In a study published in Antiviral Research, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences and collaborators have presented optimized nanobodies targeting the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Poolbeg Pharma plc has reported promising outputs from its lab-based analysis of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) drug targets and treatments identified as part of the company’s artificial intelligence (AI)-led program.

Researchers have used explainable artificial intelligence (explainable AI) to find structurally new antibiotics with minimal toxicity. They reported their findings online in Nature on Dec. 20, 2023. In animal testing, compounds identified via the method showed that they had activity against drug-resistant gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), one of the most serious bacterial public health threats.

Sirnaomics Ltd.'s subsidiary Rnaimmune Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA to begin trials of RV-1770, an mRNA vaccine targeting the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to prevent RSV infection in adults. Rnaimmune will conduct a phase I study of RV-1770 administered intramuscularly in healthy adults.

Nrx Pharmaceuticals Inc. has announced FDA clearance of its IND application for the use of NRX-101 (lurasidone hydrochloride/D-cycloserine) for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI).

Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has announced preclinical results from an in vivo study evaluating the antibacterial efficacy of its lead synthetic anti-infective candidate, R-327 (RECCE-327), against Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a mouse vaginal infection model.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is committing up to DKK1.8 billion (US$260 million) to establish a research and vaccine development initiative that aims to create new or improved vaccines for respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis (TB) and influenza.

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by several protozoan Leishmania species with diverse clinical manifestations and limited treatment options to date. Researchers at Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative have reported on the discovery and preclinical characterization of DNDI-6174, a novel inhibitor of the Leishmania cytochrome bc1 complex.