Message by the Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at WHO - May 2026

• Scientists have identified a new blood marker capable of detecting lung cancer years earlier than traditional imaging scans. • Researchers from the University of Cambridge and DIOSynVax successfully completed the first human clinical trial for a "universal" coronavirus vaccine.

• The COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 exposed critical vulnerabilities in global health systems and their inability to manage large-scale infectious disease outbreaks. • The crisis highlighted several converging risk factors, including agricultural intensification, increased human-animal contact, rapid urbanization, and shifting climatic patterns.

• Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) CEO Annette Bakker reports that over 5,000 potential treatments for rare diseases are currently shelved by pharmaceutical companies. • The organization is working to rescue these dormant drug candidates to provide options for patients with rare conditions who lack viable therapies.

• The Pharmaceutical Journal has released a detailed analysis of the new community pharmacy contract. • The report examines whether the new framework will stabilize medicines funding and evaluates its promises regarding long-term systemic reform.

• President Barrow inaugurated the National Food and Drug Quality Control Laboratory in Brusubi to strengthen the country's health infrastructure. • During the ceremony, the President addressed a previous Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) outbreak, describing it as one of the darkest chapters in the nation's recent health history.

• A new outbreak of the Ebola Bundibugyo virus has emerged, affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and surrounding neighboring countries. • Pharmaceutical and biotech companies are collaborating with global health and humanitarian partners to coordinate a rapid medical response.

• Public Health Today's June 5, 2026 update reports on a current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the release of Phase 3 clinical data for the pancreatic cancer drug daraxonrasib. • Researchers at McMaster University have isolated a new compound from *Streptomyces rimosus* designed to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

• A new study highlights that regular exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, combined with adequate sleep is linked to improved mental health during midlife. • Separate research on mice indicates that diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), specifically omega-3s from fish oil, significantly slowed cancer development.

• Federal initiatives have expanded a drug-price transparency tool and proposed a $50 per month access plan for eligible Medicare beneficiaries using GLP-1 medications. • The new pricing proposal is scheduled to take effect in July 2026, though debates continue regarding actual savings and remaining affordability gaps.

• Former President Trump signed an executive order in April titled “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness” to fast-track research and drug approvals for psychedelic-assisted therapy. • The order aims to increase clinical trial participation and explore innovative research models to treat serious mental health conditions.

• A landmark week in oncology saw pivotal data released for lung, prostate, bladder, and haematological cancers, alongside major capital investments in AI drug discovery, RNA therapeutics, and gene editing. • New data for embolisation-eligible hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showed a 30% incremental improvement over TACE, though overall survival (OS) data remains immature.