The pharma giant will acquire the treatment, called bretisilocin, for up to $1.2 billion, including an upfront payment and development milestones. Meanwhile, Gilgamesh will spin off a new company called Gilgamesh Pharma Inc. for its staff and other drug programs.

The move builds on AbbVie’s growing focus on neuroscience. The company had already signed a collaboration agreement with Gilgamesh. Last year, it also acquired Cerevel Therapeutics for $9 billion, but following the closing of the deal, the key schizophrenia drug at the center of the acquisition failed to show benefits in key trials.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…

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A private sector business has been commended for staging an initiative to promote a healthier Barbados, even as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness touted an all-of-society approach to tackle the non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis facing the country.

At the prize-giving ceremony for the 10,000-Step Challenge, facilitated by Dr Emma Dash of the Livewell Clinics, Minister Davidson Ishmael said the NCD challenge must be faced head-on.

“It is not just government that has a responsibility for tackling this issue. Non-governmental organisations, charities, clinics, and individuals at a very personal level, at the household level, all need to take responsibility for us being able to tackle the problem in our country,” he said.

The challenge, which encouraged participants to walk 10,000 steps daily for 90 days, came against a backdrop of startling statistics, with the Barbados government spending around $64 million annually to fight hypertension and diabetes.

Minister Ishmael said this meant $64 million less for investment in education and other areas, while an estimated $145 million was lost annually in productivity due to NCDs. Eight out of 10 deaths in Barbados are attributed to these conditions.

“It is a simple investment in your future, in your health, in your well-being and, of course, a very massive investment in our well-being as a country, because the health of a nation is indeed the wealth of a nation.”

Meanwhile, Dr Dash said the ceremony on Saturday was about more than awarding prizes – it was about celebrating movement, commitment, and a shared vision for a healthier Barbados.

She explained that the mission for the challenge was to provide large incentives for Barbadians to move.

“In a world where convenience keeps us sitting, we wanted to remind our community that every step matters, every movement counts, and every choice to be active is a step towards a longer, stronger, and healthier life.”

Underscoring the impact of NCDs, Dr Dash said, “They claim too many of our loved ones, reduce our quality of life, and place an enormous burden on our healthcare system. We believe that through collective action, education, and consistent movement, Barbados can set an example for the world.”

Prizes for the challenge included discounted services at Bayview Hospital, a range of electronic devices, and a portable air-conditioning unit by Coast to Coast Cooling. (STT)

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The Queen Elizabeth Hospital has secured a major boost to its climate resilience with the installation of a new 50 000-gallon water storage tank, part of a regional project to safeguard essential services against drought and other impacts of climate change.

The tank, donated by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), was formally handed over on Thursday, with hospital and regional officials hailing the investment as a critical safeguard for the country’s main health institution.

QEH Chief Executive Officer Neil Clark thanked the CCCCC team for their support in making the project a reality, and said the facility must be prepared for the growing threats posed by climate change.

“This is a significant step forward in strengthening the resilience of our hospital, our health services, and indeed our country,” he said. “Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increasing variability in rainfall are already affecting the natural supply of fresh water across our region. For a critical institution like the QEH, where water is not just essential but life-sustaining, these realities present very real risks.

“This investment is not simply a piece of infrastructure, it’s a safeguard. It helps us ensure continuity of care in times of drought, during emergencies, and whenever demand is at its highest.”

The tank forms part of the Water Sector Resilience Nexus for Sustainability in Barbados (WSRN-S) project, jointly implemented by the Barbados Water Authority and the CCCCC, with financing from the Green Climate Fund.

Head of Project Management at the CCCCC, Diane Wade, said the development should be seen as a milestone for the region.

“It is of significance not only because of what it means for Barbados in realising its ambitions of climate resilience, but also for the reach of its impacts across the Caribbean,” Wade noted. “The WSRN-S Barbados Project, approved in 2018 and launched in 2019, was the first full-size project for the Caribbean by the Green Climate Fund. It has since inspired a growing number of initiatives. Directly, project investments benefit an approximate 189 000 Barbadian citizens.”

