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Big pharma AstraZeneca partners with Hong Kong’s CSPC to develop next-gen weight management drugs worldwide. Managing your weight is possible without complicated schedules, multiple pills or daily injections. That’s the vision British-Swedish pharma giant AstraZeneca is chasing with its latest move: a massive $18.5 billion licensing deal with Hong Kong-based CSPC Pharmaceutical Group to develop and commercialize cutting-edge obesity drugs outside China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan [1]. The core of the deal is SYH2082, an injectable drug candidate that’s ready for clinical trials, along with several other programs designed to make weight loss more consistent, effective and patient-friendly. AstraZeneca…

In the complex world of nutritional supplementation, few products carry as much clinical weight as fish oil. From the cardio-protective benefits cited by the American Heart Association to the anti-inflammatory properties praised by elite strength coaches, its reputation is well-earned. However, the most frequent question consumers ask—how much fish oil should I take—rarely has a straightforward answer on the back of the bottle. Most people approach fish oil with a “one-pill-fits-all” mentality, but this leads to significant under-dosing or, in some cases, unnecessary excess. The effectiveness of your supplement depends entirely on your specific biological needs, whether you are trying…

Last week, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) approved a new funding program aimed at accelerating gene therapies for rare diseases by moving away from traditional approaches that develop a single therapy at a time. The initiative sets aside $100 million over two years to create a scalable model for delivering platform-based genetic therapies for rare diseases.  The so-called Rare Disease Acceleration Platform and Innovation and Delivery (RAPID) program aims to build on the recent success story of baby KJ Muldoon. Scientists first shared KJ’s story last year at the annual meeting of the American Society for Gene and…

Hey there. Did you know that heart disease remains the number one killer in the United States? It is a scary thought.  Yet, many people do not realize they are actually in danger. A massive number of Americans unaware of heart risk factors are walking around every single day.  They feel fine, so they assume their hearts are healthy. Unfortunately, this silence is often what makes the condition so deadly. We are currently facing a major US heart disease awareness crisis. Most of us focus on things like accidents or rare illnesses.  However, the real threat is often hiding in…

In the modern landscape of functional nutrition, the smoothie has become the ultimate vessel for “biohacking” one’s daily diet. While greens, protein powders, and frozen fruits are standard fare, one tiny ingredient has revolutionized the texture and nutritional profile of these blended beverages: the chia seed. Integrating chia seeds in smoothies has transformed from a niche health-food trend into a foundational practice for anyone looking to optimize their metabolic health, digestion, and satiety. But why has this specific seed become the “gold standard” smoothie add-in? Unlike many supplements that offer a single benefit, chia seeds are a multifaceted tool. They…

Combining molecular biology and translational research, this postdoctoral researcher explores RNA-driven interventions for bone and hair loss.Image credit:Suryaji Patil, ©iStock.com, Christoph BurgstedtSuryaji Patil is a postdoctoral researcher in Qian Airong’s group at Northwestern Polytechnical University. In this Postdoc Portrait, he shares his passion for biomedical engineering, discusses the relevance of his current research, and outlines the types of therapeutics he hopes to develop.Q | What’s your research background?I currently study and investigate RNA as a new therapeutic molecule and develop RNA-based targeted delivery therapeutics to counter bone and hair loss.Q | How did you first get interested in science? Curiosity.…

In the world of high-performance nutrition and preventative health, fish oil is frequently cited as a “must-have” supplement. Yet, despite its popularity, there remains significant confusion regarding the logistics of its use. Many people invest in high-quality Omega-3 supplements only to see suboptimal results because they overlook one critical factor: when to take fish oil. Supplement timing is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a matter of biological availability. Because the active components of fish oil—Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)—are lipid-based, their absorption is governed by the digestive system’s ability to process fats. Taking your capsules…

Credit: Alena Butusava / iStock / Getty Images Plus The inherited iron disorder hemochromatosis is most common in people from Ireland and in people from the Hebrides in Scotland, shows a comprehensive study from the U.K. Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic condition affecting around one million people in the U.S. Often caused by mutations in the HFE gene, it causes the body to accumulate too much iron. If left unchecked it can cause organ damage and conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Despite it being one of the most common inherited genetic conditions, it is not something included in…

A SanegeneBio researcher at work in the company’s lab. Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, will apply SanegeneBio’s RNA interference (RNAi) platform to develop one of the company’s RNAi programs through a global licensing agreement that could generate up to $1.5 billion for the Chinese biotech. [SanegeneBio] Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, will apply SanegeneBio’s RNA interference (RNAi) platform to develop one of the company’s RNAi programs through a global licensing agreement that could generate up to $1.5 billion for the Chinese biotech. Under the agreement, SanegeneBio has granted Genentech exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize…

About six years ago, Srivatsan Raman, a biochemist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his team took a trip to NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Standing a mile away from the center’s launch pad, the researchers observed a rocket lifting off. Nested within that rocket, riding the countdown towards space, sat vials containing bacteria and bacteria-infecting viruses—bacteriophages—packed and frozen weeks ago. “It was very surreal…This simple box that was living on the shelf in my lab is now aboard the rocket,” recalled Raman. “[It] was a crazy thing to consider.” Raman and his team sent bacteria and bacteriophages to…