Research Roundup: WHO antibacterial R&D report, Broad-spectrum antibiotic partnership, Positive, late-stage results for COVID-flu combo shot

TOP NEWS IN R&D

WHO releases report on state of development of antibacterials WHO news release (6/14)

On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a new report detailing the antibacterial agents, including antibiotics, in clinical and preclinical development worldwide, finding that despite improvements, the pipeline remains inadequate to confront the urgent need for new, innovative technologies to address serious infections and replace those becoming ineffective due to rising antimicrobial resistance. According to the report, new products are not being developed at the pace and scale needed to ensure new antibiotics are delivered, given the time required for products to move through the pipeline and the likelihood of failure. Specifically, the report identified gaps in agents for children, agents with more convenient oral formulations, and agents that can address drug-resistant pathogens. The report also stressed that efforts to boost innovation must accompany parallel efforts to ensure equitable access to existing and new products, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where access gaps can hasten the rise of drug resistance.

GARDP, Bugworks to collaborate on broad-spectrum antibiotic CIDRAP (6/11), features GARDP, Bugworks, and CARB-X

Last week, the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP) announced an agreement with Bugworks Research to support the further development of a new broad-spectrum antibiotic that targets some of the most difficult-to-treat bacterial pathogens, aiming to enable access simultaneously in Western countries and low- and middle-income countries with a high burden of antimicrobial resistance. GARDP will provide Bugworks up to $20 million in financial and technical support through the approval and commercialization of BWC0977, a compound that has demonstrated in-vitro activity against WHO critical priority pathogens, in return for the manufacturing and commercialization rights to it in 146 primarily low- and middle-income countries. Bugworks previously received more than $12 million from the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator, or CARB-X, for the preclinical development and Phase 1 study of the compound.

Covid-flu combination vaccine shows positive results in late-stage trial, Moderna says CNN (6/10)

Moderna recently announced positive late-stage trial results for mRNA-1083, its COVID-flu combination vaccine. The company is the first of several testing a combined COVID-flu vaccine to announce positive late-stage trial results, as experts raise calls for new tools to ensure more people have better protection against both viruses. Trial participants who received the vaccine showed an improved immune response compared with those who got the standalone flu and COVID vaccines that are currently available, even for people 65 years and older, who generally do not mount as robust immune responses to vaccines compared to younger people. The company hopes to have the vaccine approved for the fall of 2025.

NEWS FROM GHTC

GHTC releases call for nominations for 2024 Innovating for Impact Awards GHTC announcement (6/17)

Co-Diagnostics submits at-home PCR system, COVID-19 test to FDA 360Dx?(6/14), features the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Opinion:?A new model of drug discovery could change the game on superbugs Harvard Public Health?(6/13), written by President of Global Health at the Gates Foundation?Trevor Mundel

New framework for visceral leishmaniasis elimination launched for Eastern Africa Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative press release (6/12)

￡8m Longitude Prize won for tackling superbug rise BBC?(6/12), features GARDP

Is germline targeting the future of HIV vaccine development? Aidsmap?(6/12), features IAVI

Indonesia ramps up fight against tuberculosis amid concerns on economic impact Reuters?(6/10), features the Gates Foundation

Overlooked and underfunded: Why the neglected tropical diseases need attention The East African (6/9), features Policy Cures Research

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK

Overhaul threat: NIH faces Republican call for reorganization Axios?(6/17)

Opinion: Decolonizing global health by engineering equitable relationships Nature Reviews Bioengineering?(6/14)

Zim has 8,000 doses of cabotegravir anti-HIV drug The Herald?(6/14)

Healgen gets Emergency Use Authorization for COVID, flu combo test 360Dx?(6/14)

South Africa reports second mpox death this week Reuters?(6/13)

Gavi launches vaccine programs for Ebola, meningitis, rabies, and hepatitis B CIDRAP?(6/13)

US government to fund up to $500 mln for studies on oral, nasal COVID vaccines Reuters?(6/13)

Low-cost, at-home antibody test can flag low immunity against COVID-19, researchers say CIDRAP?(6/13)

CorDx, iHealth Labs get Emergency Use Authorizations for multiplex COVID-19, flu tests 360Dx?(6/12)

Randomized trial, meta-analysis shed new light on optimal antibiotic strategy for sepsis CIDRAP (6/12)

Paxlovid tied to 34% lower risk of hospitalization in adolescent COVID patients CIDRAP?(6/10)

Roche molecular respiratory virus panel receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization 360Dx?(6/10)

Opinion:?Technology and public health needed to combat growing dengue threat in Brazil and Mexico LatinAmerican Post?(6/10)

RSV research: Nirsevimab 80% effective against hospitalization CIDRAP?(6/7)

AVIAN FLU R&D ROUNDUP

Study details reduced Tamiflu susceptibility in H1N1 flu cases CIDRAP?(6/13)

USDA reports reveal biosecurity risks at H5N1-affected dairy farms CIDRAP?(6/13)

Two dozen companies working to find bird flu vaccine for cows, US agriculture secretary says Reuters?(6/12)

WHO says risk to public health from avian influenza A (H5N1) remains low Reuters?(6/12)

Bird flu tests are hard to get. So how will we know when to sound the pandemic alarm? KFF Health News?(6/11)

Bird flu is rampant in animals. Humans ignore it at our own peril CNN?(6/11)

WHO confirms human case of bird flu in India Reuters?(6/11)

EU to secure 40 million avian flu vaccines for 15 countries - officials Reuters?(6/10)

NIAID is 'on the ball' with H5N1 research, but gaps in bird flu prevention remain: Experts Fierce Biotech?(6/10)

Texas bird flu strain kills ferrets used to mimic disease in humans, US CDC says Reuters?(6/7)

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 27 Webinar: "Progressing an antibacterial drug discovery project - an SME perspective" Virtual

June 27 Webinar: Developing a body of evidence for the Good Participatory Practice Guidelines Virtual

June 27 Webinar: "Tools for advancing maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) advocacy and accountability at country, regional and global levels" Virtual

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