A single viral platform shows promise across infectious disease and cancer ReiThera’s gorilla-derived adenovirus vector is helping advance vaccines and therapies for COVID-19, HIV, Ebola, and even cancer.

https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/a-single-viral-platform-shows-promise-across-infectious-disease-and-cancer-17103 At Advanced Therapies 2026, DDN spoke with Claudio Panzarella, Head of Business Development, and Angelo Raggioli, Head of Technology Development, at ReiThera, about how the company’s early COVID-19 vaccine efforts shaped its current scientific programs, including the gorilla adenovirus (GRAd) platform, ongoing HIV vaccine trials, and the potential for oncology therapeutics.

Next generation approaches to achondroplasia care Oral FGFR3-targeted therapies are emerging as a potential step forward, offering more precise, convenient treatment options for children.

https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/next-generation-approaches-to-achondroplasia-care-17104 Achondroplasia is the most common genetic form of short-limbed skeletal dysplasia, affecting an estimated 4.6 per 100,000 births worldwide. The condition arises from a gain-of-function mutation in FGFR3 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 3), which disrupts endochondral ossification and leads to characteristic short stature and limb proportions. Beyond stature, individuals with achondroplasia may face complications across the lifespan, including foramen magnum stenosis, spinal canal narrowing, sleep-disordered breathing, and challenges with activities of daily living, all of which can impact quality of life and necessitate multidisciplinary care.

Electromagnetic (EM) Spectrum

https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/earth-system/electromagnetic-spectrum Ask an optometrist: What’s the impact of blue light on vision? https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ask-optometrist-whats-impact-blue-light-vision-lw3ge/ There’s a commonly held belief that blue light from digital devices damages your eyes. Here, an expert weighs in. Do a quick internet search, and you’ll probably turn up plenty of information stating that blue light from digital devices can hurt your vision—not to mention lead to other alarming effects like sleep disruption and even mental health changes. But there are several misconceptions about blue light, according to John Buch, a Senior Principal Research Optometrist at Johnson & Johnson. Primarily, there’s confusion about the main source of blue light. While people get up in arms about digital screens, “far and away, the most abundant and strongest source of natural blue-violet radiation is from the sun; so really, anytime you walk outside you’re being exposed to blue light,” Buch says. He explains that while computer screens, smartphones and televisions do emit blue light, the scale at which they do is vastly different from the sun. “Just 15 minutes of exposure to sunlight has been equated to 13 hours of nonstop looking at a computer screen. That said, it can’t be refuted that computer screens do emit the blue-violet end of the spectrum.” Setting industry standards: What is blue light? The electromagnetic spectrum includes a wide range of light, such as ultraviolet, gamma rays and X-rays. Humans can see a portion of the spectrum called visible light, ranging from violet light with a wavelength of 380 nanometers (nm) to blue, green, yellow, orange and red light measuring up to 780 nm. Within that visible spectrum, many people talk about high-energy visible (HEV) light, which is the blueish violet end of the spectrum, and has shorter wavelength and higher energy than other colors, Buch says. And within that HEV spectrum of 380-500 nm light, blue-violet light is an even narrower field, generally defined as light on the spectrum between 380-450 nm.

Why microcephaly must be included in global rare disease agendas: Africa’s perspective

https://rarerevolutionmagazine.com/why-microcephaly-must-be-included-in-global-rare-disease-agendas-africas-perspective/ Written by Lenah Musangi, founder of Care Beyond Limits – Microcephaly Africa Foundation (CBL-MAF) Lenah Musangi is the founder of Care Beyond Limits – Microcephaly Africa Foundation (CBL-MAF), a leading voice for microcephaly advocacy and support across the African continent. She is dedicated to dismantling stigma and ensuring that children with neurological rarities are centred in global health and policy conversations In the quiet corners of rural villages and the bustling streets of Nairobi, there is a community of children whose voices are often unheard. These are children born with microcephaly, a rare neurological condition where a baby’s head is significantly smaller than expected. While the world discusses rare diseases through the lens of advanced genomics and precision medicine, for many families in Africa, the reality is far more fundamental—and far more isolated. At CBL-MAF, we believe that “rare” should not mean “forgotten”. As we look toward the global rare disease agendas of 2026, it is time to centre the African perspective, where microcephaly is not just a clinical diagnosis but a profound intersection of health equity, environmental factors and social justice.

Humanity first, not country first The Lancet Regional Health – Europe ++... ++...

Humanity first, not country first The Lancet Regional Health – Europe https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(26)00076-1/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email Apr 2026 Volume 63 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/issue/vol63nonull/PIIS2666-7762(25)X0014-4 The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for self-harm in males compared to females: a systematic review and meta-analysis Oliver Matias Oliver.Matias@citystgeorges.ac.uk ∙ Alexandra E. Bakou ∙ Kirsten Barnicot ∙ Rose McCabe https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(26)00018-9/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_feature_lanepe Cutting-edge systemic cancer therapies https://www.thelancet.com/series-do/cancer-therapies?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_feature_lanepecancertherapies26 Executive summary Systemic cancer therapies are undergoing rapid transformation, redefining precision and durability in oncologic treatment. This Series examines advances across antibody–drug conjugates, cell therapies, multispecific antibodies, and immunologically driven strategies such as oncolytic viruses and cancer vaccines. It highlights how innovations in molecular design, conjugation technologies, and antibody engineering are expanding therapeutic potential while introducing challenges related to toxicity, cost, and access. The Series also explores the growing role of engineered cell therapies in haematological malignancies and solid tumours, emphasising Europe’s scientific leadership alongside regulatory and manufacturing barriers. Advances in immune engagement underscore a shift toward more precise and durable antitumour responses, while reinforcing the need for biomarker-guided patient selection and system-level solutions to translate innovation into equitable clinical benefit.

