Arcturus Launches H5N1 Vaccine Trial as Cases Rise in US
Human cases in the US. Image credits: CDC Arcturus Therapeutics has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of ARCT-2304, also known as LUNAR-H5N1, a self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) vaccine designed to prevent pandemic influenza caused by the H5N1 virus. The trial, which began in December 2024 with the first participant, is being conducted across multiple US […]
Monoclonal Antibody Demonstrates Activity Against Dominant COVID-19 Variant
Invivyd’s Chief Scientific Officer Robert Allen, PhDImage credit: Invivyd Waltham, Mass.-based biopharmaceutical company, Inviyd, announced today that new data showed continued neutralizing activity of pemivibart (Pemgarda) and pipeline candidate VYD2311 against the dominant COVID-19 variant, XEC. The company said it has demonstrated positive pemivibart neutralization activity against over 75% of currently circulating US variants, and all […]
Fighting C difficile Before It Starts: Lopoxy Therapeutics Approach
LPOXY Therapeutics, Inc has acquired assets from Xeno Biosciences Inc. to advance its therapy SIDIPREV for preventing Clostridioides difficile (C difficile) infections in hospitalized patients. The acquisition includes regulatory filings, FDA correspondence, CMC data, intellectual property, and data from Phase I and Ib clinical trials showing the safety of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. This deal […]
I’m Sorry, but It’s Time We Talk About Politics
Image credit: Markus Spiske, Pexels It’s trite to say elections have consequences, but those consequences rarely have substantial effects on infectious disease (ID) practice. However, 2025 may bring significant change, with apparent intent to disrupt key components of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—components critical to disease surveillance, drug development, research, and […]
The Latest Myth That Won’t Disappear
It has been nearly 5 years since COVID- 19 first emerged. Although we have witnessed a deluge of erroneous claims about the virus, the vaccines, and the treatments, not all have stuck around. Psychology experts have identified certain cognitive factors that make some misinformation and disinformation “sticky”—in other words, persistent and pervasive. Misinformation is particularly […]
Herpes Virus Contribution to Alzheimer’s
Or Shemesh, PhD Image credits: LinkedIn Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has traditionally been diagnosed based on the presence of β-amyloid plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) in the brain. Recent research suggests that infections, particularly herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), may play a role in AD development. A new study led by Or Shemesh, PhD, assistant professor […]
FDA Requires Guillain-Barré Syndrome Warning on 2 RSV Vaccines
The FDA announced it has required safety labeling changes to the prescribing information for both the RSV vaccines to include a warning for the rare neurological disorder, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).1 The agency said it conducted a postmarketing observational study that assessed the risk of GBS following vaccination with Abrysvo and Arexvy. Based on FDA’s evaluation […]
Bacteria Use Natural Products to Expose Competitors to Viruses, Opening New Pathways for Antimicrobial Strategies
Joseph (JP) Gerdt, PhD Image credits: Indiana University A recent study In Nature reveals that bacteria can use natural products to make nearby competitors more susceptible to viral infection, adding a new layer to our understanding of microbial competition. Microbes compete for resources by secreting secondary metabolites that can kill rival bacteria and secure nutrients. […]
ACIP Expands Pneumococcal Vaccine Guidelines for Adults Aged 50 and Older
Serotypes included in pneumococcal vaccines currently recommended for adults — United States, 2024 Image credits: CDC A recent update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), published in the most recent MMWR and Morbidity Report, expands pneumococcal vaccine recommendations. This update finalized the guidelines made from October 2024, providing clearer guidance on vaccine preferences, favoring […]
Antimicrobial, Wound-Healing Agents Discovered Among Disparate Drug Classes
Image credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya, Pexels Topical application of selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and of beta-adrenergic antagonists (ß-AR antagonists,”beta-blockers”) has demonstrated potential to mitigate wound infections by helping to overcome barriers of bacterial biofilms and antimicrobial resistance, according to a recent review of non-antibiotic approaches for hastening healing of chronic wounds.1 Rivkah Isseroff, MD, Department […]
