AGP Executive Report

Cancer Care: A prostate cancer foundation expanded its radiopharmaceutical think tank alongside the European Association of Nuclear Medicine congress in Vienna, aiming to speed development and patient access to targeted cancer therapies. Heart Surgery: MedUni Vienna researchers report a technique to enlarge aortic roots, potentially allowing patients to receive larger valve implants. Skin Health: Early findings presented at Vienna’s dermatology congress linked GLP-1 use with nail changes; researchers stress the results are preliminary. Vienna Hospitals: Strabag won a $170 million contract for a Klinik Favoriten project, adding to investment in the city’s hospital infrastructure.

Cancer Care: The Prostate Cancer Foundation expanded its radiopharmaceutical think tank at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine congress in Vienna, aiming to speed development and patient access to targeted cancer treatments. Medication Watch: Preliminary research presented in Vienna found nail problems among many GLP-1 users, including nails lifting or changing colour; doctors say more research is needed. Pregnancy Health: Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna and Barmherzige Brüder Hospital Graz warn that chronic conditions are an increasingly overlooked contributor to pregnancy-related illness and death. Vienna Hospitals: Strabag won a $170 million project at Klinik Favoriten, while Medical University of Vienna surgeons reported a new technique to enable larger aortic valve implants.

GLP-1 Side Effects: A preliminary study presented at the dermatology congress in Vienna found nail problems among many GLP-1 users: nearly 40% reported nails lifting from the nail bed, compared with about 10% of a comparison group. Researchers caution that more study is needed. Hospital Safety: An Austrian man has been charged over an assault on a nurse at a Bratislava hospital. Slovakia’s health minister says minimum security standards will soon be required at hospitals. Pregnancy and Chronic Disease: Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna and a Graz hospital warn that conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and mental health disorders are an increasing source of pregnancy-related illness and death. Vienna Healthcare: Strabag has won a $170 million contract for a project at Klinik Favoriten, while a Medical University of Vienna cardiac surgery team has reported a new approach to a key challenge in aortic valve treatment.

Disease Alert: Europe has recorded a record 1,715 locally acquired West Nile virus infections and 130 deaths this year, the ECDC says. The mosquito-borne virus is appearing in more northern areas, though no Austria-specific figures were provided. Stress Relief: A University of Graz-led study found that placing a hand on the heart and abdomen for 20 seconds before a stressful task lowered participants’ cortisol response. Heart Surgery: MedUni Vienna and University Hospital Vienna developed a technique to widen the aortic root, allowing larger replacement valves to be implanted and potentially improving blood flow. Initial clinical findings have been published. Antimicrobial Resistance: At the European Health Forum Gastein, experts called for more funding and better coordination across human, animal and environmental health, warning that Europe’s response to antimicrobial resistance is still too slow.

Public Health: Europe has recorded a record 1,715 locally acquired West Nile virus cases and 130 deaths as of Oct. 7, according to the ECDC; infections are spreading into new areas. Stress and Wellbeing: A University of Graz researcher says placing a hand on the heart and abdomen for 20 seconds before a stressful event may lower the body’s cortisol response, based on a study of 159 participants. Medical Research: Four centres have completed initial clinical assessments of an upgraded SPECT-CT system for imaging cancer therapies, with new findings due at the European nuclear medicine congress in Vienna. Antimicrobial Resistance: Experts at the European Health Forum Gastein warned Europe’s response remains slow, citing fragmented responsibilities, data gaps and inadequate funding for cross-sector work. Injury Update: Norwegian ski star Aleksander Aamodt Kilde ruptured his Achilles in training and is returning to his base in Innsbruck for further assessment.

Sports Medicine: Ski star Aleksander Aamodt Kilde ruptured his Achilles in a training crash in Chile. He is returning to Innsbruck, his Austrian base, for assessment and treatment planning. Vienna Cardiac Surgery: MedUni Vienna surgeons report a new technique to widen a small aortic root, allowing larger replacement valves and potentially improving blood flow. Cancer Research: Vienna biotech firm invIOs reported early Phase 1 results for its cell therapy in 17 patients with advanced solid tumours. The treatment was well tolerated; five of 10 assessable patients had stable disease. Dermatology: At the EADV congress in Vienna, trial results included a psoriasis drug outperforming a rival at 16 weeks and sustained skin clearance with another treatment over two years. Healthcare Worker Safety: An Austrian man has been charged over an alleged assault on a nurse at a Bratislava hospital; the nurse suffered injuries and remains on sick leave.

Cancer Research: Vienna biotech invIOs reported encouraging early results for APN401, an experimental immune-cell therapy tested in 17 people with advanced solid tumours. It was well tolerated, with no severe treatment-related side effects; 5 of 10 patients whose disease could be assessed had stable disease. Austrian Wellness: Sauna Aufguss, a choreographed ritual using scented ice and towel-fanned steam, is gaining popularity at European retreats. A recent visit to a resort near Salzburg offered a look at the 10-to-15-minute sessions rooted in German-speaking sauna traditions.

Dermatology Research: Vienna’s EADV congress highlighted promising eczema findings: in a trial, lebrikizumab improved hand and foot symptoms, while a separate analysis found different effects between two treatment types. Pregnancy and Medication: A registry presented at the congress offered reassuring findings on dupilumab use during pregnancy, reporting no increased risk of major birth defects or other adverse outcomes. Mental Health Care: A recent guide outlines how to seek depression treatment in Austria and what health insurance covers.

