For some time now, public health officials have shown interest in mixing and matching covid-19 vaccines. Trials had shown that it was safe to mix certain vaccines. However, the efficacy of combination vaccines were still unknown. Now it seems, there’s more data regarding the efficacy. According to the journal Nature,“Vaccinating people with both the Oxford–AstraZeneca and Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines produces a potent immune response against the virus SARS-CoV-2, researchers conducting a study in Spain have found. Preliminary results from the trial of more than 600 people — announced in an online presentation on 18 May — are the first to show the benefits of combining different coronavirus vaccines. A UK trial of a similar strategy reported1 safety data last week, and is expected to deliver further findings on immune responses soon.” That is really positive news, especially with countries struggling To get access to vaccines. http://go.nature.com/3v6l4Iy

There is positive news from the type 2 diabetes drug development industry. According to Fierce biotech,“Eli Lilly has completed a fifth global registration study of tirzepatide, teeing it up to seek approval of the dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist by the end of the year. All three doses of tirzepatide bettered the blood glucose reduction and weight loss seen in the insulin glargine arm of the latest phase 3 trial. Lilly has guided tirzepatide through a series of late-phase tests in recent months, chalking up wins over drugs including insulin glargine — the active ingredient in products including Sanofi’s Lantus — and Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide along the way. The last of the five registration studies, SURPASS-4, delivered data from Type 2 diabetics with increased cardiovascular risk on Thursday that confirmed the efficacy seen in the earlier trials.” Diabetes drugs have been particularly profitable for the pharmaceutical industry. http://bit.ly/3f4T1Ul

 air pollution is a problem around the world. However, it is particularly troubling in Southeast Asia. In the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, some citizens have sued the government for unhealthy exposure To pollution. According to AsiaOne,“The Central Jakarta district court is expected to rule on the 2019 lawsuit on Thursday (May 20). Of the world’s cities with the worst air pollution last year, the top 148 are in the Asia-Pacific region, according to Swiss air quality technology company IQAir. The plaintiffs’ legal team have claimed that the Indonesian authorities were environmentally negligent by failing to protect its citizens from the health impacts of air pollution. They argued that scientific research showed poor air quality can lead to asthma, coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and decreased life expectancy.”  If the lawsuit is successful, expect a whole lot of similar lawsuits being brought up in cities all across the region. http://bit.ly/3vbv0Aw

Russia has offered to step in and help Japan with its covid-19 vaccine supplies. according to the Japan Times,“Russian Ambassador to Japan Mikhail Galuzin on Thursday reiterated his country’s readiness to begin exports to and production in Japan of the Russian-made Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. Galuzin said earlier this year Russia had proposed the vaccine supply to Japan and was awaiting a response from the Japanese government. His remarks come at a time when Japan, where Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine is the only one approved for use and those of Moderna Inc. and AstraZeneca PLC are set to be approved Friday, is struggling to speed up vaccination of health care workers and the elderly before starting a rollout to the wider population.” If nothing else, Russia has been consistent in its willingness to pledge covid-19 vaccine aid to countries in need. http://bit.ly/3u69yLR

In a scene straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean, a long-lost sunken ship has magically reappeared in Australia. According to reports, “A long-buried shipwreck emerged in a northern NSW town this week, causing a flurry of excitement as locals flocked to catch a glimpse. The 128-year-old shipwreck of The Buster resurfaced on Woolgoolga Beach at the mouth of Lake Woolgoolga, leaving many locals shocked. Lisa Nichols, the editor of local paper Woopi News, told news.com.au many long-term residents never knew the preserved ship was hidden under the sand.” If only there were some buried treasure. http://bit.ly/3v7UP4n

  Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.

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