Welcome to our inaugural newsletter, where we bring you timely insights and updates on the ever-evolving landscape of mosquito-borne viruses worldwide.
In recent years, the prevalence and impact of mosquito-borne diseases have been increasingly felt across continents, affecting communities, economies, and healthcare systems. From the familiar threats of malaria and dengue fever to emerging challenges like Zika virus and chikungunya, the dynamics of these diseases pose significant implications for industries, governments, and individuals alike.
Our newsletter aims to provide information about the latest developments and trends, regulatory changes shaping the fight against mosquito-borne illnesses, and of course updates on Island’s drug development program as we advance our dengue fever drug, ISLA-101, through the clinic.
We hope you find the newsletter interesting and informative.
In 2024, we have seen the world heating up with dengue fever…
The New York Times reports that in the first three months of 2024, more than 3.5 million cases of dengue have been confirmed by governments in Latin America, compared with 4.5 million in all of 2023. There have been more than 1000 deaths recorded so far this year.
While dengue is on the rise throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, Southeast Asia is also experiencing a significant increase in spread. Currently there are more than 1.3 billion people living with dengue fever in the Southeast Asia region.
Dengue Live Map, as of 16th April 2024
Credit (click to check live dengue status): https://www.healthmap.org/dengue/en/
HEADLINES OF THE MONTH
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Dengue case on the rise in Singapore
Singapore reported 5,500 dengue cases in the first 14 weeks of 2024, and seven deaths so far
Read more
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El Niño causes dengue surge in Peru
El Niño brings mosquitoes and high temperature to Peru, with the government declaring a health emergency in 20 regions
Read more
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Dengue emergency in Brazil sending Latin America into a health crisis
Brazil’s Health Ministry warns that it expects more than 4.2 million cases this year
Read more
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Dengue fever deaths in Indonesia up 179 percent
As of the 13th week of 2024, dengue cases were recorded at 53,131, while the death toll was recorded at 404.
Read more
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LATEST ISLAND PHARMACEUTICAL UPDATES
ILA reports highly positive pharmacokinetics (PK) data for ISLA-101 from its 24-subject Single Ascending Dose clinical study. The data shows that the required levels of ISLA-101 concentration in the blood were observed after only a single dose.
Read more >>
Island CEO Dr David Foster recently spoke with market news publication Stockhead about drug repurposing as a common strategy for drug development companies to fast-track their clinical progress. Dr Foster also speaks about how Island has taken a slightly difference approach with regards to repurposing ISLA-101.
Read more >>
Joining world leaders in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, Dr Foster presented at this year's Asia Bio Partnering Forum in Singapore, April 24 – 25.
More about Asia Bio Partnering Forum >>
DID YOU KNOW
‘Mosquito detectives’ are examining mosquito remains in museums around the globe to examine them for pathogens that would have infected people with malaria while feeding on their blood.
"Pathogen prospecting provides not only an opportunity to reconstruct malaria's historical epidemiology, but it also informs pathogen/vector evolution and climate-based predictive modelling of malaria distribution." Mark Nelder, a medical and veterinary entomologist with Public Health Ontario who specialises in vector-borne diseases.
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