Sarbecovirus

Study reveals children and youth had highest rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada before third wave

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Coronaviridae, Sarbecovirus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Seroprevalence, COVID-19

This brings the total percentage of Canadians with some form of immunity before the third wave to 3.6%.

Key Points: 
  • This brings the total percentage of Canadians with some form of immunity before the third wave to 3.6%.
  • Younger age groups and especially children and adolescents - had higher rates of antibodies in their blood suggesting a past SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 3.4% among children and youth 1 to 19 years of age between November and April 2021, explains Mr. Gravel.
  • As vaccines had not yet been distributed to this age group at the time of the survey, nearly all of these children and youth had antibodies due to a previous infection.

Verge Genomics Presents Preclinical Data Supporting Broad-Spectrum Potential of Its Novel, Oral Antiviral at the 31st European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Health, Infectious diseases, Genetics, Clinical trials, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Coronaviridae, Sarbecovirus, Antiviral drug, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, COVID-19 drug repurposing research, GC376, the Preclinical Study, PIKfyve, Verge Genomics, THE PRECLINICAL STUDY, PIKFYVE, VERGE GENOMICS

The results will be presented at the 31st European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) online meeting being held July 9-12, 2021.

Key Points: 
  • The results will be presented at the 31st European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) online meeting being held July 9-12, 2021.
  • There remains an urgent need for oral antiviral treatments for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, said Alice Zhang, CEO and Co-Founder of Verge Genomics.
  • Verge has demonstrated potent antiviral activity in vitro and improvement of SARS-CoV-2-induced pathology in vivo by the PIKfyve inhibitor, VRG101.
  • Verge is focused on developing therapeutics for serious genetic diseases using human genomics and machine learning.

ABT PARTNERS WITH CDC ON NEJM STUDY SHOWING COVID-19 VACCINES EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING AND MODERATING EFFECTS OF INFECTIONS

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Coronaviridae, Sarbecovirus, Zoonoses, Bat virome, COVID-19, Occupational safety and health, Public health, Severe acute respiratory syndrome

Abt Associates partnered with the CDC on the study, which showed that the vaccines not only prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections but also reduce serious symptoms among those with breakthrough infections despite vaccination.

Key Points: 
  • Abt Associates partnered with the CDC on the study, which showed that the vaccines not only prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections but also reduce serious symptoms among those with breakthrough infections despite vaccination.
  • A group of 3,975 healthcare personnel, first responders, and other essential and frontline workers completed weekly SARS-CoV-2 nasal swab testing from December 14, 2020, to April 10, 2021.
  • Such studies increase the publics knowledge and understanding of COVID-19, adds Project Director Danielle Hunt, an Abt vice president and senior epidemiologist.
  • Abt Associates is a global consulting and research firm that uses data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people's lives.

Atea’s AT-527, an Oral Antiviral Drug Candidate, Reduces Viral Replication in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Phase 2 Interim Analysis

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Coronaviridae, Sarbecovirus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Antiviral drug, Severe acute respiratory syndrome

Roche and Atea are jointly developing AT-527, an oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agent derived from Ateas purine nucleotide prodrug platform.

Key Points: 
  • Roche and Atea are jointly developing AT-527, an oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agent derived from Ateas purine nucleotide prodrug platform.
  • The interim analysis of the Phase 2 study included data from 70 hospitalized, high-risk patients with COVID-19 of which data from 62 patients were evaluable for virology analysis.
  • AT-527s SARS-CoV-2 potent antiviral activity was also observed in patients with higher baseline viral loads above the median of 5.26 log10 as compared to placebo.
  • We are very pleased with the potent antiviral activity of AT-527 demonstrated by the rapid inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication.

Pardes Biosciences and FS Development Corp. II Announce Merger Agreement Creating Publicly Listed Biopharmaceutical Company Advancing Oral Antiviral Drugs to Treat and Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Infections

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Infectious diseases, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Health, Bat virome, Sarbecovirus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Animal diseases, Infectious diseases, Medical specialties, Pardes Biosciences, FS Development Corp. II (FSII), PARDES BIOSCIENCES, FS DEVELOPMENT CORP. II (FSII)

Pardes Biosciences, Inc., an early-stage biopharmaceutical company, and FS Development Corp. II (Nasdaq: FSII), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by Foresite Capital, today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement.

Key Points: 
  • Pardes Biosciences, Inc., an early-stage biopharmaceutical company, and FS Development Corp. II (Nasdaq: FSII), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by Foresite Capital, today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement.
  • The proposed transaction has been approved by the boards of Pardes Biosciences and FS Development Corp. II, including all of their disinterested directors.
  • Pardes Biosciences is an agile biopharmaceutical company committed to solving some of the worlds most pressing public health challenges.
  • The companys lead product candidate, PBI-0451, is being developed as a potential direct-acting, oral antiviral drug to treat and prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections.

