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Agetech world investment, research and technology round-up
MINNESOTA-based Medtronic has agreed to acquire neurovascular technology company Scientia Vascular for US$550m.
Scientia’s neurovascular access devices are used to navigate the brain’s complex vasculature, helping prevent cognitive decline by treating conditions such as strokes and aneurysms.
The Scientia proposal is Medtronic’s second deal of the year, after the company announced an acquisition of CathWorks for US$585m in February.
Privately held Scientia was founded in 2007 by John Lippert, its current chief technology officer. It is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, where it employs over 300 staff.
Scientia has developed a micro-fabrication technology to help address challenges in navigating the cerebral vascular system that can make it difficult for physicians to reach the site of an occlusion or aneurysm.
The acquisition builds a foundation to support procedures across both hemorrhagic and acute ischemic stroke, said Linnea Burman, Medtronic’s president of its neurovascular business.
Singapore-based Immortal True Dragon has announced plans to initiate an investment programme in ‘radical life extension technologies’.
20 longevity start-ups
It says it is committed to driving breakthroughs in longevity science and healthy lifespan research, positing that ageing and death are ‘technological challenges that can be overcome through scientific innovation’.
To date, Immortal True Dragon has invested in over 20 industry startups, with a focus on four strategic areas:
Firstly, replacement and regeneration technologies, including pioneering research such as xenotransplantation, cryopreservation, and biological tissue replacement or regeneration.
Secondly, gene therapy and delivery methods, targeting the root causes of ageing and related diseases through gene therapy
Thirdly, neural and brain ageing reversal technologies, covering cutting-edge research such as neuronal regeneration, intervention in neurodegenerative diseases, and cognitive function enhancement, aiming to fundamentally delay and even reverse the brain ageing process;
Fourthly, regulatory arbitrage and compliance paths, accelerating the transformation and implementation of innovative therapies by leveraging policy differences among different jurisdictions in the approval and clinical access of anti-aging therapies.
Boyang Wang, founder of the US$40M AUM (Assets Under Management) fund said: “Whether it’s cutting-edge scientific research or creating a better environment for scientific research, we are committed to finding investment opportunities that can bring about real impact.”
Boomer Inflexion
Research which examines mortality trends by birth cohort, or decade of birth, found that the 1950s US Baby Boomers cohort represents an inflection point transition from general improvements in earlier cohorts to deterioration across later cohorts.
Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) the research showed that in general, groups born before the 1950s in the US show improving mortality rates, while those born after showed declines.
While the Baby Boomer generation represented a transition generation, the team found declining mortality patterns for subsequent generations.
There’s bad news for other generations as well. Zooming in on the data revealed troubling trends for those born since 1970, with deteriorating patterns in deaths caused by cardiovascular disease, cancer, and external causes compared with their predecessors.
The research concludes by saying ‘there is no easy answer as to why the US is struggling with mortality’.
A handful of tiny molecules circulating in the blood may help identify which older adults are most likely to survive the next two years, researchers report.
In a study of more than 1,200 people 71 and older, six small RNA molecules in the blood, called piRNAs, predicted short-term survival with up to 86%
“These RNAs are linked to survival,” and the analysis suggests they may also influence whether someone survives, says rheumatologist Virginia Byers Kraus of Duke University.
PiRNAs, short for piwi-interacting RNAs, help regulate genes involved in development, tissue repair and immune function. Research in roundworms shows that reducing piRNAs can double life span, and though widely studied in animals, their role in human aging has remained unclear.
While the results are exciting, those simulations should be interpreted cautiously, says Yale University computational biologist Raghav Sehgal.
The analysis assumes extreme changes in piRNA levels that may not be biologically feasible or safe.
At this stage, Sehgal says, the piRNA patterns probably reflect short-term health risks or frailty rather than gradual biological aging, so the test is not yet ready for clinical use.
Kraus and her team plan to explore piRNA patterns across people ages 30 to 100 and test whether interventions such as the diabetes drug metformin or GLP-1 drugs could modify RNA levels and improve health outcomes.
Mirror, mirror…on the wall
Wearables can currently help monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen and the like, but the next generation of wellness and anti-ageing devices promise to deliver something radically different from your smartwatch, highlights a gadget industry publication.
