Viruses

In Vitro Testing of Innovation Pharmaceuticals’ Brilacidin for COVID-19 Shows Consistent Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Efficacy; Manufacturing Preparation Underway for COVID-19 Clinical Trial

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) and has consistently demonstrated robust in vitro antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19.

Key Points: 
  • Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) and has consistently demonstrated robust in vitro antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19.
  • Brilacidin also appears to be showing greatest efficacy in testing when administered as a pre-treatment (virus pre-incubated with Brilacidin prior to infection), in addition to being present during and post-infection.
  • The higher the SI ratio, the more effective and safe a drug has the potential to be in the clinic.
  • Positive results were also observed in a Phase 2 Proof-of-Concept trial treating patients locally with Brilacidin for Ulcerative Proctitis/Ulcerative Proctosigmoiditis (UP/UPS).

Osivax Receives Over EUR 30M in Public Funding to Support Development of Universal Coronavirus & Influenza Vaccines

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Osivax announced today that it has received over EUR 30M in public funding from different sources to support the development of universal vaccines against coronavirus and influenza.

Key Points: 
  • Osivax announced today that it has received over EUR 30M in public funding from different sources to support the development of universal vaccines against coronavirus and influenza.
  • Osivax is deploying the same approach toward a universal coronavirus vaccine to protect against the current virus, SARS-Cov-2, and future coronavirus strains.
  • The European Innovation Council (EIC) has selected Osivax to receive up to EUR 17.5M in blended financing with grant and equity support.
  • Additionally, Bpifrance has pledged EUR 15.1M as part of a Projets Structurants Pour la Comptitivit (PSPC) COVID-19 grant to support Osivax coronavirus vaccine program.

Matt Hancock: Contact tracing is working

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock answered an urgent question from the Shadow Health Secretary, Jon Ashworth oncoronavirus and the Government's response to the virus.

Key Points: 
  • Health Secretary, Matt Hancock answered an urgent question from the Shadow Health Secretary, Jon Ashworth oncoronavirus and the Government's response to the virus.
  • "209 patients are currently in mechanical ventilator beds with coronavirus, down from 3,300 at the peak.
  • He went on to talk about Leicester's local lockdown, saying:
    Mr Hancock told the House that "in reopening hospitality" the Government has "introduced contact tracing for customers".
  • He said that the "system is working" after three pubs have used the contact tracing system to close down and deep-clean after customers had tested positive for coronavirus.

Matt Hancock: Contact tracing is working

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock answered an urgent question from the Shadow Health Secretary, Jon Ashworth oncoronavirus and the Government's response to the virus.

Key Points: 
  • Health Secretary, Matt Hancock answered an urgent question from the Shadow Health Secretary, Jon Ashworth oncoronavirus and the Government's response to the virus.
  • "209 patients are currently in mechanical ventilator beds with coronavirus, down from 3,300 at the peak.
  • He went on to talk about Leicester's local lockdown, saying:
    Mr Hancock told the House that "in reopening hospitality" the Government has "introduced contact tracing for customers".
  • He said that the "system is working" after three pubs have used the contact tracing system to close down and deep-clean after customers had tested positive for coronavirus.

Papiloxyl Offers Guidance on Prevention of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Both Men and Women

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Premalignant lesions, called "cervical intraepithelial neoplasms", can be identified on the Pap test; it is recommendedfor every woman from when she starts sexual activity.

Key Points: 
  • Premalignant lesions, called "cervical intraepithelial neoplasms", can be identified on the Pap test; it is recommendedfor every woman from when she starts sexual activity.
  • They are prevalent in men with HIV infections, because the risk of infection is higher in this type of sexual relationship.
  • Currently when HPV warts appear, it is usually due to an alteration in the correct functioning of the immune system.
  • Part of the energy in food goes to preserve the functions of the immune system and guarantee the body's health.

BerGenBio to Present at Digital Novel Coronavirus Investment Forum

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 7, 2020

BERGEN, Norway, July 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BerGenBio ASA (OSE: BGBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, selective AXL kinase inhibitors for severe unmet medical need, announces that Dr. Akil Jackson, Medical Director at BerGenBio, will be participating at the Sachs Associates Digital Novel Coronavirus Investment Forum on 8-9 July 2020.