Caring for caregivers: supporting invisible partners of the ICU The Lancet Respiratory Medicine ++... ++

Caring for caregivers: supporting invisible partners of the ICU The Lancet Respiratory Medicine https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(26)00090-1/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email Apr 2026 Volume 14Number 4p281-374, e29-e30 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/issue/vol14no4/PIIS2213-2600(26)X2003-3 Medical thoracoscopy with talc poudrage and indwelling pleural catheter insertion versus medical thoracoscopy with talc poudrage alone for patients with symptomatic malignant pleural effusion (TACTIC): a randomised, controlled phase 3 trial Alexandra Dipper, PhDa,* ∙ Anand Sundaralingam, MRCPb,c,* anand.sundaralingam@ndm.ox.ac.uk ∙ Emma Hedleyc ∙ Sharada Gudur, FRCPd ∙ Janet Mills, BScd ∙ Sandra Sowdend ∙ et al. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(25)00409-6/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_feature_lanres Budesonide–glycopyrronium–formoterol fumarate dihydrate in uncontrolled asthma (KALOS and LOGOS): twin multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, randomised, phase 3 trials Prof Alberto Papi, MDa,* ∙ Prof Robert A Wise, MDb,* ∙ Prof David J Jackson, FRCPc ∙ Prof Njira Lugogo, MDd ∙ Prof Ruchong Chen, MDe,f ∙ Teodora Trasieva, MSg ∙ et al. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(25)00457-6/abstract?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_feature_lanres

Following National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, HHS Highlights Early Progress in Expanding HIV, Hepatitis C, and STI Services in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

https://www.hiv.gov/blog/following-national-native-hiv-aids-awareness-day-hhs-highlights-early-progress-in-expanding-hiv-hepatitis-c-and-sti-services-in-american-indian-and-alaska-native-communities?j=2941249&sfmc_sub=6992026&l=6498_HTML&u=72998465&mid=100006181&jb=0 WASHINGTON — March 30, 2026 — The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) is reporting strong early progress from a $32.1 million investment from the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund (MHAF), awarded six months ago to expand HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) services in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The funding, delivered through the Ending the HIV/HCV/Syphilis Epidemics in Indian Country (ETHIC) project, represents the largest single-year MHAF allocation to the Indian Health Service (IHS). Admiral Brian Christine, Assistant Secretary for Health, said, “Prevention, testing, and treatment services are expanding across Tribal communities, and that progress is essential to ending these epidemics.” “The ETHIC project serves as a prime example of the IHS’ continued commitment to provide resources to American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The historic funding allocated to the project will contribute to overall health in historically underserved populations,” said IHS Chief of Staff Clayton Fulton. Recent Progress Through the ETHIC Project Healthy Native Youth and We R Native Supported 21 Tribes with culturally relevant toolkits, youth outreach, and digital education campaigns. Developed 19 evidence-based curricula for educators, teachers, and parents. Indian Country ECHO Held more than 300 ECHO clinics on HIV, hepatitis C, sexually transmitted infections, substance use disorder, diabetes, and related conditions. Recruited 1,412 clinical sites and trained 2,749 providers. Engaged more than 40,000 participants with strong, consistent attendance. Real-World Impact in Native Communities In South Dakota, a tribal clinic met a patient experiencing homelessness at a gas station to complete syphilis treatment, ensuring uninterrupted care. In Alaska, at-home testing expanded to include HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis, reaching individuals who may not access clinic-based services. In rural California, a nurse-led mobile clinic delivered rapid HIV, hepatitis C, and STI testing directly to communities, with patients noting that mobile services feel more accessible than clinics. In Northern Minnesota, a pharmacy-led maternal testing program produced a 16-fold increase in patient engagement and diagnosed seven times more infections, enabling faster treatment. In Phoenix, expanded case management increased access to long-acting HIV treatment and PrEP, helping patients achieve viral suppression. American Indian and Alaska Native communities continue to experience the highest percentage of undiagnosed HIV infections in the United States, with an estimated 18 to 19 percent compared to 13 percent nationally. Additional data is available through the OASH AHEAD dashboard. HHS, OASH, and IHS will continue working alongside Tribal and urban Indian partners to expand prevention, testing, treatment, and linkage to care in rural, urban, and underserved communities across Indian Country. IHS provides health services to approximately 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 575 federally recognized tribes in 37 states. The Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP), part of OASH, coordinates federal efforts to reduce infectious diseases and manages the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund.