Bat virome

Global Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial for COVID-19 Vaccine Starts at NYU Langone Health

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Health, Articles, Medical specialties, Bat virome, Sarbecovirus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Coronavirus disease, Pandemic, Vaccine, Science diplomacy and pandemics, Draft:Treatments & Vaccines for COVID-19

It is designed to measure whether the vaccine candidate can protect against COVID-19 infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Key Points: 
  • It is designed to measure whether the vaccine candidate can protect against COVID-19 infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
  • "It is tremendously encouraging to see the early phase of this trial succeed, and to have a lead candidate emerge for global testing," says Mark J. Mulligan, MD, director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology and the Vaccine Center at NYU Langone Health.
  • NYU Langone Health was chosen as a trial center in part because of Dr. Mulligan's expertise in infectious disease research programs that have over decades assessed investigational vaccines for HIV, Zika, Ebola, and pandemic influenza.
  • The current, ongoing clinical trial began with a phase 1/2A study on May 4, 2020.

Finding Answers to COVID-19 in a High Containment "BSL-3" Virus Lab

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 27, 2020
Health, Sarbecovirus, Medical specialties, Medicine, Zoonoses, Bat virome, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Virus

However, the virus's high degree of infectivity puts scientists at high risk when they work with the active virus.

Key Points: 
  • However, the virus's high degree of infectivity puts scientists at high risk when they work with the active virus.
  • Respiratory viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, require a special type of BSL-3 containment lab facility designated for airborne pathogens.
  • "In a BSL-2 lab, there's only so much you can learn from inactive parts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus," says Gladstone BSL-3 Lab Director Mauricio Montano.
  • "You're finding answers here and there, but they don't necessarily give a full picture of how the live virus will react in a given situation."

Bruker Launches Second-Generation FluoroType® SARS-CoV-2 plus PCR Test for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Infections in Europe

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 27, 2020
Research, Pharmaceutical, Medical devices, Technology, Infectious diseases, Genetics, Science, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Medical Supplies, Other Science, Health, Laboratory techniques, Natural sciences, Branches of biology, Physical sciences, Molecular biology, Sarbecovirus, Biotechnology, Bat virome, Nasopharyngeal swab, Polymerase chain reaction, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Bruker-Hain Diagnostics, Bruker Corporation

The FluoroType SARS-CoV-2 plus assay is CE-IVD labelled according to the European IVD Directive (98/79/EC).

Key Points: 
  • The FluoroType SARS-CoV-2 plus assay is CE-IVD labelled according to the European IVD Directive (98/79/EC).
  • Actual clinical results may be lower, as all PCR tests depend on properly timed and executed nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal sampling.
  • The FluoroType SARS-CoV-2 plus assay has been validated for respiratory samples (nasopharyngeal swabs and oropharyngeal swabs in viral transport medium) using commonly available laboratory real-time PCR thermocyclers.
  • The FluoroType SARS-CoV-2 plus assay can also be used with Brukers novel, high-precision FluoroCycler XT real-time PCR system or alternatively with other commonly available real-time thermocyclers.

MediciNova Announces SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Joint Development with BioComo and Mie University Japan

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 27, 2020
Medical specialties, Medicine, Sarbecovirus, Health, Virology, Bat virome, COVID-19 vaccine, Medical research, Vaccines, Vaccine, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome

MediciNova has been granted exclusive worldwide development rights to use BC-PIV for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development from BioComo and Mie University.

Key Points: 
  • MediciNova has been granted exclusive worldwide development rights to use BC-PIV for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development from BioComo and Mie University.
  • BC-PIV, an innovative non-transmissible viral vector co-developed by BioComo and Mie University, is derived from the recombinant human parainfluenza virus type 2 (hPIV2).
  • The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine prototype has been developed to include the specific SARS-CoV-2 antigen protein in order to express maximum antigenicity.
  • To date, BioComo has succeeded in producing a recombinant Ebola virus vaccine ( https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-49579-y ) and a Respiratory Syncytial virus prefusion F vaccine (unpublished data) using this BC-PIV platform technology.

Humanetics Corporation Receives Funding from NIAID to Test Drug in COVID-19 Patients

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Infectious diseases, Pharmaceutical, Health, Clinical trials, Respiratory diseases, Health, Medicine, RTT, Bat virome, Sarbecovirus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Coronavirus disease, SARS outbreak, Pulmonary fibrosis, COVID-19 drug development

Humanetics Corporation (Humanetics) announced today that it has received funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, to conduct a study of its drug, BIO 300, in COVID-19 patients.

Key Points: 
  • Humanetics Corporation (Humanetics) announced today that it has received funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, to conduct a study of its drug, BIO 300, in COVID-19 patients.
  • These patients face the possible risk that their respiratory complications will continue to progress, leading to long-term impairment of lung function.
  • The SARS epidemic affected a much smaller number of people worldwide; however, two studies of SARS patients showed that 30-45% of patients developed pulmonary fibrosis within 12 months.
  • BIO 300 is an oral drug that patients will self-administer daily for 12 weeks following discharge from the hospital.

