Category: Health

‘Switchable’ smart gel may pave way for next-gen drug delivery and sensing tech

Researchers create the first multi-responsive gel built from ‘foldamers’ – a discovery that could lead to smart sensors, switchable catalysts, and more.

University of Birmingham scientists have developed a new material that changes from a gel to a liquid-like state under ultraviolet light and can be rebuilt using heat or dismantled by acid.

Publishing their discovery in Journal of the American Chemical Society, the researchers set out how they created the first multi-responsive gel built from ‘foldamers’ – synthetic molecules that fold into defined shapes which can be assembled, disassembled and reassembled on demand.

Their discovery could ultimately help scientists design smart sensors, switchable catalysts, and materials that capture and release selected molecules on demand.

The material changes from a solid-like gel into a flowing, liquid-like state when exposed to ultraviolet light. Heating restores the gel, while acid provides a separate way to break down its molecular network.

Researchers from Birmingham’s School of Chemistry also converted the material into a water-containing hydrogel without disrupting the molecular connections that hold it together. The work brought together expertise in designing new gels, led by Dr Sarah Pike; supramolecular chemistry, led by Dr Chiara Arno; and atomic-level structure characterisation, led by Dr Dominik Kubicki.

Dr Sarah Pike said: “A very small change in molecular shape translates into a visible change in the whole material – demonstrating how carefully designed molecular components can give us control over the behaviour of a bulk gel.

“The research is at a fundamental stage, but the ability to programme more than one response into the same material could ultimately inform the design of smart sensors, switchable catalysts, and materials that capture and release selected molecules on demand.”

In the new material, helical foldamer molecules are joined by palladium ions, which act as four-way molecular connectors. Together, they form an extended network that traps liquid and gives the material its gel-like properties. Ultraviolet light changes the shape of light-sensitive units within the foldamers.

Although this change occurs at the scale of individual molecules, it is amplified across the network until the entire gel loses its solid-like structure, whilst heating allows the network to form again. Acid acts through a different mechanism, disrupting the connections between the foldamers and the palladium ions.

Dr Chiara Arno said: “Supramolecular materials are assembled using reversible interactions rather than permanent chemical bonds. That gives us an opportunity to create materials that are robust under normal conditions but can be reorganised or dismantled when we apply the right signal.

“We converted the material from an organic solvent-based gel into a hydrogel containing water, without disrupting its underlying structure. Hydrogels are widely used in biotechnology and medicine because they can hold large amounts of water while maintaining structural integrity.

“This represents a significant advance in building materials that behave more like biological systems by responding intelligently to their surroundings – for example, releasing drugs only when exposed to a specific trigger, such as changes in acidity within diseased tissue.”

The researchers used dynamic nuclear polarisation-enhanced solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DNP NMR) to examine the gel at an atomic level. The sensitivity enhancement provided by DNP reduced an experiment that was estimated to require around seven years using conventional NMR to just 12 hours.

Dr Dominik Kubicki said: “Seeing a material change is only half the story. If we want to design better responsive gels, we need to know precisely how their molecular building blocks are connected. DNP NMR gave us that atomic-level picture in a material that is otherwise exceptionally difficult to study – allowing us to solve a major challenge in gel science.”

The research sits at the intersection of several globally important research areas including advanced materials, pharmaceutical sciences, and drug delivery. Future applications could include:

• Targeted drug delivery;
• Controlled release of therapeutic molecules;
• Biomedical materials;
• Smart sensing systems; and
• Catalysis and chemical manufacturing.

The work was supported by UKRI, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Royal Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Leverhulme Trust, and European research programmes. Specialist low-temperature DNP NMR infrastructure was accessed at the University of Gothenburg.

