Current Health News Briefs: Highlights from Around the World

Canada funds an Indigenous-led study on oil sands' health impact, US FDA approves Novartis' kidney disease drug, WHO polio vaccine campaign in Gaza hampered by conflict, Roche considers divesting $1.9 billion cancer data startup, and UK's NHS to roll out Vertex/CRISPR gene therapy for a rare blood disorder.

Canada is set to fund an Indigenous-led study examining how oil sands development affects the health of local communities, allocating C$12 million over ten years for the Fort Chipewyan Health Study. This initiative follows heightened pollution concerns from a recent tailings water leak at an Imperial Oil site.

The US FDA has greenlit Novartis' kidney disease drug Fabhalta, which targets excess protein in the urine of patients with a specific kidney disease. This drug is also approved for treating a rare blood disorder called paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

A polio vaccination campaign planned by WHO in Gaza is facing significant challenges due to the absence of a ceasefire in the region. The virus was detected in Gaza, and local health authorities declared a polio epidemic last month.

Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche is reportedly considering divesting its cancer data specialist Flatiron Health. Roche acquired Flatiron for $1.9 billion in 2018 to expedite the development and pricing of new cancer medications.

The UK's NHS is poised to introduce a new gene therapy from Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics to treat the rare blood disorder beta thalassemia. The therapy, known as Casgevy, will be available to eligible patients starting August 7.

(With inputs from agencies.)