CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) has announced an award of $1.06 million to the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) to develop a new class of small-molecule inhibitors of bacterial sliding clamp (DnaN), a pivotal component of DNA replication machinery, which is a clinically unproven but promising novel mechanism for targeting bacteria.
In a recent study led by Soman Abraham from Duke University, investigators observed that an increase in nociceptive sensory nerves in urinary tract biopsies from patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) was linked to elevated nerve growth factor (NGF) from monocytes and mast cells. This overgrowth of nerve cells appeared to cause lingering symptoms after rUTIs. These findings, appearing in the March 1, 2024, online edition of Science Immunology, have the potential to provide a new approach to managing symptoms of rUTIs that would reduce unnecessary antibiotic usage.
On March 4, 2024, several groups of scientists discussed the challenges of investigating the effects of HIV in the central nervous system (CNS) at the oral abstract session on neuropathogenesis of HIV held during the 31st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), in Denver. A cure for HIV will require eliminating the virus in all its reservoirs, those tissues where HIV remains latent but retains the capacity for reactivation and replication. However, despite antiretroviral therapy (ART), the virus could continue to replicate continuously at a low level in some reservoirs, including the CNS.
Cukurova University and the University of Alicante have synthesized new 2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)thiazole compounds reported to be useful for the treatment of bacterial infections and tuberculosis.
University of Colorado has divulged efflux pump (bacterial) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of bacterial infections, particularly, gram-negative bacterial infections.
Macquarie University has identified 3C-like proteinase (3CLpro; Mpro; nsp5) (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 virus) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19).
Imunon Inc. has released promising results from a live virus challenge study conducted by the Wistar Institute with IMNN-101 against the SARS-CoV-2 variant XBB.1.5. This study was conducted using the clinical vector that Imunon intends to bring into its phase I study during the second quarter, and showed IMNN-101 immunogenicity and protective activity in a live viral mouse challenge.
Avitar Biosciences Inc. has divulged 3C-like proteinase (3CLpro; Mpro; nsp5) (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 virus) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19).
Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) is awarding Glyprovac LLC US$467,000 to develop a maternal vaccine that targets Escherichia coli, a bacterial species responsible for a large portion of neonatal sepsis infections.
Dyadic International Inc.'s Dutch subsidiary, Dyadic Nederland BV, has entered into a strategic partnership agreement and collaboration with Rabian BV to develop efficacious, scalable, and affordable rabies prophylactics and vaccines utilizing Dyadic's C1 protein production platform.