From WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com …
— Wisconsin will join the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, Gov. Tony Evers announced in his final State of the State address.
Evers yesterday said he will sign an executive order in the coming weeks to affirm the state will join the network, which works to coordinate efforts during outbreaks and other public health emergencies. He called for “trusting the science” as well as public health experts and medical professionals, arguing public health isn’t a partisan issue or debatable.
He said “real lives are at stake if we fail to listen … We must do what we can to keep our kids, our families, and our communities healthy and safe.”
The announcement follows other U.S. states joining GOARN in the wake of the United States officially separating from the WHO under the Trump administration. The guv’s office has slammed the move for “undoing nearly a century of collaboration” with other nations on global health issues.
Evers also pointed to “skyrocketing” health care costs in yesterday’s speech, blaming Republicans in Congress for failing to extend tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.
“Congress must fix the healthcare crisis they’ve created, or every member of Congress from Wisconsin and beyond who allowed this to happen should be held accountable at the ballot box,” Evers said.
See more coverage from WisPolitics and WisBusiness.
Watch the full speech and see the guv’s prepared remarks.
— NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes in Beloit will provide radioactive isotopes to the Greek firm BIOEMTECH under a new supply agreement.
The companies recently announced the framework for providing the actinium-225, which will be used in preclinical research studies by the Greek company’s customers. The isotope is used in developing and evaluating targeted radiopharmaceuticals, which have applications in imaging and cancer treatment.
Frank Scholz, president and CEO of NorthStar, says the agreement will support preclinical research efforts and improve global access to radiopharmaceuticals. While he notes the market is growing, a BIOEMTECH executive says supply challenges are holding back the industry.
“Reliable isotope supply is a major bottleneck in early radiopharmaceutical development,” Chief Quality Officer Maritina Rouchota said in a statement. “This agreement enables our customers to run more predictable, higher-impact studies using our imaging platforms.”
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
See more in the release below.
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