMATIONEN

Für weitere Informationen kontaktieren Sie bitte:

Essam Al–Zahrani, Media Affairs Acting Head, 0555254429

Abdullah Al–Awn, Senior Media Editor, 0556294232

Ein Foto zu dieser Mitteilung ist verfügbar unter https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4299c01–0079–498b–8350–bd085d769150

 


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9079374)

Les scientifiques de l’hôpital spécialisé et centre de recherche King Faisal contribuent aux efforts internationaux de lutte contre l’antibiorésistance des bactéries en identifiant une toute nouvelle espèce de bactérie : Riyadhensis

RIYAD, Arabie saoudite, 26 mars 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Des scientifiques de l’hôpital spécialisé et centre de recherche King Faisal (ou « KFSH&RC » pour King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre) ont découvert une nouvelle espèce de bactérie, appelée « Stenotrophomonas Riyadhensis », grâce à l’application de la technologie de séquençage du génome entier (ou SGE). Cette découverte constitue une avancée majeure dans la compréhension de l’interaction entre les bactéries et les médicaments existants, et ouvre ainsi la voie à de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques. Dans le cadre de la lutte mondiale contre les bactéries antiobiorésistantes, de tels efforts sont essentiels et soulignent à la fois les capacités de recherche avancées du KFSH&RC et son rôle moteur de première importance dans la découverte scientifique et l’amélioration des soins aux patients.

La découverte de « Riyadhensis » renforce le potentiel des tests génomiques dans l’innovation de méthodes diagnostiques et thérapeutiques prometteuses, mais aussi dans le développement de la connaissance des mécanismes de résistance bactérienne, en particulier dans des environnements sensibles tels que les unités de soins intensifs (USI) et chez les patients dont le système immunitaire est affaibli. Elle représente un net progrès dans la lutte contre l'antibiorésistance des bactéries, le développement de produits pharmaceutiques et la prévention de la propagation des maladies.

Cette nouvelle bactérie a été découverte dans le cadre d’une enquête approfondie sur une épidémie présumée dans l’USI du KFSH&RC en 2019, mettant en évidence des enjeux jusqu’alors insoupçonnés par les communautés scientifiques et médicales mondiales dans l’identification et la lutte contre les nouvelles souches bactériennes. La bactérie Riyadhensis a d’abord été considérée comme une variante de Pseudomonas aeruginosa, une bactérie pathogène connue pour sa résistance aux antibiotiques. Or, un test ultérieur de profilage génomique complet a révélé qu’elle ne partageait pas les caractéristiques communes du genre Pseudomonas. Elle appartient au contraire à la famille des Stenotrophomonas, dont la composition génétique et les caractéristiques morphologiques sont uniques, à l'inverse de toutes les autres catégories scientifiquement reconnues.

Pour le Dr Ahmad Al Qahtani, chef du département des maladies infectieuses et de l’immunité au centre de recherche du KFSH&RC : « Les méthodes traditionnelles d’identification des bactéries peuvent entraîner des erreurs d’identification. En revanche, l’analyse SGE permet d’adopter une approche précise et ciblée qui garantit une identification exacte en fournissant des éclairages détaillés sur les mécanismes de résistance, ce qui prouve son grand intérêt dans les enquêtes sur les épidémies et l’amélioration des soins aux patients ».

Le Dr Reem Almaghrabi, responsable des maladies infectieuses liées à la transplantation au Centre d’excellence en transplantation d’organes du KFSH&RC, a souligné l’importance de cette découverte en préconisant une surveillance continue et l’utilisation de technologies de pointe telles que le SGE pour mettre au point des méthodes de diagnostic plus rapides et plus précises. En outre, cette approche jette les bases d’une collaboration scientifique transverse, et renforce ainsi les efforts de lutte contre l’antibiorésistance des bactéries à l’échelle mondiale.

Comprendre les nuances des nouvelles espèces bactériennes, en particulier leur résistance aux antibiotiques, apparaît crucial dans les soins de santé modernes, et constitue le principal moyen de lutte contre les infections bactériennes. Étant donné que ces bactéries développent leur résistance en continu, elles constituent une menace importante et permanente pour la santé humaine.

Il convient de rappeler qu’en 2024, Brand Finance a classé le KFSH&RC en tête des établissements de santé de la région MENA, et parmi les 20 premiers de la liste des 250 meilleurs au niveau mondial pour la deuxième année consécutive. La même année, le prestigieux magazine Newsweek l’a également distingué parmi les meilleurs hôpitaux du monde.

L’hôpital spécialisé et centre de recherche King Faisal fait partie des leaders mondiaux en matière de soins de santé spécialisés et d’innovation, et fait office de centre de formation et de recherche médicale avancée. Grâce à des partenariats stratégiques avec d’éminents établissements locaux, régionaux et internationaux, l’hôpital se consacre à faire progresser les technologies médicales et à relever les normes applicables aux soins de santé dans le monde entier.

À propos de l’hôpital spécialisé et centre de recherche King Faisal (ou KFSH&RC)

L’hôpital spécialisé et centre de recherche King Faisal (ou KFSH&RC) est un établissement de soins de santé de premier plan au Moyen–Orient, conçu pour être le choix idéal de tout patient en quête de soins de santé spécialisés. L’hôpital s’enorgueillit d’une riche histoire dans le traitement des cancers, des maladies cardiovasculaires, des transplantations d’organes, des neurosciences et de la génétique.

En 2024, « Brand Finance » l’a classé en tête des centres médicaux universitaires de la région MENA, et parmi les 20 premiers au niveau mondial. En outre, le magazine Newsweek l’a reconnu en 2024 comme l’un des meilleurs hôpitaux du monde, et classé numéro 1 en Arabie saoudite.

Dans le cadre du projet « Saudi Vision 2030 », un décret royal a été publié le 21 décembre 2021, visant la transformation de l’hôpital en une structure indépendante à but non lucratif sous la tutelle du gouvernement. Cette initiative a ouvert la voie à un programme de transformation complet visant à atteindre un leadership mondial dans le domaine des soins de santé grâce à l’excellence et à l’innovation.

COORDONNÉES

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter :

M. Essam Al–Zahrani, chef par intérim des affaires médiatiques, 0555254429

M. Abdullah Al–Awn, rédacteur en chef des médias, 0556294232

Une photo accompagnant ce communiqué est disponible à l’adresse suivante : https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4299c01–0079–498b–8350–bd085d769150

 


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