A few years ago in UAE, a young girl got on her school bus like she did every day. But that day, she fell asleep and was forgotten. The bus was locked.No one checked. By the time she was found, it was too late. She didn't return home.Imagine if something as simple as a motion sensor or a smart bus checking system had been in place. This wouldn't have happened. Technology could have saved her life.But my name is Ethan Thomas VGIS here to talk to you about the future I want to build. Technology isn't just abo ...

Core Insights - Alloy Partners has launched OneHealth Studio, a venture studio aimed at creating and scaling companies at the intersection of animal, plant, and human health in collaboration with Elanco Animal Health [1][4] - The studio is located in the OneHealth Innovation District at Elanco's global headquarters in Indianapolis, bringing together research institutions, investors, corporate partners, and entrepreneurs to foster innovation [2][5] - Elanco, as the founding corporate partner, will help guide the studio's direction and support the launch of future portfolio companies, with additional funding from the State of Indiana [3][4] Company and Industry Overview - OneHealth Studio aims to incubate innovative ideas and build a community focused on addressing interconnected health challenges, positioning Indiana as a hub for startups in human health, animal health, and agriculture [4][5] - The studio will leverage expertise across sectors to rapidly scale impactful solutions for people, animals, and the planet, reflecting the growing importance of pets and protein in society [5] - Alloy Partners has a proven track record, having launched over 30 ventures in partnership with Fortune 500 companies and research institutions, and plans to welcome more corporate and institutional partners in the future [5][6][7]

Pharmaceutical & Medical Advancements - Nature holds immense potential for drug discovery, with venomous animals offering a wealth of chemical compounds for treating diseases [4][5][9] - Captopril, derived from the venom of the Jararaca snake, is a widely prescribed drug for hypertension and cardiovascular disease [5][6] - Semaglutide (Ozempic), originating from Gila monster venom, has revolutionized the treatment of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and renal diseases [6] - Cytarabine, developed from Caribbean sea sponge, is recognized by the World Health Organization as an essential medicine for treating certain types of leukemia and lymphoma [7] - Ziconotide, a non-opioid painkiller derived from cone snail venom, offers a new direction in pain management amidst the opioid crisis [8] Biodiversity & Conservation - The health of humans, animals, and the planet are interconnected, emphasizing the importance of ecosystem preservation for discovering new medicines and cures [11] - Traditional knowledge of indigenous communities regarding the medicinal properties of plants and animals is valuable and should be validated [9][10] - Venomous animals, often feared and exterminated, are potential partners in healing and should be studied for their medicinal properties [4][8][9] Future Research & Development - Further research into venomous animals and their venoms is crucial for unlocking new medical breakthroughs [9][14] - Funding research and protecting species are essential for sustaining the delicate web of life and ensuring future medical advancements [14] - Exploring the mysteries hidden in the chemistry of venomous animals could lead to new insights into human biology and potential treatments [12]

Conservation & Public Health - The speaker has been working with mountain gorillas for 30 years, highlighting long-term dedication to gorilla conservation [1] - Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) celebrated 20 years of conservation through public health two years ago [1] - The speaker realized that protecting gorillas requires improving the health of their human neighbors [2] - The "one health" approach to conservation is essential for biodiversity conservation and climate action [3] - Mountain gorillas share 984% genetic material with humans, emphasizing their close relationship [14] - Gorilla tourism supports conservation efforts [16] Community Engagement & Empowerment - Health education workshops were set up for local communities to address scabies transmission to gorillas [22] - Village health teams promote conservation education and community-based healthcare [30][31] - Family planning is promoted, with injections given to women at home, becoming a national policy [32] - Village saving and loan associations and livestock projects support communities [35] - Over 430 volunteers reach over 50,000 people in 10,000 homes around the national park [34] Sustainable Solutions & Economic Impact - A global coffee brand was developed to support coffee farmers and save gorillas, with a donation from every bag sold supporting community health and gorilla conservation efforts [36][38] - Gorilla tourism brought tourism back to Uganda and has helped to increase gorilla numbers [39] - Tourists are encouraged to support community members to reduce poaching [44] Threats & Challenges - During COVID-19, the risk of disease transmission to gorillas increased, necessitating mask-wearing [41][42] - A gorilla was lost during the pandemic due to poaching, highlighting the communities' over-dependence on tourism [42]