While the original budget for the tank was $860 000, logistical challenges and global shipping costs pushed bids to more than $1m. A needs assessment carried out in 2020 determined that a 50 000-gallon tank would effectively double the QEH’s storage capacity.

QEH Director of Engineering Services, Paula Agbowu, said the hospital is now storing more than 150 000 gallons of water.

“The hospital installed a 50 000-gallon tank in 2018–19, which significantly increased capacity. This second tank from the CCCCC is an additional 50 000 gallons. So now we have in excess of 150 000 gallons of water storage,” she explained.

She stressed that while the figure may sound large, the hospital’s daily demand is substantial: “We need water for hand washing, for cooking, for steam supply, for sterilisation, for surgeries … there are nearly 200 toilets and sinks, plus many other facilities. We use an enormous amount of water on a daily basis.”

Agbowu added that the hospital hopes to eventually add a third tank to match its level of preparedness in electricity supply.

“At this juncture we would like to become a little bit more self-sufficient. With a third tank we would be at the point where we could be comfortable. In terms of our electrical capacity, we are at the point where we have two full weeks of capacity, and we would really love to be at that same comfort level as it relates to our water capacity,” she said. (SB)

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In-House Nutrition Counselling sessions are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Archibald Avenue office of the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC)

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Santo Domingo.- The Federico Henríquez y Carvajal University (UFHEC) has signed a scientific cooperation agreement with the University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy to study the biomedical and bioactive potential of sargassum. The initiative aims to turn this environmental challenge into opportunities for innovation and sustainable development.

UFHEC’s national rector, Alberto Ramírez, stressed that the partnership reflects the institution’s commitment to science, innovation, and the search for solutions with global impact. Meanwhile, Vice Rector for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Darwin Muñoz, noted that the research will focus on exploring the algae’s applications in marine biotechnology and health, opening the door to economic, social, and environmental benefits.

The agreement comes at a crucial time, as Dominican coasts have been severely affected by sargassum in recent years. To address the issue, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (MESCYT) allocated RD$85 million earlier this year to support projects that protect tourism and safeguard the health of coastal communities.

Santo Domingo.-The Dominican Republic has entered its hottest stretch of the year, lasting until late October, with extreme daytime heat continuing moderately into mid-November. The country is currently under the influence of Saharan dust cloud number 15, which could push temperatures up to 40°C–45°C from late morning to mid-afternoon, intensified by humid Caribbean winds.

Meteorological authorities warn that the dust may aggravate allergies in the coming 24 hours. However, conditions should improve over the weekend with the arrival of tropical wave number 29 and an atmospheric disturbance in the northeastern Caribbean, which could increase rainfall across much of the country.

Still, the relief will be short-lived. A 16th Saharan dust cloud is expected early Monday and will linger until Tuesday afternoon. The Saharan dust season is projected to end in late September, potentially easing the extreme heat that dominates August and September.

For many college students, back-to-school prep isn’t just about dorm decor and classroom supplies. A growing number of parents are reportedly sending their kids back to school with Narcan.

Narcan is a popular brand name for naloxone, a medication that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose.

Once a prescription medication, it is now available over the counter for anywhere from $40 to $80, according to industry sources.

SUPPLEMENT SOLD AT GAS STATIONS SPARKS HEALTH FEARS AS PEOPLE REPORT ADDICTION SYMPTOMS

In a TikTok video shared on a Wednesday episode of "Outnumbered," a mother detailed the "college health kit" she made for her daughter to take to college. 

"If anyone is ever at a party, or if anyone is in the dorm and has an overdose, it's probably good to throw in some Narcan," she said, holding up the nasal spray.

The "Outnumbered" hosts discussed the potential risks of students administering Narcan.

