Global Health Developments: Novo Nordisk, Malaria Vaccines, and More

Recent health news includes Novo Nordisk's $100 million funding for Asceneuron, Vertex Pharmaceuticals suing the U.S. over fertility support for gene therapy, and the launch of a new malaria vaccine in Ivory Coast. Additional reports cover bird flu in Oklahoma, a Gambia vote on female genital mutilation, and the Gaza waste crisis.

In health news, Swiss biotech firm Asceneuron has secured $100 million in funding for Alzheimer's drug development, with backing from Novo Nordisk's controlling shareholder. This Series C round was led by Novo Holdings, which will now have a board seat in the Lausanne-based company.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, seeking assurance that its fertility support program for Casgevy users does not breach anti-kickback laws. Casgevy treats sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.

Ivory Coast has launched the world’s second malaria vaccine, R21, developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India. This follows six months after the WHO-approved RTS,S vaccine by GSK began use in Cameroon.

Oklahoma has confirmed bird flu in dairy cows, marking the 13th U.S. state with such cases. This revelation shows a broader scope of the outbreak. The virus was initially detected in dairy cattle in late March and now affects over 150 herds nationwide.