Resolve 360 Receives Patent for Next-Generation Rehabilitation Solution for Musculoskeletal Disorders

Aug 18: Resolve360 is a physical medicine and rehabilitation company that provides evidence-based, personalized rehabilitation programs for individuals suffering from neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders. Resolve360 has been granted an Indian patent for its proprietary rehabilitation methodology, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The patented methodology introduces a structured, evidence-based framework for treating neuromuscular and musculoskeletal (NMSK) disorders, covering the entire patient journey from prognosis and personalized protocol creation to treatment delivery, monitoring, and long-term recovery. The patent, titled “System and Method for Prognosis, Protocol Creation, Delivery & Execution for Neuromuscular and Musculoskeletal Disorders,” was granted by the Patent Office, Government of India in July 2026.

The methodology is the outcome of nearly a decade of clinical learning. The concept was first envisioned in 2016, with Resolve360 being founded in 2019 to develop and refine the approach through continuous clinical practice. After years of research, patient feedback, and protocol optimization, the company filed its patent application in 2024, receiving the grant in 2026. During this journey, Resolve360 has treated over thousands of patients and delivered 20+ lakh rehabilitation sessions, helping validate and strengthen the effectiveness of the methodology across a wide range of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions.

Unlike conventional rehabilitation approaches that often focus on temporary pain relief, Resolve360’s methodology is designed to identify not only the primary root cause of a patient’s condition but also the interconnected underlying factors contributing to it. The methodology develops a comprehensive prognosis that addresses both the affected area and related musculoskeletal and neuromuscular regions, enabling a customized treatment pathway tailored to the patient’s overall clinical needs.  

 Dr. Apoorva Shrivastava, CEO and Founder Resolve360 and Shivam Gupta, Co-Founder, Resolve360

The innovation comes at a time when neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders are emerging as one of the fastest-growing health challenges globally. Sedentary lifestyles, prolonged screen time, and technology-driven routines have led to a sharp rise in chronic pain, muscle dysfunction, spinal disorders, ligament injuries, and mobility issues even among younger populations. As these conditions continue to increase, the need for scientifically designed, personalized rehabilitation has never been greater.

While physiotherapy became significantly more accessible through online consultations following the pandemic, rehabilitation practices remain largely fragmented. Many existing approaches continue to rely on generalized exercise plans or symptom-based pain management, often without standardized protocols for diagnosis, treatment execution, adherence, or long-term monitoring. More importantly, rehabilitation is often approached as an afterthought in the continuum of care rather than as a proven, structured treatment methodology in itself. Resolve360’s patented methodology seeks to address this gap by bringing structure, consistency, and clinical rigor to rehabilitation, transforming it from a reactive service into a comprehensive, protocol-driven treatment methodology.  

Through its proprietary core clinical process flow and Seamless App, Resolve360 also delivers rehabilitation sessions to patients across geographies, enabling members of the Indian diaspora to access expert-led care remotely. The platform currently serves patients in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, the UAE, and other Gulf countries, extending evidence-based rehabilitation to individuals seeking personalized and continuous care regardless of location.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Apoorva Shrivastava, CEO Resolve360 and Inventor of the patented methodology, said:

“Every era faces its own health epidemic, and today’s epidemic is neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders driven by sedentary lifestyles and technology-centric living. Despite advances in healthcare, rehabilitation continues to lack standardized treatment methodologies that ensure consistent outcomes. This patent represents years of clinical learning brought together into a structured rehabilitation framework that focuses on identifying the root cause, delivering customized physical medicine in the right dosage, and guiding patients through complete recovery rather than temporary pain relief. Our vision is to establish physical medicine as a science-led discipline capable of delivering measurable, long-term outcomes.”

Looking ahead, Resolve360 is also building AI capabilities to support the future of rehabilitation. As the burden of musculoskeletal disorders continues to grow, the company believes that delivering personalized rehabilitation entirely through manual processes will become increasingly challenging. Its AI initiatives are therefore being developed to complement the patented methodology, helping clinicians enhance treatment personalization, monitoring, and clinical decision-making while preserving expert-led patient care.