New wellness devices, such as the Withings Body Scan 2 and the NuraLogix Longevity Mirror, can check an holistic range of medical measurements, such as; arterial stiffness, vascular age, and cardiovascular risk.
These ‘longevity stations’ examine your long-term health risks by analyzing biomarkers linked to cardiovascular health, metabolic function, nerve integrity, and cellular ageing.
One of these; The NuraLogix Longevity Mirror, involves standing in front of it for 30 seconds, whilst its Transdermal Optical Imaging tech analyzes facial blood-flow patterns.
This allows it to estimate cardiovascular health, metabolic function, stress, and physiological age. This data is fed into an AI, trained on hundreds of thousands of patient records, which can then produce a Longevity Index score, along with personalized wellness suggestions.
Gut-friendly foods such as kimchi and kombucha may carry hidden risks for heart health when eaten in excess, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has warned.
The charity said foods marketed as prebiotic, probiotic or otherwise good for the gut can support the microbiome, but some may also be high in salt or sugar, which can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Products highlighted by the British Heart Foundation included kimchi, kombucha, fruit yoghurts, smoothies and sauerkraut. It said there is no harm in including them as part of a healthy diet, but advised people to check labels for added salt and sugar and eat them in moderation.
Tracy Parker, the charity’s nutrition lead, said: “We encourage everyone to choose foods that can keep their gut microbiome healthy. The benefits are clear, and we are continuing to improve our understanding of how a gut-friendly diet may help our hearts.
“A lot of these products can contain high levels of salt or sugar though, so it is important to be aware of the potential drawbacks.
“By ensuring you check package labels for added salt and sugars, and eat each in moderation, you can make sure the risks do not outweigh the benefits for your heart health.”
Fermented foods such as kimchi and sauerkraut are rich in probiotics, the healthy bacteria produced during fermentation that can help support a diverse and healthy gut microbiome.
However, both are traditionally made using a lot of salt, which can raise blood pressure if eaten frequently or in large quantities. High blood pressure is known to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Kombucha, a fermented tea, also contains probiotics and can be a healthier alternative to fizzy drinks, but many commercial and shop-bought versions contain added sugar.
Eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain, which can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular disease.
Fruit yoghurts can contain probiotic live bacteria cultures, but may also be high in sugar and have fewer live cultures than plain versions.
The charity said plain yoghurt with live and active cultures on the label can be a lower-sugar option, with whole fruit added at home for sweetness.
Smoothies made with whole fruits provide prebiotic fibre, which feeds beneficial gut bacteria and supports digestive health.
They can also provide vitamins and antioxidants, especially when made with a variety of plant-based ingredients.
But blending breaks down the structure of fruit, releasing free sugars that behave like added sugars in the body and can cause faster rises in blood sugar levels.
Regularly consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain, which can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease.
The charity said only one 150ml serving of any smoothie counts towards five-a-day, and suggested adding nuts or seeds for extra protein and fibre to help keep blood sugar levels more stable.
The BHF also noted that some shop-bought sauerkraut is pasteurised, which removes most of the live bacteria.
It advised checking the label, eating small portions and choosing unpasteurised products for those seeking the probiotic benefits.
The charity said beneficial gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids during digestion, which are linked to reduced inflammation, better metabolism and better heart and circulatory health.
These good bacteria also help digest polyphenols, natural plant chemicals thought to have antioxidant properties and which may help lower blood pressure.
By contrast, harmful gut bacteria, which thrive on diets high in fat and red meat, produce chemicals that can cause problems in the heart and blood vessels by increasing inflammation and altering how cholesterol is processed in the body.
Beneficial bacteria thrive on varied diets high in prebiotics, non-digestible fibres found in foods such as wholegrains, oats, beans, lentils, bananas and onions.
People with diabetes may have undiagnosed heart failure that could be detected by a simple screening blood test, research suggests.
The TARTAN-HF trial found that one in four patients with diabetes who had at least one other risk factor for heart failure had undiagnosed heart failure detected through screening with a blood test and ultrasound scanning of the heart.
Experts said the findings show the extent of unrecognised heart failure in people with diabetes, and how the condition can be detected using a widely available blood test called NT-proBNP, which measures how much strain the heart is under.
They suggest a heart failure screening programme for diabetics could improve diagnosis rates, lead to earlier treatment and potentially reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death.
