Nov 20, 2025

1. Email 1 Summary:

   Subject: mRNA venture funding plunges | Ramsay Health names new CFO | APAC minimally invasive neurosurgery demand rises

   Key points:

2. mRNA vaccine venture funding has plunged 82% to $90 million in 2025 YTD due to a $500 million cut in US HHS grant support.
3. Ramsay Health Care has appointed a new Group CFO, Neilson, formerly Chief Commercial Officer and CFO at Santos Ltd.
4. Demand for minimally invasive neurosurgery in the APAC region is strengthening, supported by new trial data and improved reimbursement.
5. NUHS and Genesis MedTech have launched a four-year AI innovation partnership.
6. The laboratory centrifuge market is forecast to hit $1.86 billion by 2030, driven by R&D demand and rotor innovation.
7. Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur launched a nursing-led diabetic and wound care service.
8. Singapore has launched Phase III of the National Precision Medicine Programme, focusing on patients receiving treatments.
9. Australia is set to open 11 new clinics for endometriosis and pelvic pain by early 2026.

10. Upcoming events include Healthcare Asia Summit and Healthcare Asia Awards in March 2026.

11. Email 2 Summary:

    Subject: Vaccine skeptics took control, Covid lawsuits follow

    Key points:

12. RFK Jr. has been raising concerns about thimerosal in vaccines, creating doubt and fear globally despite scientific consensus on the ingredient’s safety.
13. Stat discusses a first-of-its-kind trial suggesting marijuana smoking reduces alcohol intake moderately but cautions against promoting this behavior broadly.
14. Rhode Island’s SNAP incentive program shows mixed results, increasing fruit and vegetable intake for participants with already higher baseline consumption.
15. The Sackler family agreed to a $7 billion settlement over opioid lawsuits.
16. A wave of Covid-19 era lawsuits is gaining momentum, such as a case where a PA alleges her former employer defrauded the federal government by not reporting vaccine side effects.
17. Vaccine injury attorneys are preparing new legal strategies influencing policy.

18. Health experts warn that Kennedy’s anti-thimerosal campaign could lower global vaccination rates.

19. Email 3 Summary:

    Subject: 🥊 More subsidy pushbacks

    Key points:

20. Republicans oppose extending enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, favoring direct payments to consumers instead, but details of the plan remain unclear.
21. Senate hearings and negotiations continue, with GOP senators proposing redirecting subsidies to health savings accounts (HSAs) or cheaper policies that may destabilize ACA markets.
22. Democrats, urged by Sen. Bernie Sanders, push for a broad health care plan including extending ACA credits, repealing GOP cuts, expanding Medicare, and lowering drug prices.
23. Average employer coverage cost is expected to exceed $18,500 in 2026, pushed higher by spending on prescription drugs, particularly GLP-1 weight-loss medicines.
24. A potential revival of lawsuits alleges Tylenol causes autism, with a U.S. appeals court questioning dismissal of such claims.

25. Health care news highlights include challenges for Medicaid appointments, rural hospital funding issues, and Nestle’s controversial baby food in Africa.

26. Email 4 Summary:

    Subject: Kissing might have evolved 21.5 million years ago — and Neanderthals probably did it too

    Key points:

27. Measles outbreaks in North America signal risk of broader infectious disease resurgence due to vaccine hesitancy, funding cuts, and policy changes.
28. New research suggests kissing evolved around 21.5 million years ago among large apes and Neanderthals likely engaged in it as well.
29. Canada invests $1.7 billion over 13 years to attract top international scientists despite current funding challenges in research.
30. Features include outlook on Google DeepMind’s AI innovations, critiques of GDP as a well-being metric, AI’s potential to strengthen democracy, and Saudi Arabia’s expanding solar energy efforts.

31. Quote highlights concerns about climate change and malaria.

32. Email 5 Summary:

    Subject: Your first look at STAT@JPM26 — registration is now live

    Key points:

33. STAT announces live coverage and events during JPM 2026 week in San Francisco.
34. The Monday, January 12, 2026, evening event “STAT@JPM: Health Care at a Crossroads” will feature industry leaders including CEOs and investment partners discussing the future of health care.
35. STAT+ subscribers gain access to a dedicated coworking space near Union Square throughout JPM week for working and networking.
36. Registration is open for attendance and workspace reservations.
37. STAT remains committed to providing comprehensive reporting and meaningful conversations during JPM 2026.

Stay Well!