Research Roundup: HIV antibodies provide vaccine hope, COVID-19 antiviral drug trial, Gonorrhea vaccine support

TOP NEWS IN R&D

NIH-developed HIV antibodies protect animals in proof-of-concept study NIAID news release (1/17)

A recently published study, led by the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), found that three different antibodies independently protected monkeys from acquiring simian-HIV, findings that could inform the development of an HIV vaccine for people. The antibodies, one isolated from a person living with HIV and the other two from rhesus macaques, all target the fusion peptide, a site on an HIV surface protein that helps the virus fuse with and enter cells, with the results validating the fusion peptide as a potential target for a human vaccine. Hopefully, the approach will continue to show promise in future studies, although a vaccine for humans would need to be able to generate multiple varieties of antibodies directed at the fusion peptide to increase the likelihood that the vaccine could prevent the full diversity of HIV variants.

Potent new pill provides COVID relief for the masses Nature (1/17)

A study published last week found that simnotrelvir, a COVID-19 drug administered as a series of pills, was effective in speeding recovery from mild to moderate disease. The drug was tested primarily in young people with standard levels of risk, a change from earlier antiviral drug trials during the pandemic, which included mostly people at high risk of severe COVID-19. The researchers combined simnotrelvir with a component of Paxlovid, currently the most widely used COVID-19 pill, with strong results and the only downsides similar to those of Paxlovid: bad taste and incompatibility with some common medications. Simnotrelvir has been available in China under an emergency use authorization since early last year and has been incredibly popular due, in part, to its much lower price tag compared to Paxlovid.

CARB-X to fund development of gonorrhea vaccine CIDRAP (1/16), features CARB-X

Last week, the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) announced that it is awarding $633,000 to Intravacc to develop a vaccine for gonorrhea, which is the world’s second most reported sexually transmitted infection. The new vaccine could be a game changer in curbing new cases of gonorrhea, as well as addressing the rising spread of resistance of?Neisseria gonorrhoeae?to the only antibiotic still effective in treating it. The funding will support the early-stage development of Intravacc’s meningococcal outer membrane vesical vaccine, which includes antigens designed to protect against infections caused by?N. gonorrhoeae.?

NEWS FROM GHTC

Dr. Kristie Mikus named as new executive director of the Global Health Technologies Coalition GHTC announcement (1/22)

CARB-X is funding syntiron to develop a maternal vaccine to prevent neonatal sepsis CARB-X press release (1/18)

Scientists explore how chrysalis-based ‘living bioreactors’ could accelerate new vaccine production Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) press release (1/17)

FDA to review European-approved oral antibiotic for urinary tract infections CIDRAP (1/17), features?the Infectious Diseases Society of America

Drug resistance: Could global goals be the answer to this worldwide health crisis? World Economic Forum article (1/16), features CARB-X

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK

Rollout of a new malaria vaccine kicks off in Africa STAT?(1/22)

How chicken farms are breeding antimicrobial resistance Deutsche Welle?(1/19)

Tackling bias, inequality, lack of privacy – new WHO guidelines on AI ethics and governance are released Health Policy Watch?(1/19)

Wastewater testing helpful in tracking mpox outbreaks CIDRAP?(1/18)

Anti-HIV drugs can be used to prevent inflammatory complications of bacterial sepsis NewsMedical (1/17)

Researchers identify novel factor in HIV transmission MedicalXpress (1/17)

A promising snakebite treatment seemed ready for prime time. Then, it backfired Science?(1/16)

H5N6 avian flu hospitalizes woman in China CIDRAP?(1/16)

People with HIV still running out of treatment options – not always because of resistance Aidsmap?(1/16)

COVID-19 R&D ROUNDUP

Researchers outline COVID-19 outbreak at Mongolian beaver farm CIDRAP?(1/19)

Could long Covid’s signs of immune dysregulation in the blood lead to a diagnostic test? STAT?(1/18)

COVID vaccines in European region reduced mortality by 57%; WHO warns of waning vigilance regarding virus threats Health Policy Watch?(1/16)

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 23 Webinar on African scientific research Virtual

January 31 Neglected Disease G-FINDER Report launch Virtual

January 31 World NTD Day event Paris, France

January 31 Webinar on global health innovation across sectors Virtual

February 6-7 Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Conference Virtual

February 14 Webinar on improving antibiotic access Virtual

February 27 Webinar on antibiotic R&D pull incentives Virtual

Interested in more global health innovation news? Every week GHTC scours media reports worldwide to deliver essential global health R&D news and content to your inbox.?Subscribe to receive our weekly?R&D News Roundup.