A recent article in the BU School of Public Health reported that few college students actually know how to administer the nasal spray, said Molly Line, Fox News correspondent.

"This huge comprehensive study was done a few years ago, and it talked about [how] just 15% or so could actually administer it effectively and be able to reverse the actual effects of the opioids in the case," she continued. 

Some students could be concerned about being held responsible in the event of an overdose, Line also noted.

"Some universities have put in place what's called a ‘good Samaritan policy’ … In the event of someone having a drug overdose or alcohol issues, it’s OK to step in and to do something," she said. 

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Anchor and host Harris Faulker noted that some parents wouldn't choose for their children to receive Narcan. 

"Maybe they would want somebody to call 911 first," she said. "I know you don't have a lot of time for a fentanyl, for example, overdose, but maybe your choice would be, no, you don't empower the kids to do this. You have somebody on hand who's a pro."

Paul Mauro, a Fox News contributor, said he supports college kids taking Narcan back to school, "just because the stakes are so high. You have people who could die … in seconds." 

He also pointed out that most college students are 18 and can make their own decisions.

"You can go fight in a war. You can do all kinds of other stuff. Let's not infantilize them. Go out, be an adult now. These are the metrics. These are things you need to worry about. Go forth and make your own choices."

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Co-host Emily Compagno noted that the U.S. has been "totally afflicted" by fentanyl poisonings.

"This isn't our college anymore. This isn't a Bud Light in a bottle anymore. Things could get really scary," she said. "So you need to be aware before you make those choices of putting something up your nose or in your mouth."

Kayleigh McEnany reiterated that "the stakes are so high and Narcan saves lives," calling it a "miracle drug."

"Obviously, we also need to continue fighting the fentanyl and opioid crisis," she said. "We need to fight the cause of these overdoses."

The panelists also noted that on some campuses, there will be people who are trained to use Narcan, and there could even be dispensers in dorms.

Mell McCracken, a certified alcohol and drug counselor and also executive director of No Matter What Recovery in Los Angeles, has seen more parents focusing on safety and education when it comes to substance use.

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"This kind of open dialogue is prevention, and has already shown real benefits in addressing the opioid crisis," the expert told Fox News Digital. "Narcan saves lives."

McCracken recommends that kids and parents receive Narcan training, which is "very simple, accessible and straightforward."

"Kids and parents can complete a short, five-minute online course to learn how to administer it correctly," the counselor said. 

"It is very low-risk, especially compared to the risk of not giving it during an overdose. If someone isn’t actually overdosing on opioids, giving Narcan won’t hurt them."

McCracken counters the idea that talking to kids about Narcan encourages substance use. 

"If anything, education and honest information about substance abuse is prevention. It’s these conversations that save lives."

Santo Domingo.- The Seventh International Congress on Health and Wellness Tourism will take place on October 22–23, 2025, at the Marriott Piantini Hotel in Santo Domingo. The event, announced by Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso, president of the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS), and Amelia Reyes Mora, president of AF Comunicación Estratégica and ADTS vice president, aims to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s positioning as a health tourism hub and attract investment to the sector. More than 35 local and international leaders from health, tourism, finance, technology, insurance, and government will participate.

The congress will open with remarks from Dr. Víctor Atallah, Minister of Public Health, and will feature keynote addresses by Dr. Marcela G. del Carmen, president of Massachusetts General Hospital; Dr. Henry Gallardo, president of the International Hospital Federation; and an international expert on artificial intelligence who will speak on “Revolutionizing Health Tourism: The Power of AI.” These sessions will focus on patient experience, system integration, leadership, and innovation.

In addition, seven panel discussions will explore topics such as challenges and opportunities in health tourism, transformative finance, international accreditations, the future of wellness tourism, innovations in Dominican healthcare, patient-centered design, and the role of technology in quality care. The panels will bring together executives, medical leaders, financial institutions, and design and tech experts to share strategies and best practices. More information is available at congresoadts.com.