Nucleai, a leading AI-powered spatial biomarker and diagnostics company, is set to unveil its expanded suite of solutions for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) clinical trials at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, taking place May 30–June 3 in Chicago, IL. These tools leverage computational pathology and spatial biomarker analysis to enhance trial design, treatment prediction, and drug development for ADC therapies.

AI-powered spatial biomarkers are proving more accurate than standard pathological scores in predicting ADC treatment responses. Nucleai’s advanced platform—part of its commercially available ADC solution suite—offers high sensitivity for detecting even low levels of biomarker expression and can identify subcellular protein localization, providing granular insight into drug mechanisms.

At ASCO, Nucleai will demo its OD-based quantitative biomarker scoring solution, which addresses inconsistencies in manual immunohistochemistry (IHC) scoring. The suite also includes spatial scoring tools to model the bystander effect of ADCs, aiding in patient stratification and clinical trial planning. For combination therapy strategies, Nucleai’s multimodal platform integrates IHC with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) images, helping biopharma partners analyze tumor immunogenicity and immune cell subsets within the tumor microenvironment.

As ADC development expands, the need for reliable, AI-driven biomarker scoring continues to grow—especially as the relationship between protein expression, location (surface vs. cytoplasm), and treatment outcomes varies by study. This ambiguity makes spatial and subcellular biomarker insights essential for optimizing trial design and therapeutic sequencing, particularly in complex cancers like hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Nucleai is also introducing an AI-powered analysis studio to simplify interpretation of complex pathology and spatial biology data, accelerating access to actionable insights for drug developers and companion diagnostic programs.

Additionally, the company’s newly developed spatial proteomics dataset includes over 200 tumor and normal samples across 30 biomarkers and three indications, supporting ADC target profiling and validation of combination strategies.

At booth #IH02, Nucleai will present live demos covering target identification, bispecific credentialing, spatial scoring, and biomarker quantification. A featured ASCO poster presentation, in collaboration with Dr. Paolo Ascierto and Lunaphore, will highlight spatial biomarkers of immunotherapy response in melanoma using the COMET™ hyperplex platform.

Agilent Technologies  has launched its latest advancement in liquid chromatography-mass detection—the Agilent InfinityLab Pro iQ Series—introducing two innovative systems: the InfinityLab Pro iQ and InfinityLab Pro iQ Plus. Engineered for precision, sensitivity, and intelligent operation, these systems are tailored to meet the evolving analytical demands of today’s laboratories.

The Pro iQ Series is ideal for analyzing a wide array of essential molecules, including therapeutic small molecules, oligonucleotides, peptides, and proteins. Designed to serve diverse sectors such as pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, environmental testing, food safety, academic research, and specialty chemicals, the systems offer capabilities such as mass confirmation, impurity profiling, trace contaminant detection, biomolecule characterization, and mass-based purification.

Dr. Iris Mangelschots, VP and GM of Agilent’s Liquid Phase Division, emphasized the series' impact:
“The Pro iQ Series redefines the future of LC detection and reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering scientists with cutting-edge tools for high-quality, sustainable science.”

The Pro iQ Plus model is built for high-end applications, offering an extended mass range of m/z 2–3,000 and enhanced sensitivity via Agilent Jet Stream (AJS) technology. It’s ideal for research environments where both small and large molecule detection at trace levels is essential. The standard Pro iQ system, with a mass range of m/z 2–1,600, is optimized for small molecule workflows, offering reliability for routine lab use.

Both systems provide greater specificity and selectivity than traditional UV detection, even for chromatographically unresolved compounds, significantly improving compound confirmation speed and confidence.

Jennifer Gushue, AVP of LC/MS Product Marketing, stated:
“The Pro iQ Series unlocks new capabilities across applications—from drug development and quality control to biotherapeutic research and environmental testing. It equips scientists with the precision and intelligence needed to overcome the most complex analytical challenges.”

With unmatched performance, operational efficiency, and user-friendliness, Agilent’s Pro iQ Series empowers scientists to push the boundaries of scientific discovery across disciplines.

Delhi-based biotech company Vgenomics has partnered with Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital to revolutionize the early detection of keratoconus, a progressive eye disease that weakens the cornea and can lead to permanent vision loss if untreated. The collaboration focuses on a novel, non-invasive biomarker—VSP-2224—found in tears, designed to detect the disease even before symptoms arise.

