Ozempic has stormed the world, grossing billions and becoming a household name not only for controlling blood sugar but also for its dramatic weight-loss effect. But before it was a celebrity-favored fad, its beginnings were anything but glamorous. This medical wonder has its roots in an unexpected place: a toxic desert lizard with a remarkable talent for living on a few meals a year—the Gila monster.

The Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), which inhabits the deserts of North America, is famous for its slow movements and highly toxic venom. Its bite is lethal enough to kill small animals and inflict extreme pain on humans. But lurking in this venom was a breakthrough that led to Ozempic. Researchers examining the venom of the Gila monster discovered that it consisted of a novel hormone that delays digestion and modulates blood glucose levels—an advantage that enables the lizard to get by on a meager diet.

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In the early 21st century, endocrinologist Daniel Drucker asked for a hormone that mimicked the appetite-inhibiting and blood sugar-controlling action of human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) yet would not be quickly broken down in the body. He was prompted by the research of scientists John Eng, Jean-Pierre Raufman, and John Pisano, who had cloned the proteins in Gila monster venom and found two similar in structure to human GLP-1.

Drucker and his colleagues at the University of Toronto obtained a Gila monster from the Utah Zoo breeding program to further study its distinctive biochemistry. Their work identified Exendin-4, a protein that closely resembled GLP-1 but persisted much longer in the blood. This discovery ultimately gave rise to synthetic GLP-1 agonists, transforming the treatment of type 2 diabetes and, more recently, obesity.

Though promising, it took decades before the discovery found its way into an FDA-approved drug. The initial GLP-1 agonist based on Gila monster venom was approved to treat diabetes in 2005. The two decades that followed saw the formulation of more advanced drugs such as semaglutide, which is the active component in Ozempic and its weight loss equivalent, Wegovy.

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Now, millions depend on Ozempic to control diabetes and shed pounds, with demand so great that worldwide shortages have been reported. Its popularity has created a surge in off-label use, with social media spreading trends of dramatic weight loss among celebrities and influencers. But the tale of Ozempic is only one illustration of how nature's most toxic animals have led to life-saving medical breakthroughs.

Other Drugs that Came from Poisonous Animals

Ozempic is hardly the first life-saving medication to be developed from the animal world's toolkit of toxins. From the beginning of time, scientists have turned to nature to find answers to human illnesses, and in the process, have developed some of the most crucial medical advances.

One of the highest-selling medicines in the world, Lisinopril, has its roots in the Brazilian viper (Bothrops jararaca). The venom from the snake includes enzyme inhibitors that inhibit the blood of its prey from clotting so the venom can travel quickly. Researchers took this process and developed angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which decrease blood pressure and are commonly used to treat heart disease and hypertension.

Far down in the ocean, the Caribbean sea sponge (Tectitethya crypta) has been secretly making substances that defend it from foreign DNA brought by predators and prey. Those unusual nucleosides were the foundation for cytarabine, a drug used to treat leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma through chemotherapy. This discovery reaffirmed the belief that even the most basic life forms can be the solution to revolutionary cures.

In a breathtaking illustration of the paradoxical position of nature in medicine, deathstalker scorpion venom (Leiurus quinquestriatus) brought about the solution to the treatment of brain tumors. A team led by oncologist Jim Olson found that a peptide found in the venom, chlorotoxin Cy5.5, attaches itself only to brain tumor cells and leaves healthy tissue intact. This resulted in the creation of Tozuleristide, a fluorescent tag that aids surgeons in precise identification and resection of cancerous tissue.

The popularity of Ozempic and other venom-based medications indicates the yet unutilized potential of the biochemistry of nature. From fungal-sourced antibiotics to animal-venom-derived painkillers, researchers are learning every day about the possibilities for leveraging the might of nature. Researchers now search for potential new treatments for neurological conditions, pain, and heart disease from the spider venom, cone snail toxin, and even the bat's saliva.

But these findings are also a harsh reminder that most of these species are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and human use. The Gila monster, for instance, is threatened by land development and wildlife trade. Conservation of these species and their habitats is not only a conservation issue, it is an issue of future medical advancement as well.

Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike has entered a critical stage. After 20 days of without food, Wangchuk's condition worsened significantly. The spectacle drew nationwide attention as concerns over his deteriorating health continue to grow.

The protest, which began on June 28 at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, is aimed at demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in national entrance examinations like NEET and broader education reforms.

Wangchuk has experienced substantial weight loss ever since his hunger strike started. Doctors also warned that prolonged fasting could lead to serious complications, including organ involvement.