WPD Pharmaceuticals Licensor Announces New Independent In Vitro Testing Confirms Antiviral Activity of WP1122 in Coronavirus

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Sarbecovirus, Natural sciences, Health, Zoonoses, Drug discovery, Pharmaceutical industry, Bat virome, Toxicology, Preclinical development, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Assay, Severe acute respiratory syndrome

The testing involved a cell viability assay in the VERO E6 cell line infected with SARS-CoV-2 and compared the therapeutic effects of 2-DG (the active ingredient in WP1122) alone with those of WP1122, a 2-DG prodrug.

Key Points: 
  • The testing involved a cell viability assay in the VERO E6 cell line infected with SARS-CoV-2 and compared the therapeutic effects of 2-DG (the active ingredient in WP1122) alone with those of WP1122, a 2-DG prodrug.
  • In addition, (Moleculin) has also contracted with IITRI to conduct preclinical toxicology testing, which is currently under way.
  • WPD has licensed in certain countries 10 novel drug candidates with 4 that are in clinical development stage.
  • The sublicense territory from CNS Pharmaceuticals and Moleculin Biotech includes for most compounds 30 countries in Europe and Asia, including Russia.

DEADLINE ALERT: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Reminds Investors That a Class Action Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Legal, Professional services, Sarbecovirus, Animal diseases, Bat virome, Infectious diseases, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Sorrento, Medical specialties, Zoonoses

Investors have until July 27, 2020 to apply to the Court to be appointed as lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Key Points: 
  • Investors have until July 27, 2020 to apply to the Court to be appointed as lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.
  • On May 15, 2020, Sorrento announced that it had discovered an antibody that had demonstrated 100% inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.
  • On that same day, Defendant Henry Ji, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sorrento referred to Sorrentos breakthrough as a cure.
  • On this news, Sorrento shares increased $4.14 to close at $6.76 on May 15, 2020.

EDLab Becomes First Environmental Coronavirus Testing Accredited Facility

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Sarbecovirus, Zoonoses, Animal diseases, Respiratory diseases, Bat virome, COVID-19, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Coronavirus, Wuhan flu, Coronavirus disease

CLEARWATER, Fla., July 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) at Pure Air Control Services was awarded accreditation from A2LA on June 10, 2020 for the testing environmental SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus).

Key Points: 
  • CLEARWATER, Fla., July 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) at Pure Air Control Services was awarded accreditation from A2LA on June 10, 2020 for the testing environmental SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus).
  • Environmental testing for SARS-CoV-2 also provides vital information on other underlying indoor environmental conditions.
  • "Environmental testing for SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) is an essential and important component to understand the spread of this pandemic through the environment.
  • EDLab is proud to be accredited environmental coronavirus testing and is ready to help those in need.

Twist Bioscience Launches Synthetic Controls for Respiratory Viruses

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Biotechnology, Infectious diseases, Health, Genetics, Pharmaceutical, Health, Animal diseases, Respiratory diseases, Zoonoses, Sarbecovirus, Bat virome, COVID-19, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Coronavirus disease, Virus, Human coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus

Researchers can pair all of Twists positive controls, including those launched today, with the Twist Respiratory Virus Research Panel for the detection of viruses that may cause respiratory symptoms identical to that of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Key Points: 
  • Researchers can pair all of Twists positive controls, including those launched today, with the Twist Respiratory Virus Research Panel for the detection of viruses that may cause respiratory symptoms identical to that of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
  • In addition, the Twist respiratory controls can be used in qPCR and NGS-based assays serving as important negative controls in SARS-CoV-2 assays or positive controls for respiratory assays.
  • The Twist synthetic controls are designed based on specific viral variants, cover the full viral genomes and are sequence-verified.
  • For customers interested in alternative variants of respiratory viruses, Twist can provide custom controls.

NC Biotech Files Second Accelerated Patent to Combat Coronavirus Epidemic Using Microbiocidal Nanomaterials

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Health, Animal diseases, Zoonoses, Medical specialties, Bat virome, Sarbecovirus, COVID-19, Epidemiology, Coronavirus disease, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, Zoonosis

When treated, reusable materials would remain microbiocidal after repeated laundering with respect to an ever-evolving array of viruses, fungi, and bacteria, such as SARS-CoV-2, the zoonotic novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Key Points: 
  • When treated, reusable materials would remain microbiocidal after repeated laundering with respect to an ever-evolving array of viruses, fungi, and bacteria, such as SARS-CoV-2, the zoonotic novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
  • In contrast, this invention would provide a hydrophilic surface of microbiocidal fullerenes that would bind and inactivate pathogens.
  • This patent is entitled, "Synthetic, multifaceted halogenated, functionalized fullerenes engineered for microbiocidal effects employing controlled contact for safe therapeutic and environmental utility."
  • Kepley BioSystems is a North Carolina-based biotech with a mission to emerge disruptive innovations to achieve global solutions.