Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently launched PRAGATI, a nationwide initiative to build 20,000 agri-entrepreneurs and directly benefit 20 lakh smallholder farmers through climate-resilient, regenerative agriculture.    Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan launching the PRAGATI initiative   The programme is backed by a coalition of institutions including the PepsiCo Foundation, State...

Milan,   Italy, July 08   --   Genespire, in collaboration with researchers at the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), has today announced the publication of preclinical data supporting the potential of its liver-directed immune-shielded lentiviral gene therapy approach to treat methylmalonic acidemia (MMA), a severe inherited metabolic disorder. The findings, published in the Journal of Hepatology, show that a single systemic administration of a lentiviral vector encoding the MMUT gene led to sustained improvements in disease features in a validated mouse model of MMA, with effects lasting for the average lifespan of laboratory mice. Since the mice were treated when young, the study supports the durability of the gene therapy through postnatal growth and maturation of the liver. MMA is caused by a deficiency of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, an enzyme that plays a critical role in the body’s metabolism of food. Its absence results in the accumulation of toxic metabolites that lead to recurrent metabolic crises, growth failure, neurological impairment, and multi-organ damage. In the study, researchers also treated mice with a dose containing an optimized MMUT transgene, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy. In the same mouse model of MMA, this version exhibited a dose-dependent improvement of metabolomic biomarkers, with gene transfer efficiency exceeding 80% of the liver. The study also highlights that genetically corrected cells in the liver may, over time, replace the diseased ones, suggesting that therapeutic efficacy may progressively improve even when starting at lower initial doses. “Together, these findings indicate that Genespire is on a clear path towards the long-term correction of metabolic diseases which impact the liver and other organs,” said Lucia Faccio, CEO of Genespire.  “We  believe our approach has the potential to translate into human health in the form of a single-administration treatment for patients with MMA, and are committed to continuing our efforts in bringing our lead asset for MMA, GENE202, to the clinic. We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone involved in the research project, especially those at the SR-TIGET.” “We are confident that this study, together with other previous studies from our group at SR-TIGET, provides a comprehensive pre-clinical data package enabling the initiation of clinical testing in pediatric patients affected by MMA” concludes Dr Alessio Cantore, group leader at SR-TIGET and Associate Professor at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, who supervised and coordinated the study and signed it as senior author....

New Delhi, July 8: The Poshan Tracker platform has achieved a major milestone by recording 8.93 crore beneficiaries across the country , strengthening the government’s efforts to improve nutrition monitoring and service delivery. The digital platform has become an important tool for tracking the progress of nutrition programmes and ensuring better coordination among frontline workers, beneficiaries, and implementing agencies. It...

  New Delhi, July 08 - QUE Universe, India's new-age fashion eyewear and lifestyle brand, launches a brand campaign, "Romanticising Indian Everyday," inspired by 90s nostalgia, which is going to capture the small, unhurried moments of daily Indian life. Marking a creative evolution in the brand's communication, the campaign embraces a community-first, culture-first approach where stories take precedence over products,...

Bhopal, July 8: The Madhya Pradesh Government is working to expand digital healthcare services to the remotest parts of the state under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) , with the aim of improving access to quality and affordable healthcare through technology. The initiative focuses on strengthening digital health infrastructure and connecting patients, healthcare institutions, and service providers through an...

Kendrapara, July 8 (UDN): In a unique blend of tradition and technology, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar is providing engineering support for the construction of the chariot for the upcoming Baladevjew Temple Rath Yatra at Ichapur in Odisha's Kendrapara district. Representational Image  The annual Rath Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 16 , will witness the procession of...

New Delhi, July 8: The Adani Energy project has marked a significant step forward in strengthening economic cooperation between Kenya and India, paving the way for a new phase of collaboration in the energy sector. The project is expected to enhance infrastructure development, support Kenya’s energy requirements, and deepen bilateral ties between the two countries. The initiative reflects the growing...

New Delhi,  India July 08 :  Le   Creuset   India  launched  the  Bleu  Riviera  collection at an exclusive event hosted at D'MONDE Members Club, an invitation-only private members' club in New Delhi. Breezy and exuberant, Bleu  Riviera  captures  the  quiet luxury of  the  Mediterranean  coast  in a single, striking shade. Its glossy  blue -green surface shimmers like sunlit waters,...