Sports Medicine: A Vienna-led study found that 46 of 47 people with ACL tears returned to their pre-injury activity levels after treatment with cells from their own blood and platelet-rich plasma. The retrospective study had no control group, so it cannot establish that the treatment caused the improvement. Skin Research: At a Vienna dermatology congress, trial results showed continued hair regrowth with investigational rezpegaldesleukin for severe alopecia areata; larger studies are needed to confirm its benefits. Cancer Care: German and Austrian researchers tested blood-based ctDNA to guide chemotherapy after surgery for stage II colorectal cancer. Only 41 patients with positive results were randomized, making the findings too limited to settle whether chemotherapy helps. Mental Health: A recent guide explains how to seek depression treatment in Austria and what health insurance covers.

Virus Research: The Institute of Virology at the Medical University of Innsbruck has joined the Global Virus Network as a Center of Excellence, bringing Austrian expertise in emerging viruses, vaccines and surveillance into an international research coalition. Dermatology: Studies presented at the EADV congress in Vienna reported promising results for oral treatments for psoriasis and vitiligo, including a trial in which zasocitinib outperformed another oral psoriasis drug at 16 weeks. Medicine Logistics: FedEx has launched an online portal for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments in Austria and 25 other European markets, aimed at helping drugmakers and clinical-trial teams manage sensitive deliveries.

Food Safety: Austria is among 10 European countries reporting cases in a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 160 people. Many cases began between July and September; investigators suspect ongoing spread linked to produce, with some patients reporting tomatoes. Skin Health: An investigational cream reduced actinic keratosis lesions by 43.5% in a small study presented in Vienna, compared with 11.3% on untreated skin. The early results need further study before the treatment can be considered for routine care. Care in Austria: A recent guide explains how to seek depression treatment in Austria and what health insurance covers. Environmental Health: A European study found TFA, a PFAS chemical, in all 110 blood samples tested, prompting calls for a pesticide ban.

Dermatology: Early Vienna conference results suggest experimental RLS-1496 cream reduced actinic keratosis lesions by 43.5% over eight weeks, compared with 11.3% on untreated skin. A separate, very small atopic dermatitis study reported changes in skin-age and inflammation markers; the findings need further testing. Experts also stressed that patients whose eczema remains uncontrolled on creams should discuss systemic treatment rather than delay while seeking a “perfect” first biologic. Mental Health: An Austria-focused guide explains how to seek depression treatment and what health insurance covers. Brain Research: A University of Graz-led study of 142 adults linked drawing ability with the brain’s white-matter connections, adding to evidence that creativity involves networks across the brain.

PFAS Exposure: A European study found TFA in all 110 blood samples tested, renewing calls to ban PFAS pesticides. Researchers have not set a blood-level benchmark linked to health effects. Depression Care in Austria: A new guide explains how people can seek treatment and what Austrian health insurance covers. Sleep and Stroke: A review links insomnia to a 26% higher relative risk of stroke, though the finding does not establish that insomnia causes strokes. Medicines Regulation: Austria’s AGES granted GMP certification to an Indian pharmaceutical plant, supporting its access to European and other markets. Weight-Loss Drug Safety: A new study has linked GLP-1 medicines to nail disorders.

Dermatology: A recent discussion highlighted new ways to tailor skin-cancer care, including a melanoma test that may help identify patients at lower risk of a positive lymph node, and Ameluz photodynamic therapy as an option for superficial basal cell carcinoma. Mental Health: A new guide explains how to seek depression treatment in Austria and what health insurance covers. Sleep and Stroke: An international review involving researchers from the Medical University of Vienna found insomnia was associated with a 26% higher relative risk of stroke; the authors caution this does not prove insomnia causes stroke. Medicines: Austria’s AGES issued GMP certification to an Indian facility making injections, tablets and capsules for European and other markets.

Sleep and Stroke: An international review involving Medical University of Vienna researchers found insomnia was associated with a 26% higher relative risk of stroke and more hospital admissions. The authors caution that the findings do not show insomnia causes these outcomes. Skin-Care Safety: Research presented at a Vienna dermatology conference found most popular TikTok videos promoting “glass skin” included potentially misleading claims; dermatologists warn that layering active products can irritate skin and trigger acne. Depression Care: A guide explains how to seek depression treatment in Austria and what health insurance covers. Medicine Standards: Austria’s AGES issued GMP certification to an Indian plant making injections, tablets and capsules for Europe and other markets after an inspection.

Medicines: Austria’s AGES has granted GMP certification to an Indian facility making sterile injections, tablets and capsules for European and other markets, following a July inspection. Skin Health: Research presented at the dermatology congress in Vienna warns that “glass skin” routines promoted online can mislead users and risk irritation, acne and damage to the skin barrier when products are layered without regard to skin type. Lupus Research: A phase 2 trial presented at the same congress found that experimental drug daxdilimab reduced disease activity in people with treatment-resistant discoid lupus, a condition with few treatment options. Wellness: An Austrian medical-resort expert urged people to focus on individual needs rather than follow popular supplements, fasting plans or other wellness trends.