The company’s growth has also been strengthened through seed funding from Kalaari Capital (investment amount undisclosed), which will support Resolve360’s expansion and its continued investment in research, technology, and innovation to make evidence-based rehabilitation more accessible and scalable.

Adaptyx Biosciences and Attune Neurosciences Launch ARPA-H-Backed Study to Identify an Objective Molecular Signature of Chronic Pain

MENLO PARK, Calif., August 11, 2026 — Adaptyx Biosciences, a Stanford University spinout developing a wearable biosensing platform capable of measuring multiple biomarkers continuously and simultaneously, today announced a study to identify an objective molecular signature of chronic pain, conducted with Attune Neurosciences and funded through the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health’s (ARPA-H) EVIDENT program. The 24-month, $4 million study is soon enrolling the first of what will be 100 adults with chronic pain, with an emphasis on U.S. military veterans. The study is the first public demonstration of the generalizable capabilities of Adaptyx’s platform, underpinned by Adaptyx’s Switch Foundry. To support this study, the Switch Foundry generated continuous sensing chemistry for five separate biomarkers. Adaptyx’s rapid biosensor development dramatically outpaces conventional development, which typically takes years per molecule. The EVIDENT program uses a single Adaptyx multi-analyte wearable sensor to read all five biomarkers in the body at the same time.

ARPA-H created EVIDENT to replace the subjective yardsticks that still dominate behavioral and mental health with objective, FDA-ready clinical endpoints that show whether a treatment is working. Chronic pain is a sharp example of the problem. It is assessed almost entirely through self-report: an intensity rating on a zero-to-10 scale, supplemented by descriptor checklists on which patients select words such as throbbing, burning, stabbing, or aching. Those instruments are validated and clinically useful, but they are difficult to compare across patients and they are disconnected from what is happening biologically. This study pairs continuous molecular monitoring with an active treatment to test whether measurable, objective signatures of pain emerge, and whether those signatures change as patients improve. The deliberate focus on veterans reflects the fact that chronic pain is more common among veterans than in the general population and has been repeatedly associated with elevated suicide risk.

Patients in Attune’s Phase II trial of its investigational focused ultrasound treatment, which is designed to target the brain circuits involved in chronic pain without surgery or medication, will wear Adaptyx sensors continuously during and for days surrounding their treatment sessions. The sensor reads five molecular biomarkers at once, including cortisol, lactate, and small-molecule metabolites associated with pain, tracking how they shift as pain changes. Wearables, including wireless EEG and smartwatches, will be used to track sleep, activity, and neural signals, building a synchronized, multimodal picture of pain and its relief with the molecular data at the center.

“Focused ultrasound has allowed us to restore function in brain areas that decide whether the body is experiencing pain or just normal sensation,” said Keith Murphy, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Attune Neurosciences. “What has been missing is a way to see whether there are real, measurable changes that underlie that experience. Combining our intervention that alters pain with Adaptyx’s continuous biomarker sensing will give us just that; an astoundingly sharp picture of how the brain and body respond together at the molecular level. This technological and scientific bridge is exactly the kind of evidence this field needs.”

Adaptyx’s Switch Foundry is what makes that sharper picture and understanding of the body possible. Continuous sensing has long relied on enzymatic mechanisms, which has limited sensing to a small number of molecules such as glucose, lactate, and ketones. This is why continuous glucose monitors exist, but little else does. The Switch Foundry uses high throughput techniques to design and optimize aptamer switches, engineered strands of DNA that change shape and provide an electrical signal when they bind their target. These switches extend continuous, real-time measurement to a far wider range of molecules. Three of the five markers in this study are pain-linked analytes that, according to Adaptyx, have never before been measured continuously in the body.

“Pain is complex and multifaceted, and no single molecule captures it, which is why measuring one marker was never going to be enough,” said Alex Yoshikawa, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Adaptyx Biosciences. “The Switch Foundry lets us develop and iterate on new molecular sensors quickly, and pairing that with our multi-analyte sensor is what lets us see all five of these biomarkers in the same patient, in real time. Watching them move together is what could turn pain into something measurable. That is the proof of the platform, and it is a capability we can point at whatever we choose to measure next.”