Sonam Wangchuk's Hospitalisation & 'Chalo Sansad' March

On July 18, Delhi Police shifted Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital following medical advice and court-directed health monitoring. The move sparked controversy, with supporters alleging that he was moved to the hospital against his wishes.

According to the hospital, he’s receiving the necessary medical care, and his vital parameters remain stable.

“Sonam Wangchuk is being given the required medical intervention at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital. His vital parameters are stable at present; however, his blood parameters remain marginally altered, and considering the physiological stress and systemic effects of prolonged fasting, he requires continuous medical care under the close observation of a multidisciplinary team of experts", the hospital's spokesperson said.

Despite being hospitalised, Wangchuk has remained firm on continuing his fast. In a handwritten note that was shared on his official X handle, he urged supporters to participate in the planned "Chalo Sansad" march on July 20.

When Does Hunger Strike Become Medically Concerning?

Also read: Watch: What Really Happens To Your Body After 72 Hours Without Food?

With Wangchuk's health continuing to deteriorate, his protest has renewed public interest in the medical dangers of prolonged hunger strikes.

The deterioration of one's health after a period of prolonged fasting is a medical emergency but it is highly variable.

Dr M Wali, Principal Director, Internal Medicine, Pacific One Health, says, "The timing of health deterioration becoming a medical emergency varies on various factors. It depends on age, existing health parameters before fasting, hydration, medications, environmental conditions and most important whether the person is taking only water or electrolytes. There is no fixed timeline for vitals to deteriorate."

24-72 Hours

In the first three days, the doctor says that the body suffers from spells of hunger, dizziness, and mild drop in blood pressure.

3 to 9 Days

During this period, fluctuations in blood sugar can start. The expert says that during this time, the body relies heavily on stored fats. Weight loss, low blood pressure, slow pulse, dehydration, and electrolytes imbalance start happening too.

10-14 days

Experts say that this is the critical period when serious complications can arise, especially like kidney injury, heart rhythm abnormalities, confusion, and collapse.

According to Dr Anshu Rohtagi, Sr Consultant at Department of Neurology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, "After sustained and prolonged complete fasting of couple of weeks, the risk of permanent organ damage and death increases manifold although survival depends on hydration and status of nutrition. Someone refusing both food and water can deteriorate much faster - sometimes in a few days also."

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Another expert says that during this time, certain critical symptoms are evaluated that could cause serious complications.

According to Dr Niraj Tyagi, renowned critical care specialist, "The visiting medical team looks for signs that generally prompt urgent medical evacuations. Some of them are loss of consciousness or inability to stay awake, confusion or delirium, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythm, very low blood pressure causing fainting or shock, persistent low blood pressure, severe dehydration, little or no urine output, dangerous imbalance of electrolytes and kidney or other organs injury."

According to human rights experts, "Whether someone can be shifted to medical facility or treated against their wishes depends on local laws, court orders, and, most importantly, whether the person is in sound mental health to take informed decisions."

Treatment Plan

Dr. Wali explains how the treatment course looks like for someone who has been without food for weeks.

He says, "Once shifted to medical facility, treatment depends on the patient's condition and may include careful rehydration, correction of electrolytes imbalance, continuous cardiac and kidney monitoring, nutritional rehabilitation. Doctors usually monitor potassium, magnesium, and glucose closely during re-feeding."

He adds, "It is important to note that even after recovery, the person may remain medically vulnerable even if they feel well."

A new experimental vaccine targeting one of pancreatic cancer's most common genetic mutations has shown encouraging results in an early-stage clinical trial.

Strong immune responses in most participants were observed, sparking fresh hope against one of the world's deadliest cancers.

About The Study

The Phase I study, published in Cancer Discovery, examined an investigational mutant KRAS-targeted vaccine (mKRAS-VAX) in patients who had undergone surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common form of pancreatic cancer.

The trial enrolled 12 patients with resected KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer who received the vaccine alongside two immune checkpoint inhibitors, nivolumab and ipilimumab, after completing standard treatment.

Researchers observed vaccine-induced T-cell responses in 91.7% of patients, with immune cells remaining detectable for up to two years in some participants.

Importantly, patients who mounted stronger immune responses also appeared to remain disease-free for longer, although the study was not designed to prove that the vaccine directly improves survival.

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Milestone Results Show Strong Immune Response

According to the researchers, pancreatic cancer has always been difficult to treat because it suppresses immune responses.

"The significant increase in vaccine-generated T-cell responses demonstrates that the immune system can be trained to recognize KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer," the researchers said, noting that higher T-cell responses were associated with longer disease-free survival.

The researchers said that these findings support continued evaluation of KRAS-targeted vaccination strategies in larger clinical trials.