LumiraDx High Sensitivity Point of Care Antigen Test Detects Against Leading Variants of Concern including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Coronaviridae, Branches of biology, Medicine, Sarbecovirus, Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Zoonoses, COVID-19, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Peplomer, Rapid antigen test, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 Iota variant

LONDON, June 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Today, LumiraDx, a next-generation point of care (POC) diagnostics testing company ("LumiraDx" or "Company"), confirmed that the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test detects major global SARS-CoV-2 variants including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Epsilon variants.

Key Points: 
  • LONDON, June 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Today, LumiraDx, a next-generation point of care (POC) diagnostics testing company ("LumiraDx" or "Company"), confirmed that the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test detects major global SARS-CoV-2 variants including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Epsilon variants.
  • SARS-CoV-2, like other viruses, is constantly mutating, and becoming more diverse with new variants of the virus occurring over time.
  • The LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Antigen test is well positioned to detect these existing and new variants.
  • Unlike PCR, the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test uses antibodies, not nucleic acid based-primers, to capture SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen, not the spike protein.

 LumiraDx High Sensitivity Point of Care Antigen Test Detects Against Leading Variants of Concern including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Coronaviridae, Branches of biology, Medicine, Sarbecovirus, Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Zoonoses, COVID-19, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Peplomer, Rapid antigen test, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 Iota variant

LONDON, June 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Today, LumiraDx, a next-generation point of care (POC) diagnostics testing company ("LumiraDx" or "Company"), confirmed that the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test detects major global SARS-CoV-2 variants including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Epsilon variants.

Key Points: 
  • LONDON, June 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Today, LumiraDx, a next-generation point of care (POC) diagnostics testing company ("LumiraDx" or "Company"), confirmed that the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test detects major global SARS-CoV-2 variants including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Epsilon variants.
  • SARS-CoV-2, like other viruses, is constantly mutating, and becoming more diverse with new variants of the virus occurring over time.
  • The LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Antigen test is well positioned to detect these existing and new variants.
  • Unlike PCR, the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test uses antibodies, not nucleic acid based-primers, to capture SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen, not the spike protein.

Building Hope Introduces Discount Purchasing Program for Advanced Air and Surface Purifying Technology to Accelerate Charter Schools’ Safe Return to In-Person Learning

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Primary, Secondary, Education, Philanthropy, Other Philanthropy, Fund Raising, Foundation, Sarbecovirus, Charter schools in the United States, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Coronavirus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Charter School, Veterinary medicine, Animals, Health sciences

Through Building Hopes Discount Purchasing Program , charter schools may acquire ActivePure Vollara Air & Surface Pro purifier systems, which safely destroy 99% of common surface and airborne contaminates, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and other viruses, bacteria, mold, and allergens in high-occupancy areas.

Key Points: 
  • Through Building Hopes Discount Purchasing Program , charter schools may acquire ActivePure Vollara Air & Surface Pro purifier systems, which safely destroy 99% of common surface and airborne contaminates, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and other viruses, bacteria, mold, and allergens in high-occupancy areas.
  • Charter schools can utilize Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act) funds to take full advantage of Building Hopes Discount Purchasing Program.
  • Building Hope also offers alternative financing options and funding advances for those schools and clients where CARES funds are not immediately available.
  • For more information about how Building Hope helps charter schools nationwide provide unparalleled facilities, financial, and operational services, visit www.buildinghope.org .

Draper Delivers a First by Infecting Lung-on-Chip with Wildtype SARS-CoV-2 Virus

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Coronaviridae, Medical specialties, Zoonoses, Medicine, Sarbecovirus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, COVID-19, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Virus, Viral disease, Coronavirus

"In SARS-CoV-2 research, organ-on-chip is emerging as a powerful method for scientists to assess the potential effects of drugs in humans.

Key Points: 
  • "In SARS-CoV-2 research, organ-on-chip is emerging as a powerful method for scientists to assess the potential effects of drugs in humans.
  • "The door is now open for using naturally circulating viruses to develop and screen therapies for COVID-19 using the best method availableorgan-on-a-chip."
  • In the study, the researchers investigated viral infection kinetics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the PREDICT96-ALI platform in a BSL-3 laboratory environment.
  • Results with naturally occurring, or wildtype, virus are more relevant to the infection and replication process that causes disease in humans.

Qu Biologics Receives Additional Funding to Accelerate Clinical Development of Qu’s First-in-Class Immunotherapeutic for COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Medical specialties, Medicine, Virology, Clinical medicine, Immunology, Vaccination, Sarbecovirus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Zoonoses, Immunity, Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Infection

QBKPN restores and enhances innate immune function, the bodys first line of defense against all viral infections.

Key Points: 
  • QBKPN restores and enhances innate immune function, the bodys first line of defense against all viral infections.
  • By restoring innate immunity, QBKPN is designed to contain and clear viral infection before it has an opportunity to spread.
  • As such, there is a risk that vaccine efficacy could be lost as new SARS-CoV-2 variants arise.
  • For more information about Qu Biologics and the science behind SSIs, please visit www.qubiologics.com .