“Our R&D platform already reads up to 16 markers at once, and we are building our first commercial product to read up to eight,” said Vijit Sabnis, co-founder and CEO of Adaptyx Biosciences. “Cortisol is where we start, but it is the first leg of a multi-analyte hormone panel, because the questions that matter most in chronic disease and women’s health are not answered by a single molecule. A program like this one is how we demonstrate that the platform can add molecules on demand, and that is the capability our commercial roadmap is built on.”

Commercially, Adaptyx is focused on continuous hormone monitoring. The company’s first product measures cortisol, and its roadmap is a single wearable patch that reads cortisol alongside additional hormones and metabolic markers for use in chronic conditions, women’s health, and metabolic health. The EVIDENT program is an early demonstration of the multi-analyte capability that powers Adaptyx’s roadmap.

Dr. Aron Sulovari Named 2026 Resident/Fellow of the Year

Aug 8: The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine has selected Aron Sulovari, MD, an anesthesiology resident at Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY, as the recipient of the 2026 Resident/Fellow of the Year Award. He will be recognized during the 25th Annual Pain Medicine Meeting in Tampa, FL, on November 7, 2026.

Since beginning his anesthesiology residency, Dr. Sulovari has earned a reputation for combining clinical excellence with an unwavering commitment to research, education, and compassionate patient care. His nominator wrote that, throughout his training, Dr. Sulovari has distinguished himself as an emerging leader in regional anesthesia and pain medicine. In addition to caring for patients with acute and chronic pain across the full spectrum of pain management, he has embraced opportunities to educate fellow trainees, contribute to scholarly research, and advance evidence-based patient care.

“From the outset of his training, Dr. Sulovari has displayed maturity, clarity of purpose, and empathy,” said Jeff L. Xu, MD, FASA, professor of Anesthesiology and chief of the Division of Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Management at Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College. “He represents the very best of our specialty’s future.”

Dr. Sulovari has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications spanning chronic pain, regional anesthesia, spine surgery, and perioperative medicine while presenting his work at national meetings including ASRA Pain Medicine, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the Eastern Pain Association. His research reflects a commitment to advancing patient outcomes through scientific inquiry and innovation.

Equally notable is Dr. Sulovari’s dedication to mentorship and education. Faculty and peers recognize him as a collaborative leader who readily shares knowledge, teaches regional anesthesia techniques, leads case discussions, and supports junior residents’ professional growth. His leadership style emphasizes humility, teamwork, and service, making him a trusted mentor among trainees.

Beyond his clinical and academic responsibilities, Dr. Sulovari has remained committed to service through volunteer work with free clinics, refugee health initiatives, outreach programs for underserved populations, and international medical experiences. These efforts reflect his longstanding dedication to improving access to care locally and globally.

“He embodies the core values of ASRA Pain Medicine: compassion, integrity, scientific inquiry, interprofessional collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to patient-centered care,” Dr. Xu said. “He is the type of clinician, scholar, mentor, and advocate who will carry forward the mission of ASRA Pain Medicine for decades to come.”

Dr. Sulovari earned his medical degree with a distinction in research from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, NY, after completing his undergraduate studies in chemistry with honors at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY.

The Resident/Fellow of the Year Award is given annually to a resident or fellow member of ASRA Pain Medicine who has demonstrated significant contributions to ASRA Pain Medicine events or activities related to regional anesthesia or pain medicine, has contributed to the welfare of residents or quality of residency education, serves as a role model and mentor, and embodies the values of ASRA Pain Medicine. For more information about the ASRA Pain Medicine awards, visit: www.asra.com.