Key Points: 
  • BERGEN, Norway, July 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BerGenBio ASA (OSE: BGBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, selective AXL kinase inhibitors for severe unmet medical need, announces that Dr. Akil Jackson, Medical Director at BerGenBio, will be participating at the Sachs Associates Digital Novel Coronavirus Investment Forum on 8-9 July 2020.
  • Dr. Jackson will also deliver a presentation on BerGenBio at 11:35am CEST on 9 July.
  • AXL kinase is a cell membrane receptor and an essential mediator of the biological mechanisms underlying life-threatening diseases.
  • In cancer, AXL suppresses the body's immune response to tumours and drives cancer treatment failure across many indications.

BerGenBio to Present at Digital Novel Coronavirus Investment Forum

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 7, 2020

BERGEN, Norway, July 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BerGenBio ASA (OSE: BGBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, selective AXL kinase inhibitors for severe unmet medical need, announces that Dr. Akil Jackson, Medical Director at BerGenBio, will be participating at the Sachs Associates Digital Novel Coronavirus Investment Forum on 8-9 July 2020.

Key Points: 
  • BERGEN, Norway, July 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BerGenBio ASA (OSE: BGBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, selective AXL kinase inhibitors for severe unmet medical need, announces that Dr. Akil Jackson, Medical Director at BerGenBio, will be participating at the Sachs Associates Digital Novel Coronavirus Investment Forum on 8-9 July 2020.
  • Dr. Jackson will also deliver a presentation on BerGenBio at 11:35am CEST on 9 July.
  • AXL kinase is a cell membrane receptor and an essential mediator of the biological mechanisms underlying life-threatening diseases.
  • In cancer, AXL suppresses the body's immune response to tumours and drives cancer treatment failure across many indications.

Herpesviruses Hedge Their Bets to Optimize Survival

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 6, 2020

However, in some the virus emerges from dormancy; for example in babies and in transplant recipients, and it causes serious problems and even death.

Key Points: 
  • However, in some the virus emerges from dormancy; for example in babies and in transplant recipients, and it causes serious problems and even death.
  • Indeed, cytomegalovirus is the leading cause of birth defects and the leading cause of transplant failures.
  • Although there were established examples of plants "hedging their bets" by producing a variety of seeds that can survive in different conditions, the work was the first example of a virus using latency to hedge bets.
  • "We'd like to see if our new findings could lead to new approaches to treating latent herpesviruses," says Chaturvedi.

CohBar to Present at Sachs Novel Coronavirus Investment Forum

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 6, 2020

CohBar has initiated testing of its CB5064 analogs in a preclinical model of ARDS, to assess their potential as therapeutics COVID-19 associated ARDS.

Key Points: 
  • CohBar has initiated testing of its CB5064 analogs in a preclinical model of ARDS, to assess their potential as therapeutics COVID-19 associated ARDS.
  • The CB5064 program will also target the three million patients already suffering annually from ARDS of the non-COVID-19 kind.
  • The Digital Novel Coronavirus Investment Forum is a forward-looking analysis of the revolution in healthcare caused by the pandemic and the consequent exciting drive for innovation in the Life Sciences, HealthTech and Digital sectors.
  • The virtual Novel Coronavirus Investment conference will take place the 7th-9th of July with the main program including over ten hours of high-level speeches and panel discussions.

Beckman Coulter, Lenco Diagnostic Laboratories deliver more than 20,000 highly accurate COVID-19 antibody tests each week to New York City; Congressman Max Rose and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams applaud boost in testing resources

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 6, 2020

Lenco was among the first clinical labs to receive a shipment of the new Beckman Coulter SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody test .

Key Points: 
  • Lenco was among the first clinical labs to receive a shipment of the new Beckman Coulter SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody test .
  • Congressman Max Rose (D-Brooklyn) applauded the boost in new testing resources, stating:
    "While we're making progress in our fight against the coronavirus, there's no path to re-opening our communities without quality, accurate and extensive testing.
  • "New York has been at the epicenter of a medical crisis unlike anything we have experienced in our country since the 1918 influenza epidemic.
  • For more information about Lenco Diagnostic Laboratories, and its commitment to being part of the solution for COVID-19, visit: https://www.lencolab.com/covid19-antibody/ .