QUICK HITS

1Amazon Targets Counterfeit Crimes A recent article posted on Amazon’s blog, dayone, discussed the company’s effort to crack down on counterfeits. The company is launching a new Counterfeit Crimes Unit consisting of former federal prosecutors, investigators, and data analysts whose job it is to prevent counterfeit products from being listed on its website. The initiative aims to help effectively pursue civil litigation against suspected criminals, support brands, and aid law enforcement officials across the world in action against counterfeiters. Amazon’s primary focus continues to be in preventing counterfeits from ever being listed in its stores. In 2019, Amazon invested over $500 million and had more than 8,000 employees fighting fraud and abuse, including counterfeits.

2Novartis to Forgo COVID-19 Profits in

Developing Countries

When a global pandemic strikes, it’s important to use the resources at your disposal to help others. According to a recent FiercePharma article, Swiss-based pharma giant Novartis is doing its part by promising zero profit from sales of 15 generic and over-the-counter drugs that manage COVID-19 symptoms in developing countries. The medicines, all from Novartis’ Sandoz unit, include widely used antibiotics, anti-inflammatory therapies, and medications for cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. On top of that, Novartis has pledged to donate $40 million to support communities affected by the pandemic.

3New Breathalyzer Detects COVID Current COVID-19 tests consist of a deep nasal swab that collects a fluid sample and is sent to a lab. Results typically come days later, which can be problematic. Producing results in seconds would dramatically reduce the global pandemic’s impact. A recent Medgadget article discussed a new way to detect the virus: a breathalyzer. A team of researchers at Ohio State University has developed and is now testing a device that detects metabolites related to the COVID-19 infection within 15 seconds. The breathalyzer is inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to use. Early results are promising, but continued testing is necessary before the device can be used for mass screenings.

4New Four-Wheel Wheelchair Lets

Disabled People Go Off-Roading

Traditional wheelchairs certainly increase accessibility for people with physical disabilities, but they can still be limiting. A recent Medgadget article discussed a new product that aims to change that. The Rig, aka “Not a Wheelchair,” is a four-wheeled wheelchair that employs electric bike components to help people with lower limb paralysis enjoy long treks (up to 100 miles!) on rugged terrain. The device costs around $5k and was originally designed/developed by a Utah couple as something they could use themselves. 5 Scientists Grow

Operational Livers from Skin Cells

A recent Good News Network article discussed a new development in organ generation. A team of scientists at the University of Pittsburgh used skin cells to create small human livers, and then successfully transplanted them into rats. The team took adult skin cells and genetically altered specific genes and transcription factors to make “pluripotent stem cells,” which can develop into liver cells. The method could also be used to create “part-time liver grafts,” which could prolong the lives of people on the transplant waiting list.

6Wildlife Activists

Target Use of Crab Blood

Each year, hundreds of thousands of horseshoe crabs are netted and drained of their milky-blue blood for medical safety tests that detect bacterial contamination in drugs and implants. According to a recent Reuters article, activists from The Na tional Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife, and other groups are pressur ing the pharma industry to switch to a synthetic version of the blood, known as recombinant Factor C (rFC). The Horseshoe Crab Recovery Coalition says the shift to rFC could save 100,000 horseshoe crabs each year, and help threatened migratory birds that feed on crab eggs. However, there are regulato ry hurdles for rFC preventing it from being on-par with industry-standard crab blood trials. Only two drugs, both from Eli Lilly, have been approved after rFC endotoxin testing.

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