Research Roundup: New malaria vaccine, Diarrheal disease vaccine simulation, SARS vaccine development investment.
Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC)
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TOP NEWS IN R&D
This malaria vaccine is delivered by a mosquito bite ?Nature?(11/20)?
A study published last week tested a promising new malaria vaccination strategy that aims to boost immunity through bites from mosquitoes carrying a genetically engineered version of the malaria parasite, which could pave the way for improved malaria vaccines. There are two approved vaccines for malaria, but they are only about 75 percent effective and require booster shots. In a trial, researchers exposed participants to bites from mosquitoes that had a version of the malaria parasite that was genetically modified to stop developing after delivery into a human, finding that nearly 90 percent of participants exposed to the modified parasites avoided contracting the disease after being bitten. The next step will be a larger trial to confirm this strategy as a viable candidate to advance malaria control efforts.?
A new study found that vaccines for diarrhea could reduce bacteria-associated diarrhea and antibiotic use among young children in low- and middle-income countries, which could also help reduce the emergence of antimicrobial resistance due to antibiotic overuse in low-resource settings where cases of diarrheal disease are most common. The research team used data from a previously published study exploring enteric infections and diarrheal illness in children in low- and middle-income countries and generated simulations to estimate the hypothetical impact of nine vaccine scenarios, including six single-pathogen vaccines and three combination vaccines. They found that, compared to the other single-pathogen vaccines, a vaccine against Shigella could cause the greatest reduction in antibiotic courses, and an adenovirus-norovirus-rotavirus vaccine could cause the greatest reductions in antibiotic use compared to the other combination vaccines.?
New project aims to bolster global vaccine preparedness against SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 ?CEPI and PATH joint press release (11/18)?
Last week, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced $1.46 million in funding for PATH to develop antibody reagents for developing vaccines against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. Antibody reagents are critical for measuring and analyzing a vaccine’s potency and ability to induce an immune response. PATH will lead efforts to develop and test reagents, as well as collaborate with the Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development to select and scale up a SARS-CoV-1-specific antibody to ensure these reagents are available globally, particularly in low and middle-income countries. The project aims to strengthen global health security by allowing researchers and manufacturers the tools to develop and scale up vaccines quickly in the face of an outbreak or new variant.?
NEWS FROM GHTC
Neglected diseases are fierce, but so is Monique Wasunna Global Health NOW?(11/25), features the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative
Opinion: The world has responded too slowly to the new mpox outbreak – here’s what it needs to do now The Guardian?(11/21), features FIND
Drug-resistant microbes are on the march. Vaccines to the rescue? IAVI Report?blog post?(11/21), features the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Pharma still ‘falling short’ in providing access to low- and middle-income countries, analysis finds STAT (11/19), features the Medicines Patent Pool
GHIT Fund awarded Open Philanthropy grant to expand funding sources for global health R&D Global Health Innovative Technology Fund press release (11/19)
The superbug fight needs a better business model Global Health NOW?(11/19), features CARB-X and the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership
Amid record year for dengue infections, study finds climate change responsible for 19% of rising dengue burden MedicalXpress (11/18), features ASTMH
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK
Africa’s ‘Q’ cooks up arsenal of gadgets to fight malaria The Telegraph?(11/20)
New approach to stabilize RSV protein could lead to better vaccines NewsMedical?(11/20)
Biktarvy shows long-term efficacy and safety in HIV/HBV coinfection after three years ContagionLive?(11/20)
A new device for delivering drugs without needles draws inspiration from the elegant squid STAT (11/20)
Novel genomic test shows promise to streamline diagnosis of multiple infectious diseases CIDRAP?(11/20)
Djibouti experiments with GM mosquito against malaria France 24 (11/19)
Urban mosquito sparks malaria surge in East Africa Voice of America (11/19)
Sanofi, Formation and OpenAI design AI tool to slash clinical trial timelines Fierce Biotech (11/13)
AVIAN FLU R&D ROUNDUP
US CDC confirms H5N1 bird flu in a child in California Reuters?(11/22)
Advanced diagnostic kit developed for detecting highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus NewsMedical?(11/22)
Opinion: The world is watching the U.S. deal with bird flu, and it’s scary The New York Times?(11/19)
Avian flu infects 1 more California dairy worker; CDC details sequencing from Washington cases CIDRAP?(11/18)
MPOX R&D ROUNDUP
Mpox still a health emergency, says WHO Reuters?(11/22)
Kenya to take part in development of Mpox vaccine Nation?(11/19)
WHO grants emergency listing for Japan’s LC16 mpox vaccine CIDRAP?(11/19)
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 3
Virtual
December 3
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December 5
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February 4-5
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Photo credit: USAID