The biological processes giving rise to the central nervous system symptoms of long COVID remain a mystery. But multiple studies suggest they do not appear to be a result of a direct viral infection of brain tissue. The latest such research, which appeared online in Nature Neuroscience on Feb. 16, 2024, demonstrated that local immune response in brain tissues persisted long after SARS-CoV-2 virus had disappeared.

A vaccine based on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology against four surface proteins of the envelope and the inner membrane of the mpox virus (MPXV) demonstrated its efficacy in two animal models. Biontech SE scientists designed and tested two different combinations of antigens in mice and macaques for the two infective forms of the virus. One of them showed better results for its evaluation in clinical trials preventing the disease.

Precision Biosciences Inc. has received pre-IND regulatory feedback from the FDA and ex-U.S. agencies providing alignment and clarity on Precision's final IND/CTA-enabling preclinical plans and clinical strategy for PBGENE-HBV.

The current standard treatment for tuberculosis (TB) consists of a combination of four antibiotics administered for 6 to 12 months. There is hence a clear need for new strategies both for shorter treatment periods and that may address the emergence of multi- and extensive drug-resistant TB. Researchers from Scripps Research Institute have reported on the synthesis and preclinical characterization of a series of novel aryl fluorosulfate derivatives designed to be used for the treatment of TB.

Infection with Helicobacter pylori is a risk factor for the development of gastric cancer. H. pylori initiates a chronic inflammatory response that can lead to the production of excessive radical oxygen species (ROS), which in turn can activate oncogenic signaling pathways leading to gastric cancer development. SUMOylation is a post-translational modification mechanism in cells in response to reactions to stress. A team at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University hence set out to study the role of SUMO-activating enzyme subunit 1 (SAE1) in gastric cancer, since it is a SUMO-activating effector protein.

Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X), led by Boston University, is awarding $1.2 million to the Andrew G. Myers Research Group at Harvard University to develop a series of enhanced oral antibiotics that directly target a range of antibiotic-resistant bacteria which cause serious lower respiratory tract and skin and soft tissue infections.

Trawsfynydd Therapeutics Inc. has received approval to initiate a first-in-man phase I trial of the novel best-in-class COVID-19 treatment, TRX-01, an inhibitor targeting the SARS-CoV-2 viral main protease (3CL, Mpro).