Keratoconus affects the cornea’s shape and transparency, gradually impairing vision. Currently, detection is typically possible only after significant corneal damage, limiting treatment options. Alarmingly, the condition affects an estimated 2% of India’s population and is rapidly increasing in the MENA region. This growing burden underscores the urgent need for earlier, more accessible diagnostics.

A major breakthrough in this space, VSP-2224 was discovered by Dr. Shroff’s Hospital and developed using Vgenomics' AI-powered RgenX-LENS platform. This biomarker can identify keratoconus in its earliest stages—before symptoms are visible—by analyzing tear fluid. Unlike traditional methods, this approach is completely non-invasive, painless, and ideal for use in routine screenings.

Dr. Raheela Sardar, Founder and CEO of Vgenomics, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “Bringing VSP-2224 into clinical use marks a major advancement in eye care. Our partnership with Dr. Shroff’s Hospital ensures this innovation benefits patients across India.”

Dr. Virender Singh Sangwan, Director of Innovation and Translational Research, highlighted the clinical impact: “This biomarker can transform keratoconus diagnosis by enabling the development of easy-to-use, scalable diagnostic tests.”

Dr. Anil Tiwari added, “This tear-based method is simple, painless, and ideal for widespread early detection initiatives.”

VSP-2224 is currently undergoing clinical validation involving patients, healthy volunteers, and individuals under treatment. Alongside, Vgenomics is developing OcuTear, a rapid point-of-care diagnostic kit for ocular surface diseases, with VSP-2224 as its key marker for keratoconus.

Together, this partnership is paving the way for faster, more accurate, and patient-friendly diagnostics, potentially changing the standard of care for keratoconus across India and beyond.

Indian healthtech platform Practo aims to double its international revenue over the next two to three years by expanding its consumer-facing services in developed markets. The move is part of the Bengaluru-based company’s strategy to accelerate overall growth and establish a stronger global presence.

Founded in 2008, Practo connects doctors and patients through a digital platform and currently earns about 20% of its revenue from international operations. Much of this revenue comes from its hospital software management services in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. However, the company now plans to boost this stream by focusing more on direct-to-consumer offerings, which are currently available in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.

The company’s total revenue grew 22% to 2.4 billion rupees ($28 million) in fiscal 2024. Practo’s leadership sees expansion into Western markets like Canada and Australia as a major opportunity, as those regions lack technology platforms that directly connect patients and doctors to improve health outcomes. “There’s a wide-open field when it comes to a doctor-marketplace in developed countries,” said CEO Shashank ND.

Practo has also turned profitable in the March 2024 quarter and is exploring the possibility of going public in India, although a specific timeline hasn’t been disclosed. The platform was last valued at $418 million in April 2022, according to market intelligence data.

The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in accelerating the adoption of digital healthcare, according to Shashank. “Before COVID, convincing healthcare providers about the benefits of digital solutions was slow and difficult. Post-COVID, however, we are witnessing a reverse trend—with increasing demand from the provider side,” he noted.

As Practo sets its sights on global expansion, it is betting on a broader shift in healthcare habits and the growing demand for digital health solutions, aiming to tap into underserved international markets with scalable, technology-driven healthcare platforms.

Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. announced that its investigational drug Usnoflast has received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder.

The Fast Track Designation is granted to therapies that address serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. It is designed to expedite the development and review process, offering benefits such as accelerated approval, priority review, and increased interaction with the FDA throughout the drug development lifecycle.

Usnoflast is an orally administered NLRP3 inhibitor, developed to target neuroinflammation, a key driver of ALS. Zydus highlighted that this designation will support a faster development pathway for the drug, enabling the company to bring a potential treatment to patients more efficiently.

This regulatory milestone comes shortly after Usnoflast was granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) by the FDA. ODD offers a range of incentives, including tax credits for clinical testing, waivers on certain fees, and seven years of market exclusivity upon approval.

“Receiving both Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designation reflects the urgent need for innovative therapies in ALS,” said Pankaj Patel, Chairman of Zydus and the ALS Association. ALS typically leads to progressive paralysis and death within two to five years from symptom onset.

Zydus has already completed a Phase 2a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 24 ALS patients across seven sites in India. The FDA has also cleared the company to initiate a Phase 2b clinical trial in the U.S.

Beyond ALS, preclinical data suggest that Usnoflast may have potential applications in other disorders driven by neuroinflammation, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

ALS affects approximately 32,000 people in the U.S., with 5,000 new cases diagnosed annually. The disease impacts over 30,000 individuals in Europe and around 75,000 in India. The development of Usnoflast reinforces Zydus’ growing role in the global fight against neurodegenerative diseases.

