Research Roundup: Multiplex diagnostic test approval, New COVID-19 boosters, First African cholera vaccine
Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC)
Advancing innovation to save lives
TOP NEWS IN R&D
BARDA-supported multiplex diagnostic test for COVID-19, flu, and RSV receives FDA-clearance MedicalCountermeasures.gov (9/7), features Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given 510(k) clearance to the BD Respiratory Viral Panel, an automated, multiplexed, and real-time PCR test that can be used to detect COVID-19, influenza A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from only one sample, which was developed with support from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The panel runs on a BD system widely used by hospitals and labs across the United States that can process hundreds of samples a day and deliver results in two hours. By reducing the need for multiple tests to distinguish the cause of respiratory infections, the test will help patients receive appropriate care faster and reduce burdens on the health system, which is important as the United States faces the rising threat of these viruses over the coming months.
FDA could greenlight new Covid boosters as early as Friday NBC News?(9/6)
FDA is expected shortly to approve updated versions of the COVID-19 boosters, which although originally designed to target the XBB.1.5. omicron subvariant should still protect against the currently circulating subvariants, as cases and hospitalizations linked to the new variants rise. While it remains unclear whether the agency will grant emergency use authorizations or full approval licenses, either will trigger the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make its recommendations for who should receive the shots, allowing vaccinations to likely begin soon in the United States.
Africa: Ghana manufactures first cholera vaccine in Africa Ghanaian Times (9/4), features the International Vaccine Institute (IVI)
Ghana recently became the first country in Africa to manufacture a cholera vaccine. The private-sector pharmaceutical consortium DEK Vaccines Limited produced the vaccine, as well as six others, including against malaria, HPV, pneumonia, and rotavirus, which are expected to be available by 2026. This was made possible through a licensing and technology transfer agreement with IVI. Scaling up local production of vaccines is seen as an important step toward enabling Ghana, the West African region, and the continent at large to reduce the critical shortage of vaccines and reliance on foreign countries and companies and to ensure greater access to vaccines that protect against endemic diseases.
NEWS FROM GHTC
Opinion: We won’t get the innovation needed to end TB without more R&D Devex?(9/7), features TB Alliance
Valneva and Pfizer report positive pediatric and adolescent phase 2 booster results for lyme disease vaccine candidate Valneva press release (9/7)
Latin America’s ‘silent’ killer: How doctors are empowering communities in Bolivia to fight Chagas The New Humanitarian?(9/6), features the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund
Opinion: The 100 Days Mission: How a new medical-countermeasures network can deliver equity and innovation The Lancet?(9/5), coauthors from FIND, Johnson & Johnson, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)
FDA provides tentative approval for HIV therapy for children ContagionLive?(9/5), features the Medicines Patent Pool
Opinion: Who will pay for new antibiotics? Chemistry World?(9/4), features the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership and the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK
U.S.-funded hunt for rare viruses halted amid risk concerns The Washington Post?(9/7)
Study: Blood cancer treatment found to kill latent HIV-infected cells, possible new treatment Pharmacy Times?(9/6)
Rising cases in Southeast could be start of U.S. RSV season, CDC warns The Washington Post?(9/6)
领英推荐
Single-dose HPV vaccine effective in preventing cervical cancer globally MedicalXpress?(9/6)
New HIV drug tackles multi-drug resistance Technology Networks?(9/5)
Is bird flu an imminent threat Precision Vaccinations?(9/4)
COVID-19 R&D ROUNDUP
Moderna, hoping for swift approval, shows updated COVID shot can defend against pirola variant Fierce Biotech?(9/6)
WHO concerned about rise in COVID hospitalisation but lacks data from member states Health Policy Watch?(9/6)
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 13 GVIRF webinar on “Vaccine Adjuvants for Global Health” Virtual
September 19 Accelerating R&D for snakebites: Building a common agenda for progress Geneva, Switzerland
September 19 New TB tools: Is ending TB (finally) within sight? Virtual; New York, NY
September 19-20 National Health Research Forum Virtual; Washington, DC
September 20 Webinar on clinical trials platforms for antimicrobials Virtual
October 18-22 ASTMH 2023 Annual Meeting Chicago, Illinois; very limited livestream
November 14 Toward a TB-free world: New tools summit Paris, France
December 5-7 13th International Conference on Typhoid & Other Invasive Salmonelloses Kigali, Rwanda
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