Guru Bernard Marr has predicted the factors that will shape the healthcare sector in 2024. But no need to wait: these ASX shares are already in high gear.
Marr believes that the convergence of a longer-living population, transformative technologies and continued global economic uncertainties means we are heading into uncharted waters.
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Here’s a quick look at Marr’s thoughts on the most important healthcare trends in 2024:
Generative AI in healthcare
“AI will be instrumental in many trends here, but generative AI, in particular, will have a particularly big impact over the next 12 months,” Marr said.
“This will democratize access to other transformative AI applications, making it easier to implement and interpret results and generate personalized recommendations.”
Marr added that the applications of generative AI in healthcare are virtually limitless.
Personalized medicine
“The most advanced applications here are in genomics, where AI is used to analyze patients’ DNA to diagnose and treat diseases, and to create personalized medicines for specific people down to the molecular level,” Marr said.
Marr believes that a personalized approach to healthcare will lead to better patient outcomes and more efficient use of medical resources.
Virtual health assistants
“Virtual assistants and chatbots can help clinicians by providing advice on treatments, diagnostics and medications,” Marr said.
“They can also help patients by answering their questions about their care and connecting them with the information they need to make more informed decisions about their own care.” »
Increasingly, they also interact with electronic health record systems and are used to make and schedule appointments.
Virtual hospitals powered by IoT, telemedicine 2.0
“This trend includes both telemedicine and wearable devices connected to the global network known as the Internet of Things (IoT),” Marr noted.
“By using connected devices to monitor patients remotely and provide communication channels for healthcare professionals, more elements of care can be delivered remotely. »
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Preventive health care
“It covers many topics, including exercise, wellness and vaccinations, but it all comes down to the old adage that prevention is better than cure,” he said.
“This shift from reactive to proactive approaches will be a strategic priority for healthcare providers in 2024.
“Research has shown that this can create long-term benefits for patients, as well as reduce costs associated with treating preventable diseases. »
Elderly care
“Many developed countries have aging populations, which will inevitably put increasing pressure on health systems as people live longer and need more support later in life,” Marr said.
“There will also be an increased focus on developing new treatments for diseases that occur specifically in older people and place strain on care systems, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.”
Of course, many of these trends are already developing, and there was plenty of good news for Australian biotech companies in October.
October ASX Biotech Winners
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DIMERIX (ASX:DXB)
Dimerix advanced after announcing an exclusive licensing agreement with Advanz Pharma to sell Dimerix’s Phase 3 drug candidate DMX-200.
DMX-200 treats kidney disease caused by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and the deal will give Advanz the rights to sell the products in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Dimerix retains all marketing rights for the DMX-200 outside of these territories. DMX-200 is currently in global Phase 3 clinical development, with initial analytical results expected in March 2024.
NOXOPHARM (ASX:NOX)
Noxopharm experienced a sharp rise after announcing in early October that the US FDA had granted orphan drug status (ODD) to its preclinical drug candidate CRO-67, for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
The designation of CRO-67 as an orphan drug supports the Company’s asset development plan and future commercial value, as Noxopharm continues to build the data set that will be necessary for regulatory progression.
So far this year, only two other Australian companies have received an ODD from the FDA, out of a total of 260 issued.
Noxopharm followed this good news with another announcement in which it stated that new data shows that SOF-VAC, its proprietary active, significantly reduces mRNA-driven inflammation in animal testing.
In the animal study, inflammation was reduced by approximately 50% when comparing inflammation induced by mRNA alone to that induced by mRNA plus SOF-VAC.
Read also : mRNA is the next big thing in medicine. Here’s why Noxopharm could be the ASX leader in this space
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CHIMERIC THERAPEUTICS (ASX:CHM)
Chimeric skyrocketed as much as 73 percent Tuesday morning after a major announcement regarding its lead asset CHM 2101, a novel third-generation CDH17 CAR T cell therapy for gastrointestinal cancers.
Chimeric said the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light for the application of CHM 2101 for an investigational new drug (IND).
This approval means that CHM 2101 is expected to be the first-ever CDH17 CAR T cell therapy to enter the clinical setting.
With IND clearance from the FDA, Chimeric will now begin initiation of a multisite Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors.
The study is expected to begin recruiting patients in 2024.
ALTHÉA GROUP (ASX:AGH)
Althea has announced that its THC20:CBD1 cannabis oil (50ml) has been approved for reimbursement in Ireland.
Althea THC20:CBD1 will be reimbursed for intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
Controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is essential to ensure adherence to chemotherapy and reduce morbidity and total healthcare costs.
The agreed reimbursement price for Althea THC20:CBD1 (50 ml) is €330, or approximately $552.
Currently, Althea is the only supplier offering multiple cannabis oils approved for reimbursement in Ireland – Althea THC20: CBD1, and previously Althea CBD12: THC10.
THERAPEUTIC AROVELLE (ASX:ALA)
Arovella also made progress after announcing it had entered into an exclusive global license with the Sparx Group to develop a first iNKT cell therapy targeting gastric cancers, gastroesophageal junction cancers and pancreatic cancer.
Under the licensing agreement, Sparx will have access to use a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb) sequence targeting CLDN18.2 in cellular therapies.
The mAb, known as SPX-101, has completed all preclinical proof-of-concept, safety and toxicology studies necessary to start a Phase 1 trial to treat gastric cancers.
Sparx will use the SPX-101 sequence to generate a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that will be incorporated into Arovella’s iNKT cell platform to target these cancers and other solid tumors.
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This content first appeared on stockhead.com.au
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