AstraZeneca’s immunotherapy Imfinzi (durvalumab) has received a positive recommendation for approval in the European Union for use in adult patients with resectable muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). The proposed treatment combines Imfinzi with gemcitabine and cisplatin as a neoadjuvant regimen, followed by Imfinzi monotherapy as adjuvant therapy after radical cystectomy (surgical bladder removal).

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency based its endorsement on findings from the NIAGARA Phase III trial, which were presented at the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Interim results showed a 32% reduction in the risk of disease progression, recurrence, not undergoing surgery, or death, with the Imfinzi regimen (hazard ratio [HR] 0.68; 95% CI 0.56–0.82; p<0.0001). At two years, 67.8% of patients receiving Imfinzi remained event-free, compared to 59.8% in the control group. Median event-free survival had not been reached in the Imfinzi arm, while it was 46.1 months in the comparator.

For the key secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS), the Imfinzi regimen reduced the risk of death by 25% compared to chemotherapy and surgery alone (OS HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.59–0.93; p=0.0106), with 82.2% of patients alive at two years versus 75.2% in the comparator group.

Dr. Michiel Van der Heijden, NIAGARA trial investigator, noted that the approval could significantly impact treatment, especially as nearly half of MIBC patients relapse post-surgery. AstraZeneca’s Susan Galbraith emphasized that this aligns with the company’s strategy to treat cancer earlier, where curative outcomes are most possible.

MIBC affects over 35,000 patients annually in five major European countries. Though considered potentially curable, the standard of care—chemotherapy followed by cystectomy—often results in recurrence and poor outcomes.

Imfinzi showed a favorable safety profile in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings, with no new safety concerns, and did not interfere with surgical outcomes. Regulatory reviews are ongoing in Japan and other regions, with Imfinzi already approved in the US for this indication.

Eli Lilly and Company (India) has entered into a partnership with Apollo Clinic, a prominent clinic network under Apollo Health and Lifestyle, and Apollo HealthCo. (Apollo 24|7), all part of larger Apollo Group, to raise awareness about obesity and type 2 diabetes. This joint initiative will focus on boosting awareness and promoting appropriate healthcare solutions for obesity and type 2 diabetes nationwide. Obesity, a chronic relapsing disease, is a major risk factor for diabetes, is linked to over 200 health complications, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnea to name a few. As of 2023, adult obesity prevalence in India stood at around 6.5%, affecting nearly 100 million people.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to support people living with obesity and type 2 diabetes by increasing awareness around prevention and evidence-based management,” said Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager, India. “Through this partnership, we aim to make a meaningful impact on how obesity and type 2 diabetes are understood and managed. Together, we're working to improve awareness, support better outcomes, and empower individuals to take charge of their long-term health.”

“This collaboration marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to transforming obesity and type 2 diabetes care in India. Our yearly "Health of Nation" reports highlight a concerning trend: 49% of women and 55% of men under 40 are obese, a figure that drastically rises to 73% of women and 65% of men in the 40-55 age group.This alarming rise in obesity and physical inactivity, along with non-communicable diseases, remains undiagnosed and underscores the urgent need for action,” said Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director Apollo Hospitals Group. “With significant solutions in the scientific realm for Obesity management in many of our hospitals, we are now committed to creating Centres of Excellence in Obesity Management. Such partnerships aim to develop a scalable & impactful model that can drive future healthcare initiatives and significantly improve patient outcomes across the country.” she added.

Recognizing obesity as a chronic and relapsing disease that significantly elevates the risk of diabetes and contributes to a wide range of health complications, including hypertension and heart disease, makes health education the need of the hour. Planned to roll out across more than 200 Apollo clinics and involving 300 medical practitioners, this collaboration aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of millions.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated three new healthcare units at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital on Thursday, marking a significant advancement in the capital’s public health infrastructure. The newly launched units include a Medical Genetics Ward, a Lactation Management Unit, and a Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) Lab.

Gupta highlighted the significance of the new Medical Genetics Ward, calling it a milestone in Delhi’s healthcare system. “This is the first such unit in Delhi and the fourth in the country. Many children suffer due to genetic disorders, and their parents often struggle to find proper care. With this facility, such conditions can now be diagnosed and treated locally,” she said.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the genetics unit will not only focus on treatment but also advance research. “Using just a single drop of blood, these advanced machines can help us study and understand genetic conditions more effectively. This will aid both treatment and research,” Gupta explained.

