We find out about a new class of cancer therapeutics looking to increase efficacy and reduce toxicity in cancer treatment and examine the findings of a recent study by scientists at the University of Portsmouth, which spotlighted the unintended consequences of clinical antidepressants entering the environment.

Also, we take a look at the recently discovered Christensenella patent family to find out if this gut bacteria could form the foundation for the first drugs using microbiome bacteria, profile a new app developed by Roche to help match patients to clinical trials, and explore the results of Eli Lilly’s GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Plus, we examine how pharma companies and the pharma supply chain are tackling the challenges of controlling the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, find out how the UK’s relaxed cannabis regulations may impact clinical practice, and hear from speakers at the Medidata NEXT conference to find out how technology can help to solve current challenges in clinical trials.

Eloise McLennan, editor