The hottest Therapeutics Substack posts right now

There were initial doubts about a vaccine for COVID-19 being developed quickly.
The Nobel Prize was not for inventing mRNA vaccines, but for a breakthrough in mRNA delivery in 2005.
mRNA vaccines have a wide range of potential applications beyond COVID-19, showing promise in various diseases and therapies.

Psychedelic medicines work fast.
They have a different adverse effect profile compared to traditional psychiatric medication.
The review series on psychedelic medicine is for primary care physicians.

There has been a resurgence of interest in the medical potential of psychedelics, with ongoing research and clinical trials exploring their efficacy in treating mental health conditions.
Despite the challenges and market fluctuations, there is increasing regulatory support for psychedelic drug trials, potentially leading to FDA approvals and breakthrough therapy designations for conditions like PTSD.
Psychedelic treatments involve controlled drug administration in conjunction with therapy, aiming to address the root causes of mental health disorders by stimulating new perspectives and thought patterns.

Covid has become a global experience with waning immunity and increased contagiousness.
Understanding Covid's spread involves looking beyond R0 numbers to factors like effective reproduction rate and incubation period.
To combat Covid, focus on reducing susceptibility through therapeutics, policy changes like banning gain-of-function research, and investing in public health infrastructure.

Nucleic acid therapeutics are expanding with tools like mRNAs, guide RNAs, and CRISPR.
The key challenge in genetic therapy is delivering therapeutic messages effectively.
Extracellular vesicles show promise as a natural delivery system for molecular cargo, though there are still engineering hurdles to overcome.

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Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio) is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on precision medicines for immune-mediated diseases, with the aim to target specific cellular drivers of disease with therapeutics.
HI-Bio's assets include felzartamab and HIB210, targeting dysfunctional plasma cells and other immune system components to potentially provide more effective treatments for diseases like membranous nephropathy and IgA nephropathy.
The company utilizes a platform that integrates human genetics, immunophenotyping, data sciences, and therapeutic engineering to advance its clinical pipeline in understanding and addressing immune-mediated diseases.

Natural products and drugs have similarities but drugs are a balance between complexity and accessibility for optimization.
Molecular complexity in drugs is increasing to improve IP coverage, binding affinity, and effectiveness for chronic diseases.
Embracing enabling methods, computational modeling, and deep exploration of complex chemical space can revolutionize natural product synthesis for therapeutic goals.

High school and college students are experiencing mixed emotions about removing masks, ranging from excitement to worry and empathy for others.
As mask mandates are lifted, individuals are responsible for assessing their own risks and decisions about wearing masks.
Key lessons learned in the age of Omicron include the evolving role of vaccines, the importance of ventilation, the legitimacy of infection-acquired immunity, and the increasing population immunity compared to last year.

A paradigm shift is needed in COVID testing to control the pandemic
Frequent, cheap, less-sensitive rapid testing can be effective for surveillance despite imperfections
Balance between perfect testing and good enough strategies is crucial for fighting COVID-19

COVID-19 cases are surging in 39 states across the U.S. due to people ignoring public health advice and gathering in crowded spaces without masks.
Wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and washing hands are crucial in preventing the spread of the virus and can help shut it down and reopen the economy.
Face shields plus masks are recommended for those with regular, close contact indoors with others, while N95 masks are in short supply and should be reserved for healthcare workers.

Trust science for COVID-19 treatments: It's crucial to rely on scientific methods like randomized controlled trials and emergency use authorizations for drug approvals.
Current drug treatments: Hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, azithromycin, and convalescent plasma are being explored for COVID-19, but careful monitoring is needed due to potential risks and uncertainties.
Mental and behavioral health impact: Patience with drug development processes is important, collaboration among researchers is key, and humor can play a role in maintaining mental well-being during uncertain times.