Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd.

Researchers from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity claim to be the first to demonstrate the use of genome sequencing in tracking and receiving quick insights into bacterial changes during severe infections. They studied patients who had severe, recurrent infections with Staphylococcus aureus or "golden staph." The deadly bacteria, responsible for more than a million deaths globally each year, can also cause sepsis, pneumonia, bone and joint infections, and endocarditis. Additionally, it can quickly adapt and become resistant to most antibiotics. FINDINGS In their study , the researchers applied bacterial genomics, supported by phenotypic testing, to assist clinicians in determining the cause of treatment failure in S. aureus infections and potentially guide salvage treatments. Genome sequencing provides a complete genetic pro bacteria, including traits that influence their response to treatment. Through this, they found that a third of cases had golden staph picked up dangerous mutations that made treatment likely to fail. Lead author Dr Stefano Giulieri shared a case where the bacteria had become 80 times more resistant to the previously administered antibiotic. "Each time they reappeared in blood, the bacteria had picked up a new dangerous mutation," The Doherty Institute quoted him as saying in a statement. Dr Giulieri is an infectious disease physician and clinician researcher at the Doherty Institute. The clinical team was able to change the patient's treatment based on the genomic information and finally cure the infection. "Our study is the first to show that by tracking bacterial evolution in real-time, genome sequencing can reveal tricks bacteria use to survive, giving doctors the power to stay one step ahead and tailor treatment to the specific bacterial strain. This helps avoid unnecessary treatments, minimise side effects for patients and prevent further antibiotic resistance – ultimately giving patients the best chance of recovery," Dr Giulieri explained. The study also surveyed 25 global infectious disease specialists who rated their novel approach as "highly useful." "The ability to track bacterial evolution in real-time during severe infections is a game-changer for clinicians," said Eugene Athan, one of the survey participants and professor and infectious disease consultant at University Hospital Geelong. Meanwhile, the study also noted two potential key barriers to implementing genomic investigations of severe bacterial infections: the additional cost of sequencing and the timely delivery of results. In their study, the cost of high-throughput genomic sequencing was approximately A$584 or around $370, which is twice the mean cost of bacterial whole-genome sequencing (WGS) at $194. Their laboratory's turnaround time was at least between five and seven days. "Future studies should compare the relative accuracy, costs, and turnaround times of short and long-read sequencing for this type of analysis," they suggested. The Doherty Institute worked with seven major hospitals in Victoria on their research: Austin Health, Eastern Health, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Alfred Health, Western Health, University Hospital Geelong and Bendigo Health. WHY IT MATTERS Bacterial genomics, according to the researchers, has rarely found its way in clinical settings, given relatively long turnaround times for addressing acute infections and scant evidence on the impact of bacterial genetic factors on clinical outcomes. Until now, bacterial evolution studies have only been done retrospectively. Still, the high resolution from bacterial genome sequencing provides accurate characteristics of individual bacterial strains in a patient, which can inform precision infectious disease management. The Doherty Institute study demonstrated how phenotypic and genomics analyses "deliver additional information that cannot be easily inferred from the clinical context and routine microbiological data, including genetic relatedness and adaptive mutations." "These findings represent a major step toward targeted therapy for bacterial infections and open the door to future clinical trials that could make this approach standard practice in hospitals worldwide," claimed Benjamin Howden, University of Melbourne professor and director of the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit, Public Health Laboratory at the Doherty Institute. The Doherty Institute is now exploring the addition of a new genomic sequencing-based service through its public health laboratory for cases of severe bacterial infections where treatment fails. THE LARGER TREND The Alfred, one of The Doherty Institute's partners in their study, and Monash University have been developing a system that also integrates genomic data, EHRs, and AI to track and alert early cases of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and predict possible outcomes of treatments for superbug infections. An automated alert system for drug-bacteria mismatches was also tested and applied at The Prince Charles Hospital in Queensland, supporting its antimicrobial stewardship program. Outside Australia, hospitals in Singapore and Taiwan have also created AI-powered systems for preventing and addressing potential AMR cases. Singapore General Hospital 's AI model utilises clinical data to review and assess pneumonia cases and support better antibiotic prescription at the point of care. Meanwhile, China Medical University Hospital 's antimicrobial AI platform features four functions: it identifies drug-resistant strains, predicts and monitors the risk of infectious sepsis and mortality, provides smart drug dosage recommendations, and automatically compares drug-drug interactions and allergy history.

