Global Health Developments: Vaccine Donations, Business Moves, and Diagnostic Innovations
A roundup of important health news includes Germany's mpox vaccine donation to Africa, Nestle's decision to keep its Health Science unit, UCB's sale of its Chinese neurology and allergy business, and new developments in mpox cases in the Philippines. Additionally, acquisitions by McKesson, bird flu outbreak in India, and diagnostics improvements by Labcorp are noteworthy.
Germany has announced the donation of 100,000 mpox vaccine doses to Africa from its military reserves in an effort to control the outbreak. A government spokesperson highlighted the provision of financial aid via WHO and GAVI.
In corporate news, Nestle's Chairman Paul Bulcke confirmed the retention of the Health Science unit despite CEO Mark Schneider's replacement by Laurent Freixe. Meanwhile, Belgian firm UCB has sold its Chinese neurology and allergy division for $680 million.
Amid rising mpox cases, the Philippines reported two new infections of a milder variant, increasing local transmission. Conducting further tests, Labcorp is evaluating the need to enhance its mpox testing capacity. In other news, India's Odisha state culled birds following an avian flu outbreak.
(With inputs from agencies.)