Two simultaneous but independent studies published in Science identified, by introducing mutants into its genome, the essential and nonessential genes of Plasmodium knowlesi, one of the malaria parasites related to the dreaded Plasmodium vivax. Their results could help in the development and prioritization of antimalarial strategies.

Bioversys AG has announced that its BV500 NTM program has reached its second milestone with the identification of up to five optimized lead compounds, under the CF AMR Syndicate collaborative discovery program agreement.

Leishmaniasis is a life-threatening parasitic infection and one of the most concerning neglected vector-borne tropical diseases worldwide. Current leishmaniasis chemotherapeuticals are poorly effective and cause significant adverse effects. Metal-containing drugs have been little explored as antibacterial and antiparasitic agents, although some have shown promise against Leishmania.

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. has gained clinical trial clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for SYS-6017, an mRNA vaccine to prevent herpes zoster infections.

The development of an effective HIV vaccine remains an urgent public health need due to the high genetic variability and rapid mutation rates of the virus, which limit the generation of broadly neutralizing antibodies.

When the U.S. CDC and FDA recently removed several webpages and datasets from their websites in compliance with a directive from the Office of Personnel Management, they broke the law and harmed public health and research, according to a lawsuit filed Feb. 4 by Doctors for America.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. moved a step closer Feb. 4 to becoming the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Senate Finance Committee voted 14-13 along party lines to send Kennedy’s nomination to the Senate floor for confirmation. While “no” votes were expected from the 13 Democrats serving on the committee, a big question mark had hung over which way Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., would vote, given the comments he made at two committee hearings on the nomination. In the end, Cassidy voted along with his 13 Republican colleagues, offering no comment on his vote at the meeting.

Vaxxas Pty. Ltd. and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations are progressing heat-stable, dried-formulation mRNA vaccines using Vaxxas’ needle-free high-density microarray patch.