Agreement focuses on advancing armored and bi-specific CAR-γδTs for AML and multiple myeloma LEXINGTON, Mass. and SINGAPORE, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Elpis Biopharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage cell therapy company developing bispecific armored CAR-T therapies for solid tumors, today announced entry into a research collaboration agreement with Singapore General Hospital (SGH). The agreement focuses on the development of next generation allogeneic CAR technologies, including an armored CAR-γδT (gamma-delta-T), targeting acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and a bi-specific CAR-γδT for multiple myeloma (MM). Under the terms of the research collaboration agreement, Elpis will contribute the bispecific and armored CAR technologies to SGH via a technology transfer, which was completed at the end of April. SGH will leverage its unique γδT platform and clinical expertise to advance the development of each asset into separate investigator-initiated trials. Should the data be favorable, both parties have expressed a mutual intention to explore the formation of a joint venture to further develop and commercialize the therapies. "CAR-γδTs represent the cutting edge of cancer therapy given the potential of such technologies to span the entirety of the immune system," stated Assistant Professor Alice Cheung, Junior Principal Investigator, Department of Haematology, and study scientific lead at SGH. "Through our research collaboration with Elpis, we aim to develop potent and durable cell therapies for AML and MM. By leveraging robust immune modulation, our goal is to enhance antitumor activity and ultimately improve clinical outcomes," said Assistant Professor Chen Yunxin, Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology, and study clinical lead at SGH. Elpis has developed a suite of integrated, proprietary technologies that work in concert to unlock the full therapeutic potential of CAR-T in multiple tumor settings and immune cell modalities. These innovations aim to overcome the most significant challenges in tumor treatment: immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and antigen heterogeneity. The precision engineered cell type specific armor modulates the persistence of the CAR engineered immune cells and bystander immune cell activities. "At Elpis, we are taking CAR-γδTs to the 'next generation' by combining cell type-specific multi-mechanism armor and bi-specific tumor targeting antibodies," stated Yan Chen, MD, PhD, founder and CEO of Elpis Biopharmaceuticals. "These innovations are designed to overcome multiple resistance mechanisms to deliver safer, more effective, and persistent therapies at a significantly reduced cost compared to autologous CAR-Ts. We are excited to align with SGH and its researchers to initiate clinical trials investigating our therapies for the treatment of AML and multiple myeloma." About Elpis Biopharmaceuticals Elpis Biopharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharma company pioneering next-generation cell therapies for the treatment of solid tumors. The company is advancing a pipeline of first- and best-in-class bispecific armored CAR-T therapies designed to overcome the challenges of tumor heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Its proprietary platforms—including a multi-mechanism armor technology, bispecific targeting antibodies, a cytokine cocktail-based cell manufacturing process, and a rapid mRNA display discovery engine—are integrated to deliver safer, more durable, and more effective therapeutic responses. Elpis's lead programs include EPC-003 for glioblastoma and EPC-002 for a broad range of solid tumors. Elpis Biopharmaceuticals is headquartered in Lexington, MA and Singapore. For more information, visit . About Singapore General Hospital Singapore General Hospital, established in 1821, is the largest tertiary hospital in Singapore and ranked among the world's best. It provides the most comprehensive patient-centred care with over 50 clinical specialties on its campus. As an Academic Medical Centre, it takes pride in training healthcare professionals and conducting cutting edge research to meet evolving needs of the nation as well as the region. Driven by a strong sense of purpose, SGH is committed to give of its best to heal and bring hope, as it has for over 200 years. For more information, please visit SOURCE Elpis Biopharmaceuticals WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

The Enhertu-Perjeta combination gave patients an extra 13.8 months without progression compared with the traditional THP regimen in first-line HER2-positive breast cancer. More than five years after an initial FDA approval as a third-line treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s antibody-drug conjugate Enhertu looks poised to reach newly diagnosed patients, with efficacy data that live up to the pair’s previous “highly statistically significant” description.A combination of Enhertu and Roche’s Perjeta represents a new first-line standard treatment option for HER2-positive breast cancer, Rebecca Dent, M.D., deputy CEO (clinical) at National Cancer Center Singapore, said in a release provided by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).Dent made that comment after the Enhertu-Perjeta combo significantly lowered the risk of progression or death by 44% compared with the traditional THP regimen in that disease setting in the phase 3 Destiny-Breast09 trial, according to data being presented today at this year's ASCO conference. THP is a combination of chemotherapy, Roche's Herceptin and Perjeta.As AZ and Daiichi previously characterized, the improvement was highly statistically significant, with a p-value below 0.00001.The Enhertu-Perjeta pair gave patients an extra 13.8 months without progression. The median progression-free survival time reached 40.7 months for the experimental therapy.Enhertu’s tumor progression benefit showed early, starting at around six months, with the difference between Enhertu-Perjeta and THP continuing to widen afterward. At two years, about 70% of patients in the Enhertu-Perjeta arm had not experienced tumor progression versus 52% in the THP group. However, a chart visualizing disease progression events over time showed the gap between the two arms appeared to be closing toward the end, “suggesting some instability of the curve at that time,” lead study author Sara Tolaney, M.D., from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said during a press briefing ahead of the official data presentation.The current data set came at an interim analysis after a median follow-up of 28 months.