She also launched a Lactation Management Unit, underscoring the vital role of breast milk in neonatal care, especially for premature infants. “Many mothers of premature babies are not in a condition to breastfeed. Through this unit, lactating mothers can donate milk, which can be used to nourish vulnerable newborns. This is essential for their survival and healthy development,” she added.

The third facility, a Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) lab, is expected to significantly enhance the hospital's diagnostic capabilities, offering faster and more accurate testing for various infectious diseases.

Criticizing the previous government’s health policies, Gupta pointed out the inadequacy in hospital bed availability. “The World Health Organization recommends two beds per 1,000 people. Delhi has only 0.42 beds per 1,000 people, and even with private hospitals included, the figure reaches just 1.5. This shortage was starkly evident during the Covid-19 crisis,” she noted.

The inauguration of these units represents a step forward in addressing longstanding healthcare gaps and strengthening Delhi’s public health infrastructure.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda emphasized the critical role of public-private partnerships in expanding preventive healthcare and early disease detection across India. Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit 2025 in New Delhi, Nadda called for greater private sector involvement in AI and tech-driven innovations to scale up mass screening and telemedicine services nationwide.

“Health transformation doesn’t happen overnight,” Nadda stated, highlighting the importance of building long-term, sustainable systems that will serve future generations. He stressed the need for strategic planning and collaborative efforts to strengthen India’s healthcare infrastructure in line with the country’s 2047 development vision.

Addressing the summit’s theme, ‘Building Trust – India First’, the Minister outlined a compelling vision of a healthier, more inclusive India and reiterated the government’s commitment to healthcare reforms, innovation, and accessibility. He applauded CII for placing healthcare high on its agenda and fostering a collaborative dialogue among industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders.

“Engagements like these are essential for nation-building and for positioning India as a global leader in healthcare innovation,” he said.

Calling for a more humane and time-sensitive regulatory ecosystem, Nadda underscored the need for efficiency and responsiveness in the operations of key regulatory bodies. “While we must maintain the highest standards of safety and quality, we must also avoid delays. Red tape must not obstruct timely progress,” he asserted.

Nadda also spotlighted India’s emergence as a global hub for pharmaceuticals and medical devices, citing the country’s swift response to international demand during the COVID-19 pandemic as a defining moment. “We moved from being dependent to becoming the dependable,” he said, highlighting India’s growing self-reliance.

Concluding his address, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s citizen-first approach, rooted in innovation, collaboration, and compassion. He called on the private sector and all stakeholders to play an active role in transforming India’s healthcare system, with the goal of making it a global benchmark by 2047.

Mapmygenome, a leader in AI-driven genomics and personalized health solutions, has announced the strategic acquisition of Microbiome Insights, a globally recognized contract research organization specializing in microbial sequencing. This acquisition marks a significant step in Mapmygenome’s expansion strategy and enhances its scientific capabilities in the growing field of microbiome research.

The acquisition includes Microbiome Insights’ CAP-accredited laboratory in Canada and a rich portfolio of intellectual property, providing Mapmygenome with a strong foundation to introduce its integrated genomics and microbiome testing services across North America. The move reflects Mapmygenome’s commitment to delivering comprehensive, data-driven health solutions on a global scale.

Founded by renowned experts Dr. Brett Finlay, Dr. William Mohn, and Malcolm Kendall, Microbiome Insights has established itself as a leading CRO, supporting over 600 clients globally with more than 1,000 microbiome studies. Its reputation spans academic, clinical, and industry sectors, making it a valuable addition to Mapmygenome’s growing portfolio.

Microbiome Insights will continue to operate as a premier CRO, empowering research worldwide while benefiting from Mapmygenome’s technological and strategic resources. The acquisition also strengthens Mapmygenome’s position in metagenomics, transcriptomics, and targeted metabolomics, expanding its offerings for the academic, biotech, and clinical communities.

“This acquisition is a pivotal moment for Mapmygenome,” said Anu Acharya, Founder and CEO of Mapmygenome. “It allows us to lead in microbiome science and broaden our service offerings with advanced capabilities. This also accelerates our presence in North America and aligns with our vision of strategic growth through acquisitions, as we prepare for our listing on the Indian market later this year.”

Malcolm Kendall, CEO of Microbiome Insights, added, “Joining Mapmygenome equips us with enhanced resources to deliver superior services and drive innovation. Combining our microbiome expertise with their AI-driven genomics solutions will set a new global standard in health-focused research.”

While the financial details remain undisclosed, the acquisition underscores a shared commitment to transforming personalized healthcare through integrated genomics and microbiome science.