Institutions to develop nanomedicine

The Texas Centre for Cancer Nanomedicine, funded by a $16 million, five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute, has blended five research institutions to focus on an array of nanotechnologies to improve patient outcomes with ovarian or pancreatic cancers, writes Health Imaging.

The centre anticipates unveiling the clinical trials of its nanomedicine therapies two years after the centre opens. The grant from the NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in cancer will not fund the clinical trials.

The team has developed nanoparticles made from a variety of substances that hold potential for medical use, including gold, silicon, tiny balls of fat called nanoliposomes and chitosan, which is derived from crustacean shells.

Central Texas has never before been considered a medical hotbed, but that is changing with several major healthcare developments over the past few years, says Impact News.

According to the report, with the collaboration of local healthcare institutions, colleges and universities in the Austin area, new medical technologies and treatments are available, and significant medical research is now being conducted within the region.

Research is under way on thousands of new medical technologies, devices, procedures and treatments, but according to the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, only about 15% of new drugs and 25% of new medical devices withstand the rigorous testing and trials to secure US Food and Drug Administration approval and hit the market. Furthermore, it can take 10 years or more and cost up to $1 billion for final FDA approval.

Saudi Arabia unveiled the largest healthcare technology project of-its-kind in the GCC at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference, reports the Saudi Gazette.

The five-year project is aimed at transforming the healthcare delivery in Saudi Arabia, Dr Mohammed R Alyemeni, adviser to the minister of health and general supervisor of ICT, said.

He elaborated on the kingdom's plan to digitally integrate over 300 Saudi hospitals during his speech at the three-day event.

Saudi Arabia's e-Health and ICT vision encompasses not only the interoperable electronic health records, which are the foundational systems that many nations are pursuing, but includes essential elements addressing quality of care, cost containment, and health system management and research needs, he says.