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Parallel Research Shows Potential Too

The promising study follows another recently published Phase I trial in Cancer Discovery that tested a KRAS-targeted vaccine in individuals at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

That study found the vaccine safely stimulated KRAS-specific T-cell responses in about 90% of participants, suggesting such vaccines may eventually help prevent pancreatic cancer in selected high-risk groups.

Dr. Neeha Zaidi, associate professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins University and one of the corresponding authors of the prevention study, said, "Individuals at high risk due to hereditary predisposition or to the presence of a concerning pancreatic lesion detected on imaging usually undergo surveillance to monitor for changes over time."

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She noted that surgery remains the standard treatment when cancer or high-risk lesions are detected, but recurrence remains common, highlighting the need for preventive strategies.

Elizabeth Jaffee, another author, said, "The goal of this study was to test the safety of the vaccine and induction of durable immune responses."

She added that the clinical trial was built on existing evidence showing KRAS-targeted vaccination could prevent progression of early precancerous lesions in animal .

Importance Of KRAS

KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated cancer-driving genes in pancreatic cancer, with mutations present in roughly 90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. These mutations continuously prompt cancer cells to grow and divide.

However, scientists have spent decades trying to develop therapies capable of effectively targeting the protein.

Rather than attacking the cancer directly, the new vaccine teaches the immune system to recognize mutated KRAS proteins as abnormal and launch T-cell attacks against cancer cells.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most aggressive cancers worldwide because symptoms often appear only after the disease has spread beyond the pancreas.

While experts caution that the current findings come from an early-stage study, they say the results provide promising evidence that cancer vaccines can successfully activate the immune system against pancreatic tumors.

The Ludhiana health department has increased surveillance and prevention efforts after a bunch of new cases of malaria and dengue were reported in the district.

Health officials have stepped up inspections, awareness campaigns, and anti-larval operations, urging residents to eliminate stagnant water and seek medical attention at the first sign of fever.

Increase In Dengue And Malaria Breeding Sites

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According to recent reports, extensive door-to-door inspections are being carried out across residential areas, schools, and public spaces to identify mosquito breeding sites.

During these inspections, dengue mosquito larvae were found in several homes, prompting authorities to issue notices to property owners and instruct them to immediately remove stagnant water.

The department said these inspections are part of an ongoing strategy to reduce mosquito breeding before cases increase further during peak monsoon season.

Proactive Strategy To Prevent Increase In Infections

Also read: From Heavy Floods To Extremely Humid, How Mumbai's Extreme Weather Can Impact Your Health?

The move comes after Ludhiana experienced a difficult mosquito-borne disease season last year. Official data showed the district recorded 128 malaria cases, including one death, and 538 dengue cases with one fatality, making early intervention a priority this year.

Health authorities say that increasing temperatures combined with intermittent rainfall have created favourable conditions for mosquitoes to multiply rapidly, making community participation essential in preventing another surge.

Officials are stressing that dengue and malaria are transmitted by different mosquitoes and require slightly different prevention strategies.

Dengue is spread by the Aedes mosquito, which breeds in clean, stagnant water found in coolers, flower pots, buckets, discarded tyres, and rooftop water tanks. These mosquitoes are most active during the daytime.

Malaria, on the other hand, is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, which usually bite from dusk until dawn.

Eliminating breeding sites remains the most effective way to reduce the spread of both diseases.

How To Protect Yourself In Monsoon?

Doctors advise residents to watch for symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, body aches, joint pain, chills, nausea, vomiting, excessive fatigue, or skin rashes. Anyone experiencing persistent fever should avoid self-medication and seek medical care promptly.

Early diagnosis helps prevent complications, particularly in severe dengue cases where warning signs such as abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, or difficulty breathing require immediate hospitalization.

Health experts recommend practising a combination of personal protection and environmental control:

• Empty and scrub water coolers, flower pots, buckets, bird baths, and other water containers at least once every week.
• Keep overhead tanks, drums, and storage containers tightly covered.
• Remove discarded tyres, plastic containers, coconut shells, and other objects that can collect rainwater.
• Wear full-sleeved clothing, especially during peak mosquito activity.
• Use mosquito repellents, coils, vaporizers, or insecticide-treated bed nets where appropriate.
• Install window and door screens to reduce mosquito entry.
• Cooperate with municipal fogging and anti-larval spraying teams when they visit your locality.

Public health officials say that preventing mosquito breeding at the household level remains the strongest defence against dengue and malaria. While health officials and their teams continue surveillance for containment, they emphasize that success depends on active community participation in keeping homes and neighbourhoods free of stagnant water.