The award will be given at the Resident/Fellow and Pain Program Directors Meet and Greet on Friday, November 6, from 7-8 pm at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street in Tampa, FL. View the full Annual Pain Medicine Meeting program and registration on the meeting site at asra.com/pain.

Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar Performs Rare Open-Heart Surgery on a Patient with Sickle Cell Anemia

The Human Side of Robotic Surgery: Tracking Surgeons’ Stress in the Operating Room

Researchers identify various objective physiological signs of stress in surgeons during real operations 

Although robot-assisted surgery (RAS) gives surgeons remarkable precision, little is known about how their stress levels fluctuate during challenging procedures. In a recent study, researchers from Japan monitored surgeons’ brain, muscle, and heart activity during live RASs and linked these physiological signals to the surgeons’ own stress ratings. The team identified objective physiological markers of stressful moments, which could be leveraged to improve surgical training, operating-room design, and surgeon well-being. 

Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) is one of the most advanced tools in modern medicine. These systems give surgeons extreme precision, allowing procedures to be performed through small incisions that minimize both pain and recovery time. Yet even with this sophisticated technology, operations still depend on a human surgeon, who has to stay intensely focused for hours while making medical decisions. With RAS being increasingly adopted worldwide, understanding what it demands of the surgeon is critical. 

Though scientists know surgeons experience varying levels of stress during an operation, little is known about how that stress changes from moment to moment. Most research has relied on simulated surgeries or questionnaires completed after the fact, making it difficult to capture the rapid changes that occur in the operating room during a real procedure. In RAS, stress should be understood not only over time but also as a whole-body response involving the cognitive processing system, musculoskeletal system, and autonomic nervous system. Knowledge of when and how stress manifests physiologically in surgeons could help improve surgical training, how operating rooms are designed, and how well physicians are supported at work. 

In a recent study published online in the journal Surgical Endoscopy on June 30, 2026, a research team led by Professor Yoshihiro Shimomura from the Design Research Institute, Chiba University, Japan, including Dr. Kaiqi Wei and Dr. Nanako Nakamura from the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Chiba University, and Dr. Shinichi Sakamoto from the Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, set out to answer this question by monitoring surgeons during live operations. Their paper presents the results of an observational field study in which multiple physiological signals were recorded simultaneously from seven experienced urologists while they performed robot-assisted procedures.  

Each surgeon wore lightweight sensors that recorded brain activity via electroencephalography, shoulder and neck muscle activity via surface electromyography, and heart activity via electrocardiography. Rather than interrupting surgeons’ mid-operation to ask how stressed they felt, the team used video-stimulated recall. Simply put, after surgery, each surgeon watched a recording of their own console view and marked the moments when they felt their stress level changed, rating it on a scale of 0 to 9. This enabled the researchers to match notable physiological patterns to specific moments of stress without disrupting the procedure. 

By statistically analyzing 151 of these stress-rated moments across the seven surgeons, the team found that four physiological signals reliably tracked how stressed surgeons reported feeling: a pattern of brain activity linked to mental arousal increased, muscle tension in the upper shoulder increased, heart rate sped up, and the natural variability between heartbeats decreased. These signals moved together in a way that lined up consistently with how stressed surgeons said they felt, as confirmed through robust statistical analysis. 

These results showcase how unobtrusive physiological monitoring can provide useful information for understanding the challenges faced by surgeons. “Combining surgeon-reported stress annotations with multimodal physiological monitoring is feasible in RAS and may provide a basis for identifying high-demand operative moments during postoperative review,” explains Prof. Shimomura. 

Looking ahead, the researchers also see this approach as a way to better understand the surgical workplace itself, not just surgeons. “Beyond individual case review, surgeon-state measures could serve as an outcome for evaluating the robotic surgery work system, including console ergonomics, communication routines, workload distribution, procedure-specific difficulty, and training stage. This is the most immediate practical application of the present approach,” remarks Prof. Shimomura. 

