WHO Critical Priority Fungi: A Comprehensive Review of Antifungal Resistance, Emerging Therapeutic Strategies, and the Potential of Antifungal Peptides

• A narrative review synthesized global data from 2000 to early 2026 to analyze the escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance. • The study utilized surveillance data from the World Health Organization and Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance to outline the scale of the problem.

• The FDA approved a new treatment for pancreatic cancer to help patients fighting one of the deadliest forms of the disease. • Drug manufacturers may offer expanded access programs that allow patients who do not qualify for clinical trials to receive these newly approved therapies.

• A new study released on September 10, 2026, found that statin therapy significantly reduces major heart-related events among older adults. • The research indicates that these medications lead to a 30% reduction in major cardiovascular events for this age group.

• The FDA approved six cancer drugs in August 2026, including a new pill for pancreatic cancer called Rasonque. • Patients taking Rasonque lived a median of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months for those on chemotherapy, reducing the risk of death by roughly 60%.

• The Department of War and the National Institutes of Health signed an interagency agreement to develop medical countermeasures against emerging infectious diseases and CBRN threats. • The partnership focuses on research and development for pandemic influenza and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards.

• A new wave of illegal fruity vapes has emerged, posing health risks to users, particularly among youth and young adults. • Researchers and healthcare providers are noting an increasing trend of children being prescribed GLP-1s, a type of medication typically used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.

• The Indian Medical Association has requested intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Medical Commission regarding long working hours and harassment faced by doctors, which is causing severe burnout. • WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom has praised India's progress in primary healthcare, maternal and child health, and non-communicable disease prevention and control, during a meeting with Union Health Minister J P Nadda.

• The Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel provides information on COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity across the United States. • The channel offers data on the level of respiratory illness activity in different communities, allowing users to track local and national trends.

• Helus Pharma will participate in the Morgan Stanley Healthcare Conference, where Michael Halstead will give a fireside chat on September 16. • The chat will be webcast live at 8:30 a.m. EDT and a replay will be available on Helus Pharma's investor relations website.

• The FDA has expanded its approval of a Bayer lung cancer drug, although the specific details of the expansion are not provided in the given information. • The announcement is part of a broader set of biotech news that includes updates on UniQure and an AI effort to manage heart failure.

• A global COVID-19 tracker is now available, providing data on cases and deaths by country, region, and income level, as well as policy responses to the pandemic. • The tracker includes information on vaccine eligibility, with partial availability defined as availability for certain groups such as key workers, non-elderly clinically vulnerable groups, and elderly groups.