Author: Vanessa Loo

From the first HIV medication approval in 1987, treatment for HIV has come a long way. With the help of antiretroviral therapy (ART), most HIV patients can now lead a longer and healthier life. In 2022, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an average of 39.0 million people were living with HIV, and an estimated 630 000 people were dying from HIV globally [1]. The quest to find new and better treatment options continue as unmet needs such as drug resistance and ill compliance remain.  Novel Molecules for HIV Lenacapavir (Sunlenca®) In Dec 2022, Lenacapavir, in combination with other…

Postexposure Doxycycline is shown to prevent bacterial STIs The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections has significantly increased in recent times. A total of 2.53 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were recorded in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [1]. This has led to a pressing need for effective interventions. Emerging studies propose that a commonly accessible antibiotic, when used post-intercourse, could potentially play a crucial role in reducing the escalation of this issue. Old Drug, New Indication  New research shows taking Doxycycline, after unprotected sex greatly reduces the chances of developing STIs such…

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic disease caused by a mutation in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Affecting 1 in 10,000 newborns [1], this gene is responsible for the production of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, which is an essential protein used for the maintenance and function of specialised nerve cells – the motor neurons. Without SMN proteins, motor neurons die, resulting in muscles becoming weak and wasting away – with eventual loss of life functions such as breathing, swallowing, feeding or speaking.  On 21 April 2023, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) approved the first…

The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to Advamedica’s Ax-Surgi surgical hemostat. It is the first and only chitosan-based hemostat cleared for the controlling of severe surgical bleeding. The use of traditional dressings to stop a haemorrhage is only effective in treating superficial wounds. When there is substantial bleeding and damage to the skin tissue, it becomes necessary to employ a hemostatic agent1.  Chitosan and its derivatives have been widely used for biomedical applications due to antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and tissue repair-induced properties2. It also possesses hemostatic properties as it can adhere to red blood cells and encourages platelets to adhere,…

The introduction of CGM devices has revolutionalised the management of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes with fewer fingerstick tests.