Future studies involving more hospitals and additional surgical specialties could help determine how these measurements may support human-centered surgical technology and healthier working environments for healthcare professionals. “Designing environments, equipment, and operational methods based on the results of this line of research will help manage doctors’ stress, improve surgical performance, and enhance surgeons’ own well-being. In addition, these findings could be applied to real-time stress relief interventions for surgeons, triggering briefing protocols to enhance surgical safety and supporting stress management for beginners in training using double-console systems,” concludes Prof. Shimomura.

Kauvery Hospital Strengthens Emergency Cardiac Response at Chennai International Airport with Automated External Defibrillator Installation

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Hyderabad’s Pharma leader Chakravarthi AVPS wins Asia Business Leader Award for advancing India’s global healthcare leadership

Recognition reflects India’s growing influence in affordable healthcare, pharmaceutical innovation and patient-centric solutions

Hyderabad, Aug 04: Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical industry leader Mr. Chakravarthi AVPS, Chairman and Managing Director of Ecobliss India Private Limited received an international recognition for his contribution to strengthening India’s global pharmaceutical leadership and promoting patient-centric healthcare solutions.

He was conferred the CMO Asia Business Leadership & Excellence Award under the category Asia Business Leader of the Year – Indian Pharma at a ceremony held at the Pan Pacific Singapore on Tuesday evening.

The award recognises leaders who have made significant contributions to their industries across the Asia-Pacific region. Chakravarthi was honoured alongside distinguished business leaders from several countries, including Dr. Anne Phey, Founder & CEO of The School of Leadership; Rohit Gandhi, Group CEO of APAR Technologies Singapore; Munas van Boonstra, APAC Managing Director of TLC Worldwide; Charu Sethi of OpenRouter; Dr. Tarita Shankar, Chairperson and President Designate of Indira University, among others.

The citation noted that Chakravarthi was selected for his outstanding leadership in championing Indian pharmaceutical capabilities on global platforms, promoting patient-centric healthcare solutions, encouraging responsible pharmaceutical packaging, and building international collaborations that enhance trust in Indian healthcare.

For over three decades, Chakravarthi has represented India at numerous international pharmaceutical, healthcare and packaging forums, consistently advocating India’s strengths in affordable medicines, innovation and quality.

Under his leadership, Ecobliss India has emerged as a pioneer in patient-centric pharmaceutical packaging and medication adherence solutions, an area increasingly recognised worldwide as critical for improving treatment outcomes and reducing medication errors.

Speaking after receiving the honour, Chakravarthi said the recognition belonged to the entire Indian pharmaceutical ecosystem.

“I accept this honour with humility, not merely as a personal recognition, but as a tribute to the remarkable journey of the Indian pharmaceutical industry and to the many colleagues, mentors and institutions who have inspired me over the years.”

He said India today is recognised globally not only as the “pharmacy of the world” but also as a trusted healthcare partner.

“India’s contribution extends far beyond manufacturing medicines. We have made healthcare accessible and affordable for millions across the globe. From supplying life-saving generic medicines to leading the fight against HIV/AIDS with affordable antiretroviral drugs and expanding access to innovative cancer therapies, Indian pharmaceutical companies have transformed global healthcare.”

Highlighting the importance of patient-centric innovation, he added:

“Medicines save lives only when patients take them correctly. At Ecobliss India, we have always believed that packaging is not merely about protecting a product—it is about supporting the patient. Thoughtfully designed packaging improves adherence, enhances safety and ultimately contributes to better health outcomes.”

Chakravarthi also stressed that the future of healthcare depends on greater international collaboration.

“The future belongs to collaboration. When governments, industry, academia and global partners work together, innovation accelerates, trust deepens and patients everywhere benefit.”

Widely respected within India’s pharmaceutical and industrial ecosystem, Chakravarthi has been actively associated with leading industry bodies including FTCCI, CII, FABA, FOPE, Pharmexcil, the , and several pharmaceutical organisations. Through these platforms, he has consistently worked to strengthen global partnerships and showcase India’s pharmaceutical excellence on the international stage.

“Widely respected within India’s pharmaceutical and industrial ecosystem, Chakravarthi has been actively associated with leading industry bodies including FOPE, FABA, Pharmexcil, IPA, CII, FTCCI, INBA, LSSSDC, WPO, IIP among other organisations.”

The recognition comes at a time when India’s pharmaceutical industry continues to expand its global footprint, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s most trusted suppliers of quality, affordable medicines while increasingly contributing to pharmaceutical innovation, patient safety and sustainable healthcare solutions.

Mezzion Reports Positive In Vivo Results for Udenafil in ADPKD

Seoul, Korea, Aug 3: — Mezzion Pharma Co., Ltd. today announced positive results from a new in vivo study of udenafil, a novel phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). In a preclinical ADPKD model, udenafil reduced kidney cyst burden and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), a blood marker linked to kidney function, compared with controls. Both findings were statistically significant and consistent across the treatment groups evaluated.

The study also showed evidence of activity on udenafil’s intended cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway in the kidney.

In addition, udenafil produced a statistically significant reduction in a preclinical measure of cardiac hypertrophy, or heart enlargement. Because cardiovascular complications are an important part of ADPKD, this finding supports further study of udenafil’s potential effects on cardiac remodeling.

The study was conducted at Mayo Clinic in Florida, with Fouad T. Chebib, M.D., serving as principal investigator. The results build on two earlier preclinical studies in which udenafil inhibited cyst growth and reduced cyst burden. Across these complementary ADPKD models, udenafil has shown activity on its intended cGMP pathway, reduced measures of cystic disease, and improved a biochemical measure used in kidney assessment. Together, the data support clinical evaluation in people with ADPKD.

“These findings strengthen the scientific rationale for advancing udenafil in ADPKD,” said Dong Hyun Park, Chairman and CEO of Mezzion. “As previously announced, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicated that Mezzion’s nonclinical data package, together with its prior clinical and safety experience with udenafil, provides a reasonable foundation for clinical development. Udenafil has been studied in multiple clinical programs over approximately 20 years, including studies with multi-year exposure. This experience will help inform ADPKD study design and safety monitoring.”

“The consistency across multiple preclinical models is encouraging and supports evaluating udenafil in a well-designed Phase 2b study using established measures of ADPKD progression,” said Ronald D. Perrone, M.D., of Tufts Medicine.

“Patients with ADPKD need more treatment options for this serious, lifelong disease,” said Ridwan Shabsigh, M.D., FACS, President and COO of Mezzion. “Advancing udenafil in ADPKD gives Mezzion a second rare-disease development program alongside our ongoing Phase 3 FUEL-2 study.”

“The preclinical data provide a compelling scientific rationale for clinical evaluation in ADPKD. Unlike vasopressin V2 receptor antagonists, udenafil is being investigated through modulation of the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway, providing a mechanistically distinct therapeutic approach. We look forward to participating in the study,” said Professor Yong Chul Kim of Seoul National University Hospital.

ADPKD is a progressive genetic kidney disease affecting approximately 1 in 400 to 1,000 people worldwide. As kidney cysts grow, kidney function can decline and ultimately lead to dialysis or kidney transplantation. ADPKD is also associated with cardiovascular and other complications.

Mezzion plans to advance udenafil into a Phase 2b study in adults at risk of rapidly progressing ADPKD, subject to finalization of the protocol and receipt of regulatory and ethics approvals. The planned study is expected to evaluate kidney volume and function, disease-related biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability.

Global Grace Cancer Run 2026: 9th Edition announced

Hyderabad, Aug 01: The 9th Edition of Quambiant’s Global Grace Cancer Run 2026, powered by Evernorth Health Services, was formally announced at a grand launch event held at Hotel Daspalla, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, on Friday evening.

 The Global Grace Cancer Run 2026 will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad. The event will be conducted in both physical and virtual formats, with the Hyderabad edition being an in-person event.

