Important Innovations

Leads Investment in New Biotech focused on Therapies for Coronary Heart Disease Source:  Stock Image of Gene Editing Goal: Therapies to Safely Edit Human Genome to Permanently Reduce Heart Disease Risk Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.  Alphabet's venture capital arm GV is leading a $58.5 million investment to launch Verve Therapeutics.  Verve, based in Cambridge, MA, has been founded by a renowned team of researchers in cardiovascular genetics and gene editing.  They are developing therapies that involve editing the human genome to permanently reduce the risk of heart disease.  The company will use the funding to go into early stage testing of its therapies on animals. Verve's Focus The company says it will develop treatments only by editing adult cells so that the effects of genetic manipulation can't be passed on to future generations.  Also, it plans to focus on adults at risk of coronary artery disease. Their Approach Verv

Preventing "Insect Apocalypse" Critical to World Food Supplies Source:  Stock Image of Bee  Medical Innovation Breakthrough from Finland Bees are vital to the production of global food supplies.  They help fertilize 3 out of 4 crops globally.  They do so by transferring pollen from male to female flowers.  Bees are being wiped out by disease.  Scientists in Finland have innovated the world's first vaccine to protect bees against disease. Drastic Bee Population Decline There has been a drastic decline in bee numbers that could cause a global food crisis.  The bees have been dying from what's called "colony collapse disorder", a mysterious bee epidemic worldwide.  A United Nations study indicates that 40% of the world's bees and butterflies face extinction.  Scientists warn that will result in higher food prices and food shortages. Medical Innovation Breakthrough The new vaccine was developed by scientists at Helsinki University.