The Spanish pharmaceutical company ESTEVE has entered into an agreement with Sanofi to acquire the rights to Caprelsa® (vandetanib) in over 50 countries. The drug is used to treat aggressive and symptomatic medullary thyroid cancer in adults and children over five years of age. Medullary thyroid carcinoma, a rare neuroendocrine tumor, originates in calcitonin-producing cells of the thyroid gland. Caprelsa®, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, blocks enzymes, reduces blood supply to cancer cells, and thus slows tumor growth. The acquisition marks another step in ESTEVE's international growth strategy, focusing on highly specialized therapies for rare diseases. In April 2024, ESTEVE already acquired a company specializing in endocrinology and onco-endocrinology, expanding its portfolio to include three drugs for endogenous Cushing's syndrome and adrenocortical carcinoma. Furthermore, ESTEVE recently secured a license for a biological product for the treatment of children and adolescents with severe primary deficiency of insulin-like… 

June 30, 2025 – The ongoing heatwave with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius presents a significant health challenge. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, in particular, threaten vulnerable population groups. This report highlights the medical importance of electrolyte solutions, their physiological basis, and practical application in extreme heat conditions. Physiological Role of Electrolytes Electrolytes – particularly sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium – are central regulators of fluid balance, osmotic balance, and neuromuscular function. They enable signal transmission in nerves, muscle contraction, and the maintenance of acid-base balance. In heat, the body loses large amounts of water and electrolytes through excessive sweating, which alters the plasma concentrations of these ions. An imbalanced electrolyte state leads to symptoms such as muscle cramps, hypotension, arrhythmias, or, in extreme cases, heatstroke with multiple organ failure. Pathophysiology of Heat Stress High ambient temperatures increase the body's heat production and impair thermoregulation. Sweat loss can be significant in intense heat…

Tularemia, commonly known as rabbit fever, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis. This zoonotic disease, which primarily affects wild hares, rabbits, and rodents, can also be transmitted to humans. Although the disease is rare in Germany, an increase in cases has been recorded in recent years. This report highlights the detection methods, the risk to humans, and the medical therapy for rabbit fever, based on current scientific findings. Epidemiology and Distribution in Germany In Germany, tularemia is mainly prevalent in European hares (Lepus europaeus), which are considered the main reservoir. Data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) show that a total of 178 human cases were reported in 2024, a significant increase compared to 102 cases in 2023 and only 22 cases ten years ago. Regions such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are particularly affected, where…

The latest developments in the Middle East, particularly the escalating tensions between Israel, the USA, and Iran, have drawn attention to a sensitive issue: the risk for Iranian nuclear physicists in Germany to become targets of targeted attacks by the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. Given the history of Mossad operations against Iranian scientists, the presence of Iranian experts in Germany, and the tense geopolitical situation, the question arises as to how real this threat is and what consequences it has for Germany. This report analyzes the background, evidence, and potential risks, based on concrete facts, expert analyses, and current developments. The context: Mossad and the Iranian nuclear program Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence service, has been pursuing the goal of preventing Iran's nuclear armament for decades. Israel views an Iranian atomic bomb as an existential threat, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly emphasized. In the past, Mossad has repeatedly carried out targeted operations against…