 Renowned filmmaker Anil Ravipudi and popular actress Nidhhi Agerwal graced the occasion as Chief Guests and unveiled the official Global Grace Cancer Run 2026 T-shirt and Finisher’s Medal, marking the launch of this year’s global campaign against cancer.

 Speaking on the occasion, Nidhhi Agerwal said, “Doctors are the real heroes. This is not one of the usual events that I attend. Grace Cancer Foundation is doing remarkable work. Prevention is always better than cure. Once you cross the age of 40, make regular health check-ups a part of your life.”

 Addressing the gathering, Anil Ravipudi said that cancer cases are increasing rapidly and stressed the importance of listening to one’s body.

 “Your body is the greatest research centre. A sound body leads to a sound mind. Reduce stress and lead a pleasant life. Stress is the root cause of many ailments. That is why my WhatsApp display picture says ‘Happy Mind, Happy Life’,” he remarked.

 In his characteristic humorous style, he added, “People call doctors heart specialists. In my own way, I am also a heart doctor because I believe laughter is the best medicine. Through my films, I try to make people laugh and keep their hearts happy.”

 He also encouraged everyone to remain youthful in spirit, saying, “Always nurture positive thoughts. The imagination of being young gives you tremendous energy.”

 Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Chinnababu Sunkavalli, Senior Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist and Founder of GRACE (Global Research and Cancer Education) Cancer Foundation, said that cancer continues to be one of the world’s biggest public health challenges. However, a significant number of cancers can either be prevented or successfully treated when detected early.

 Dr. Sunkavalli also announced that Grace Cancer Foundation will soon be listed on the Social Stock Exchange of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), enabling greater transparency and wider public participation in supporting its mission.

 “The Global Grace Cancer Run is not merely a sporting event. It is a global movement that combines awareness, prevention, early detection and hope. Every participant becomes an ambassador in the fight against cancer, while every registration helps us reach underserved communities with life-saving screening services,” he said.

 He further stated that the funds raised through this year’s run will be utilised to screen one lakh economically disadvantaged people for cancer and other non-communicable diseases through mobile screening units. The initiative will also support HPV vaccination, awareness programmes, lifestyle modification and preventive healthcare, bringing quality cancer screening and treatment closer to rural communities.

 Dr. Pavan Gorukanti, Director, Yashoda Hospitals, emphasised that early detection of cancer significantly improves the chances of complete recovery and helps patients return to normal life. He urged everyone to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle.

 Mr. Yogendranath, Founder of Quambiant Developers, the Global Title Sponsor, said, “No one should ever suffer because of cancer. We are proud to continue supporting this noble cause and contribute towards saving lives through early detection.”

 Since its inception, the Global Grace Cancer Run has evolved into the world’s largest cancer awareness run, touching the lives of nearly 1.4 crore people across more than 130 countries.

 The Foundation’s vision is to alleviate the cancer burden in society through Education & Awareness, Early Detection, Treatment & Rehabilitation, and Cutting-edge Research.

 The theme for this year’s edition is: “Run for Grace. Screen for Life.”

 The Hyderabad edition is expected to attract around 35,000 participants, while the global event is expected to witness over one lakh participants from more than 130 countries spanning all seven continents.

 Participants can register in 2K, 5K and 10K categories. The event has also earned global recognition with six Guinness World Records.

 Dr. Pedda Reddy Talugula will serve as the Race Director for the 9th edition.

 The event is globally sponsored by Quambiant Developers and powered by Evernorth Health Services.

 More than 400 doctors, healthcare professionals, corporate leaders, cancer survivors, volunteers and supporters attended the launch ceremony, reaffirming their collective commitment to building a cancer-aware society and ensuring that early detection reaches those who need it the most.

 Those interested in participating in the Global Grace Cancer Run 2026 can register online at www.gracecancerrun.com or www.ifinish.in