Genentech has signed a $1bn open-ended drug discovery collaboration with Lodo Therapeutics to discover unique, natural products from the microbial DNA found in soil. With this level of investment confidence must be high, but just how much potential lies in soil, and how can it be harnessed?

We also explore whether a cannabinoids breakthrough signals hope for epilepsy treatment, find out about an innovative approach to cancer research and clinical trials from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and following the launch of a programme to add novel treatments to Novartis' malaria pipeline we take a look at the need for new antimalarials. 

Finally, we examine the latest requirements for freight hubs that prepare pharma products for transport by air and following the FDA's decision to publicly list the names of pharma companies that may have been denying access to reference samples for generic drug manufacturers, we ask if this 'name and shame' approach is justified.