The study, involving 700 patients, was led by the University of Glasgow in collaboration with AstraZeneca, Roche Diagnostics, Us2.ai, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire.
Dr Kieran Docherty, clinical senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow’s School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, said: “Our results from the landmark TARTAN-HF trial identified heart failure in a large proportion of people living with diabetes, emphasising the need for a heart failure screening strategy in this group of patients.
“We know that many of the symptoms and signs of heart failure are non-specific, and may go unrecognised as potentially being due to heart failure for a long time.
“The strategy used in our trial is simple and easy to implement in clinical practice, and will aid in the early identification of heart failure in people with diabetes, and facilitate the initiation of medications that we know improve outcomes in patients with heart failure.”
The study, which began more than three years ago, involved more than 700 people with diabetes from the two health board areas who had at least one other risk factor for heart failure.
They were randomly assigned either to receive heart failure screening or to continue with their usual care.
Researchers found screening uncovered a large number of previously unrecognised cases of heart failure. Around one in four, or 24.9 per cent, of those screened were found to have the condition within six months, compared with 1 per cent in the group continuing their usual care.
The study, involving patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, found almost all of the participants found to have heart failure had preserved ejection fraction, which can be difficult to detect without dedicated testing.
The findings of the TARTAN-HF trial were presented at the American College of Cardiology conference taking place from 28 to 30 March in New Orleans in the US.
Dr Edward Piper, medical director at AstraZeneca UK, said: “Delayed diagnosis and treatment of heart failure in people with type 2 diabetes contributes to poor long-term outcomes. TARTAN-HF demonstrates that targeted, risk-based screening can identify previously undiagnosed heart failure in approximately one in four high-risk patients with diabetes, enabling earlier intervention with guideline-directed therapy.”
Dr Christian Simon, head of global medical affairs at Roche Diagnostics, said: “We are proud to have supported the landmark TARTAN-HF trial. These findings demonstrate the transformative power of early, accessible diagnostics like the NT-proBNP blood test.
“By identifying unrecognised heart failure in people with diabetes, we enable clinicians to initiate appropriate treatments sooner, ultimately improving patient outcomes and lives.”
The UK has launched a £6.3m men’s health fund to back local projects aimed at helping men and boys live longer, healthier lives.
The Men’s Health Community Fund is a partnership between the Department of Health and Social Care, Movember and People’s Health Trust.
The government is contributing £3m, while the two charities are more than doubling that to take the total to £6.3m.
Grants will support community projects reaching underserved men and boys aged 16 and over, particularly in the most disadvantaged areas and at key points in their lives such as becoming a father, losing a job or retiring.
Projects could include support for new fathers, activities for men facing loneliness and social isolation, services to help young men engage with the health system, and support for men in work, out of work and moving into retirement.
The programme will bring together voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to test new ways of reaching men who are least likely to use traditional health services.
An evaluation funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research will assess what works and help inform future policy and delivery.
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: “Too many men across the country are living shorter, less healthy lives, particularly those in our most disadvantaged communities.
“This new partnership will help men get the support they need in the places they feel most comfortable, their communities, among people they trust.
“By working with expert charities and local organisations, we can reach the men who are too often missed by traditional services and help them take better care of their mental and physical health.”
“It is a key step in delivering our first ever Men’s Health Strategy and driving forward our ambition to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest areas.”
The Men’s Health Strategy sets out plans to tackle the physical and mental health challenges men and boys face.
Men can be less likely to seek help and more likely to suffer in silence, while higher rates of smoking, drinking, gambling and drug use are damaging men’s health and affecting families, workplaces and communities.
The government is also investing £3.6m over the next three years in suicide prevention projects for middle-aged men in local communities across areas of England where men are most at risk, many of which are also among the most deprived. Suicide is one of the biggest killers of men under 50, and three-quarters of all suicides are men.
The projects will aim to break down barriers middle-aged men face in seeking support, including stigma around asking for help and a lack of awareness of what is available and how to access it.
They will be co-designed with experts and men with lived experience of mental health crises and suicidal thoughts.
Gut-friendly foods may damage heart, charity warns
Diabetes patients face increased risk of undiagnosed heart failure
UK government announces £6.3m fund to boost men’s health
Brain health collaboratory launches in Gulf South
Centenarian study probes healthy ageing
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