“Given that 46% of patients continue to remain on steady treatment with [Enhertu] and [Perjeta], it is likely that the median will evolve with further follow up,” Tolaney said. Enhertu’s improvement in efficacy didn’t appear to come at the cost of safety. Grade 3 or above treatment-emergent adverse events happened in 63.5% and 62.3% of patients in the Enhertu-containing group and control, respectively. The rates of serious events were 27% and 25.1%, respectively.However, as expected, Enhertu’s use increased the rate of interstitial lung disease (ILD), a side effect of interest for ADCs developed with Daiichi’s DXd platform. Adjudicated drug-related ILD or pneumonitis occurred in 46 (12.1%) of patients who got Enhertu and Perjeta versus four patients (1%) who received THP. Most cases in the Enhertu-Perjeta arm were grade 1 or 2, but they included two (0.5%) deaths, whereas all events in the THP arm were grade 1 or 2.The ILD events are “very much in line with” existing knowledge of Enhertu, and doctors have become “quite used to managing” the side effect, Tolaney said.Overall survival data were highly immature with only 16% of cases accrued, but researchers observed a positive trend in favor of the novel combination with a preliminary death risk reduction of 16%, according to Tolaney.AstraZeneca has not disclosed its regulatory progress with Enhertu in first-line breast cancer. The company will make an announcement when the FDA has accepted its application for approval, AZ’s oncology R&D head, Susan Galbraith, Ph.D., said during a press briefing.Since its original FDA nod in late 2019 for HER2-positive breast cancer patients who have tried two or more prior anti-HER2 regimens in the metastatic setting, Enhertu has gradually moved up in the treatment sequence with a second-line nod in 2022. The drug’s median progression-free survival length went up from 16.4 months in Destiny-Breast01 in the third line to 28.8 months in Destiny-Breast03, and now to 40.7 months in the first line.“I think people are really starting to see that if you use this drug as early as you possibly can, you're going to get the biggest benefit,” Ken Keller, head of Daiichi’s global oncology business, said in an interview with Fierce Pharma.Following the positive Destiny-Breast09 readout, AZ and Daiichi a few weeks ago said the Destiny-Breast11 study for a presurgical Enhertu-THP regimen has met its pathological complete response goal in high-risk, HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer. The Destiny-Breast05 trial for Enhertu in the postsurgical setting is expected to read out later this year.Destiny-Breast09 has another arm of Enhertu monotherapy. The comparison between single-agent Enhertu and control did not meet the progression-free survival endpoint at this interim analysis. The arm remained blinded and continued to be followed toward its final analysis, according to Tolaney.Even without a monotherapy win, Keller expects quick adoption of the Enhertu-Perjeta combo in the first-line setting as soon as it’s approved. To him, the unknown is how long doctors will be using Enhertu.A phase 3 study coded Patina recently found that the addition of Pfizer’s CDK4/6 inhibitor Ibrance to standard first-line maintenance therapy—Herceptin with or without Perjeta and endocrine therapy—may significantly improve the progression-free survival outcome of patients with HR-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer.“The biggest question will be, what happens when people start on Enhertu and do they treat to progression, or do they start playing around based on the maintenance with Patina?" Keller said. "And that’s what we’ll have to tease out as things go on.” Gastric cancer win Enhertu has also been branching out to other HER2 tumor types. In another phase 3 data set released at ASCO 2025, Enhertu reduced the risk of death by 30% compared with a combination of Eli Lilly’s Cyramza and the chemotherapy paclitaxel in patients with previously treated HER2-positive gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.In this second-line setting, Enhertu extended patients’ median survival time by 3.3 months to 14.7 months.Besides a life extension benefit, Enhertu also reduced the risk of disease progression by 26%.As ASCO expert Pamela Kunz, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center, said during a press briefing ahead of the official presentation, findings from the Destiny-Gastric04 study are “practice-validating” in the U.S. because Enhertu is also included in medical guidelines and used by doctors in second-line HER2-positive stomach cancer.“However, it will play a more pivotal role globally,” she said. “It will be practice-changing in many countries outside of the U.S. and will really position [Enhertu] as a preferred second-line treatment.”The positive note aside, Kunz spotlighted the 13.9% adjudicated drug-related interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis rate for Enhertu, suggesting it’s important to consider when selecting which patients to put on the ADC regimen.Daiichi in February launched a phase 3 trial coded Destiny-Gastric05 to assess Enhertu in first-line HER2-positive gastric cancer. Almost simultaneously, AstraZeneca started the Artemide-Gastric01 trial evaluating its PD-1/TIGIT bispecific antibody rilvegostomig either with Herceptin and chemo or with Enhertu and chemo also in the first-line setting.