Research Roundup: Stockpiled bird flu shots, Improved PKDL treatment, Sudan ebolavirus vaccine trial
Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC)
Advancing innovation to save lives
TOP NEWS IN R&D
A team led by US Food and Drug Administration researchers last week published findings suggesting that three vaccines, already approved and stored in the Strategic National Stockpile, targeting earlier H5N1 clades that circulated in the early 2000s could provide some cross-neutralizing antibodies against the currently circulating 2.3.4.4b clade, which continues to infect dairy herds and some farm workers across the United States. Federal officials are already implementing a plan to produce 4.8 million doses of an updated vaccine targeting the current clade, with the first doses expected to be delivered this month, but, before being administered to people, the shots would still need to get regulatory approval. These new study results offer hope that the old vaccines could provide some protection if there is a need to start vaccinating humans before the updated vaccines become available.
Clinical trial in Eastern Africa finds a shorter, safer, and more effective treatment for PKDL, a stigmatizing skin disease Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative press release (7/17)
Recently published results from a Phase 2 clinical trial conducted in Sudan by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative and the Institute of Endemic Diseases at the University of Khartoum found promising results for a new and improved treatment for people with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), a serious condition that can develop after treatment for visceral leishmaniasis. The current treatment for PKDL is an injectable drug given for two to three months, which can cause life-threatening toxicity and must be administered under close supervision in a hospital. The new treatment is safer, shorter, cheaper, more effective, and more patient-friendly, only requiring patients to be admitted to the hospital for 14 days followed by an oral treatment that can be completed at home, offering hope of a new and improved tool for PDKL for affected populations, like in Sudan where nearly 20 percent of patients treated for visceral leishmaniasis will develop PKDL within six months post-treatment, the highest rate worldwide.
Sabin Vaccine Institute begins Phase 2 clinical trial for Sudan ebolavirus vaccine Sabin Vaccine Institute press release (7/15)
The Sabin Vaccine Institute and the Makerere University Water Reed Project recently launched a Phase 2 clinical trial testing Sabin's vaccine against Sudan ebolavirus, which can cause deadly disease, as seen in the recent outbreak in Uganda that ended only last year. Although Sabin’s vaccine was one of three candidates chosen to be included in a trial during the outbreak, the outbreak ended before the trial could begin. The vaccine candidate, which is based on the same platform as Sabin’s Marburg vaccine candidate that is already undergoing its own Phase 2 trial, was found to be safe and elicit rapid, robust, and long-lasting immune responses in Phase 1 clinical and nonclinical studies. There is currently no approved vaccine for Sudan ebolavirus.
NEWS FROM GHTC
With portable PCR platform, Prompt Dx aims to expand STI treatment options 360Dx?(7/19), features the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Acclerator?
In world first, consortium aims to test antimalarials in early pregnancy Devex?(7/18), features the Medicines for Malaria Venture
Time to hope for a Lassa fever vaccine? Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance article (7/15), features IAVI and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations?
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK
Siga signs $113M US supply contract for mpox antiviral Tpoxx Fierce Pharma?(7/19)
With seventh person seemingly cured of HIV, signs of hope for a broader cure Fierce Biotech?(7/18)
Llama-derived molecules target hidden strains of HIV NewsMedical?(7/17)
Improving HIV treatment in children and adolescents, the right way MedicalXpress?(7/17)
E.U. court rebukes bloc’s executive arm over Covid vaccine contract secrecy The New York Times?(7/17)
Experts explore new approach to vaccine trials and pandemic preparedness MedicalXpress?(7/17)
South Sudan launches R21 malaria vaccine rollout to protect children World Health Organization press release (7/16)
领英推荐
A ‘new era’ in malaria control has begun with a vaccination campaign for children in Ivory Coast Associated Press?(7/16)
Drug prevents COVID symptoms in mice by protecting mitochondria, without resistance risk Fierce Biotech?(7/16)
The Chilean tree that could help cure malaria (and a host of other diseases) The Telegraph?(7/16)
Zero-infection HIV drug ‘must be affordable’ SciDevNet (7/15)
AVIAN FLU R&D ROUNDUP
Bird flu that infected 6 Colorado poultry workers is closely related to the virus in cows STAT?(7/22)
The Liverpool vaccine factory preparing for a H5N1 bird flu pandemic The Telegraph?(7/16)
USDA maintains bird flu can be eliminated from dairy cows, even as doubts mount among experts STAT?(7/16)
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 23 Webinar: "The value of surveillance data in defining the medical need for new antimicrobials" Virtual
July 29-30 Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit 2024 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
July 30 Congressional briefing: "Understanding the power and possibility of clinical trials" Washington, DC
October 8-10 Global Forum on TB Vaccines Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
November 13-17 ASTMH Annual Meeting New Orleans, Louisiana
December 5 GHIT R&D Forum 2024 Tokyo, Japan
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.