Current Health News Briefs: Major Developments in Biotech, Vaccines and More

The health sector sees significant updates: Asceneuron raises $100M for Alzheimer's research, Ivory Coast launches the second malaria vaccine, Novo Nordisk faces US scrutiny over insulin withdrawal, Philip Morris faces opposition on heated tobacco launch, Gaza struggles with a waste crisis amid war, and more.

In a significant development, Swiss biotech firm Asceneuron has secured $100 million from investors, including Novo Nordisk's controlling shareholder, to advance its Alzheimer's drug. Novo Holdings will gain a board seat in the Lausanne-based company.

Ivory Coast has commenced routine administration of the world's second malaria vaccine, the R21, developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India. This follows the implementation of the first malaria vaccine by GSK in Cameroon.

On Capitol Hill, Novo Nordisk executives are set to meet with Democratic U.S. Senate aides to discuss their decision to discontinue Levemir insulin in the U.S., raising concerns among lawmakers.

(With inputs from agencies.)