Israeli Study Links Weight-Loss Drugs to Higher Post-Surgery Infection Risk
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
A new Israeli study indicates that patients using weight-loss drugs like those in the GLP-1 family may have a higher risk of post-surgery infections. Researchers found a higher infection rate in patients who lost weight via medication compared to those who had bariatric surgery, suggesting potential nutritional deficiencies as a cause. The study calls for further research into specific patient preparation and monitoring. In business news, Nextage is merging with Prof. Chaim Bernholtz's companies to develop new drug delivery technologies, while Caribou Biosciences is seeking a buyer due to funding issues.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli study links weight-loss drugs to higher post-surgery infection rates.
- Infection rate was 8.3% for drug users versus 4.7% for bariatric surgery patients.
- Researchers suggest nutritional deficiencies may cause increased infection risk.
- Nextage merges with Prof. Chaim Bernholtz's companies for drug delivery innovation.
- Caribou Biosciences seeks buyer due to funding challenges for clinical trials.
- Roche launches Retina Innovation Lab in Israel for eye disease solutions.
A new Israeli study suggests that patients using GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs for weight loss may face a higher risk of surgical site infections following aesthetic surgeries. The research, set to be presented at the annual conference of the Israeli Society for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery in November, compared infection rates in patients who lost significant weight through medication versus those who underwent bariatric surgery. The study found an 8.3% infection rate in the drug group, compared to 4.7% in the bariatric surgery group, based on data from 1,250 patients collected between 2016 and 2018 from an international research network. Researchers hypothesize that the increased risk might be due to nutritional deficiencies, such as protein shortage, caused by appetite suppression and slowed gastric emptying associated with these drugs. An alternative theory suggests that patients using GLP-1 drugs may have had a higher prevalence of diabetes, an independent risk factor for poor wound healing. The study's authors emphasized that their findings do not definitively prove causation but indicate that patients who lost weight using these medications might have unique characteristics and risks requiring further investigation into surgical preparation, monitoring, and timing.
In separate business news, Nextage, a publicly traded company, is merging with companies founded by Prof. Chaim Bernholtz, the inventor of the successful drug Doxil. The merger aims to develop a novel drug delivery product. Nextage, which has faced financial challenges with its stock value dropping significantly, hopes to revitalize its operations. Bernholtz brings two companies: Eyna Pharma, which developed a generic version of Doxil, and LipiCure, focused on a liposomal method for sustained pain relief, potentially offering an alternative to addictive opioids. The market for this pain relief drug is estimated at $2-4 billion. Bernholtz, 85, will lead the development, bringing his expertise in liposomal technology and securing funding for a crucial Phase II trial.
Additionally, Caribou Biosciences, a company founded on technology from Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna, is reportedly seeking a buyer or merger due to funding difficulties for its clinical trials. The company, which aimed to develop off-the-shelf immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases using CRISPR gene editing, is now trading at a significantly lower valuation than its 2021 IPO. The biotech sector is facing investor hesitancy, partly due to safety concerns in related fields like CAR-T therapies. Meanwhile, Roche has launched the Retina Innovation Lab in Israel, collaborating with the Israeli Ophthalmological Association to advance solutions for retinal diseases, offering funding for promising projects. Lastly, Israeli medical device company Phantom GI raised $5 million in a seed round for its minimally invasive device designed to create a stoma without traditional surgery, potentially helping patients with intestinal blockages.
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