Welcome to the final edition of 2024: Pharmafocus December.

December brings the close of a packed and productive 2024. In this final edition of the year, some of the more notable news includes research about the role of antibacterial peptides in resistant bacteria (page 4) and the arrival of Alzheimer’s disease diagnostic blood tests in the UK (page 5).

In the clinical research field, AdipoPharma receives funding for clinical trials for its insulin resistance compound to aid research into more therapies for type 2 diabetes (page 6). Continuing from our September edition, primary biliary cholangitis remains in focus as the results from the phase 3 GSK trials into a drug for pruritus indicate positive results (page 6). In the Approvals section, Novavax receives the greenlight from the MHRA for an adapted COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 12 years old and up (page 8). More news in R&D as Sartorius Stedim Biotech opens a new collaborative Center for Bioprocess Innovation in Massachusetts, US (page 10), while Infrareal Holding is set to acquire an ex-Takeda site in Orth an der Donau, Austria (page 11).

An industry insight from Azurite Health explores unique patient challenges in three different regions, providing much-needed information on patient experience and what improvements can be made (page 13).

Finishing the year with some holiday-conversation fodder, there are Five Facts on medical maggots.

Enjoy the holiday season, and see you for Pharmafocus January/February edition in early 2025!

Natalia Elliot