Three biotechs with three news updates

• Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that a 4-day course of a mycelium-based fungal supplement reduced adverse reactions in COVID-naive vaccine recipients. • According to a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT04951336) published in BMC Immunology, the supplement also helped sustain antibody levels for up to 6 months.

• President Trump and HHS Secretary Kennedy have implemented sweeping health policy reforms over the last 555 days to combat the chronic disease epidemic and revitalize public health. • Key achievements include securing pledges from insurers, medical societies, and providers to improve national behavioral health quality and best practices.

• The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has issued a new position statement urging specialist medical colleges to increase the transparency of their fees. • This move aims to provide patients with clearer information regarding the costs associated with specialist medical services.

• Pulnovo Medical has enrolled the first two U.S. patients in its PULSE-LHD clinical trial at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. • The trial is conducted under an FDA Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to evaluate pulmonary artery denervation for treating pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease.

• A multinational study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases reveals that drug-resistant hospital infections in Asia are substantial and likely underestimated, especially in low- and middle-income countries. • The report highlights a critical public health crisis where antimicrobial resistance complicates treatment and increases mortality rates across the region.

• Medical experts are highlighting that knee osteoarthritis is not inevitable and can be prevented or managed through specific everyday lifestyle adjustments. • Researchers have identified a metabolic pathway involving the conversion of isoleucine and valine into propionyl-CoA that may contribute to hormone therapy resistance in prostate cancer.

• Mark Orwig participated in a clinical trial for an mRNA vaccine designed to prevent the recurrence of melanoma after surgical tumor removal. • The treatment targets lingering cancer cells that often remain in the body post-surgery, which typically lead to the disease returning.

• COVID-19 is seeing a resurgence in the United States, prompting renewed discussions on the necessity of fall vaccines and the risks of repeat infections. • Recent medical research highlights critical interventions, including a Sept. 1, 2025, JAMA study on germicidal UV light to reduce respiratory infections in long-term care facilities.

• A new analysis published in PLOS Digital Health reveals that of the 1,357 AI-based medical devices authorized by the FDA, only three were tested to determine if they actually improve patient health outcomes. • The study found a significant lack of rigorous validation, noting that only 34 of the cleared devices were linked to registered clinical trials.

• Scientists in India have developed a "smart" cancer drug designed to target tumors more precisely, potentially reducing the reliance on traditional chemotherapy. • In a separate study published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs, researchers from the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital analyzed data from nine studies.

• NanoViricides has received regulatory approval to initiate a Phase II Clinical Trial for NV-387 Oral Gummies. • The trial is being conducted under the leadership of Professor Katoto, with Patrick, a Fogarty Fellow and member of the Institute for Health Metrics, involved in the process.

• Moderna and Merck have reported positive results from a large Phase 3 clinical trial of a personalized mRNA-based cancer vaccine designed to treat melanoma. • Unlike traditional treatments, this therapy trains a patient's own immune system to recognize and destroy the specific cancer cells threatening them.