Infection

Kennedy sidestepping court order sidelining ACIP?

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Don’t like a court order? Sidestep it. That seems to be the idea behind U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy’s latest changes to his renewal of the charter for the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Dectisomes show potent activity against high-priority fungal pathogens

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In previous work, researchers from the University of Georgia developed liposomes loaded with antifungal drugs and coated with the carbohydrate recognition domains of mouse dectin-1 and/or dectin-2, called Dectisomes. The murine Dectisomes efficiently bound and killed pathogenic fungi in vitro and in mouse disease models. In a new study, the team aimed to explore how to potentially move Dectisomes into the clinic with human dectin orthologues.

Wuhan Xirui Pharmaceutical Technology discloses new amphotericin B amide derivatives

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Wuhan Xirui Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. has synthesized new amphotericin B amide derivatives that are potentially useful for the treatment of fungal infection.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccine provides broad-spectrum protection

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Researchers from the University of Naples Federico II (Italy) and collaborating institutions reportedd the design of a next-generation mRNA vaccine that leverages a phylogenetically informed consensus receptor binding domain heterotrimers representing the major variant lineages.

Longhorn reports long-acting peptidoglycan-targeted mAb for sepsis

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

At the World Vaccine Congress this week, Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics LLC presented the preclinical characterization of LHNVD-501, a half-life-extended, humanized IgG monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting peptidoglycan (PGN). PGN is a conserved structural component shared across bacterial species and an upstream driver of sepsis, as well as metabolic disease, autoimmune disorders and neurodegeneration.

EMA to withdraw approval for Siga’s tecovirimat in treating mpox

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

As expected, the EMA is recommending withdrawal of the mpox indication for Siga Technologies Inc.’s tecovirimat, whilst maintaining its approval as a treatment for smallpox, cowpox and adverse reactions to vaccinia vaccines.

Helmholtz Zentrum München patents compounds for viral infections and cancer

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Helmholtz Zentrum München Universität Hannover has disclosed new heterocyclic compounds designed for use in the treatment of cancer and viral infection.

VY-AD-4116 and VY-AD-4226, dual-targeted synthetic antimicrobials

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay have reported the preclinical development of a new synthetic antimicrobial class incorporating organic metallophores, which yielded two optimized leads – VY-AD-4-11-6 and VY-AD-4-22-6 – from a 30-compound SAR series.

MMV-1581361 combines strong antimalarial efficacy with transmission blockade

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Researchers from GSK plc and collaborators described the identification of MMV-1581361, a PfATP4 inhibitor, and its efficacy in models of malaria. The compound originates from MMV-020136, following structure-activity relationship studies to optimize antimalarial activity.

Approach to enhance CAR T efficacy in infectious diseases and cancer

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

CAR T-cell therapy can be applied to treat some chronic infectious diseases, particularly to provide a functional cure for HIV-1 in people living with HIV. However, the effectiveness of CAR T cells for persistent suppression of HIV still faces many constraints, including the high mutation rate of reverse transcriptase, which enables the emergence of immune escape viral variants.

Single-dose mRNA vaccine elicits superior anti-VZV immunity in mice

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Researchers from Chengdu Kanghua Biological Products Co. Ltd. recently published information on their novel varicella zoster virus (VZV) mRNA vaccine candidate (KH014). KH014 contains sequence-optimized mRNAs encoding full-length glycoprotein E encapsulated in ionizable lipid nanoparticles.

Drama encases ACIP, CDC amid lawsuit, deadline

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Chaos continues at the U.S. CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with the resignation of ACIP member Robert Malone and the impending deadline for the president to nominate a new CDC director following the dramatic exit last year of Susan Monarez and months of acting directors.

Repurposed CB1 receptor antagonist is a potent N. gonorrhoeae inhibitor

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

A team at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University applied a drug repurposing strategy and screened a library of 2,528 small molecules targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and related signaling pathways for the ability to inhibit the growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Pfizer, Valneva post mixed results for Lyme disease vaccine

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Overall, results from the phase III Valor trial testing Lyme disease vaccine PF-07307405 “strengthen confidence” in the candidate, according to partners Pfizer Inc. and Valneva SE, with the big pharma now looking toward regulatory submissions. Investors, however, focused on the fact that the study, which demonstrated more than 70% efficacy in preventing Lyme disease in individuals, ages 5 and older, failed to hit the statistical criterion for the first prespecified analysis.

Grant supports Tessera’s genetic approaches to HIV cure

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Tessera Therapeutics Inc. has received a grant from the Gates Foundation to support early-stage research exploring multiple genetic approaches aimed at developing a scalable cure for HIV. This research will evaluate several potential strategies leveraging Tessera’s Gene Writing platform to engineer immune cells in vivo.

After judge’s injunction, will ACIP disband?

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

A member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), physician and biochemist Robert Malone, who a judge earlier this week suggested lacked vaccine-related experience, wrote March 19 on X that the committee “has been disbanded.” Nearly six hours later, he followed up, saying it was a “miscommunication.”

Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical synthesizes CYP51 inhibitors

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has discovered new lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of Candidal infection and aspergillosis.

PK/PD analysis of KSP-1007 plus meropenem supports combination treatment

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

KSP-1007 is a new bicyclic boronate-based broad-spectrum β-lactamase inhibitor that, in combination with meropenem, is under development for the treatment of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria that produce serine- and metallo-type carbapenemases.

Judge’s order shuts down new vaccine schedule, ACIP itself

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

In one fell swoop March 16, a U.S. federal judge stayed the CDC’s January memo revising the childhood vaccine schedule and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as reconstituted by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, along with everything that committee has done since early June.

Aptar and Covirix Medical collaborate on inhaled antivirals

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Aptar Pharma, part of Aptargroup Inc., has established a technical collaboration with Covirix Medical Pty Ltd. under a letter of intent to develop inhaled antiviral treatments.

Latest benchmark shows 35% decline in antibiotics pipeline in past 5 years

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Twelve years on from the World Health Organization formally raising the alarm, antimicrobial resistance continues to grow, and despite numerous public and private incentives and initiatives, the pipeline of antibiotics in development is thinner than ever.

Shionogi patents new agents for HIV-1 infection

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Shionogi & Co. Ltd. has disclosed heterocyclic derivatives characterized as reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H (HIV-1) inhibitors for potential use in the treatment of HIV infection.

Atea Pharma presents data on compounds for hepatitis E

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Atea Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently presented preclinical data on two of its compounds, AT-2490 and AT-587, which have shown promising antiviral potential for treating hepatitis E virus infection.

Replication-incompetent HAdV-55 vaccine provides in vivo protection against pathogenic adenoviruses

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Aiming to develop a vaccine candidate against human adenovirus-55 (HAdV-55) infections, researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (China) and collaborators have generated a replication-incompetent rAd55-5E4.

KLF16 as potential target for HIV management

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500

HIV-1 persistence in latent reservoirs of T lymphoid and myeloid origin is a major barrier for the cure of the disease, with complex and multifactorial mechanisms behind HIV-1 latency; thus, investigating these mechanisms is key for future targeted HIV therapies.

Preclinical data support continued testing of Gilead’s HIV candidate GS-3242

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Gilead Sciences Inc.’s integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) GS-3242 is in early clinical development for HIV infection (NCT07001319). The company presented nonclinical data on the candidate at the recent CROI meeting in Denver.

CARB-X supports antibiotic development at Harvard

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500

CARB-X is awarding $1.2 million to the Andrew G. Myers research group at Harvard University to develop enhanced antibiotics that target multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial pathogens, including Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, to treat urinary tract infections, pneumonia and bloodstream infections.

Moderna to pay up to $2.25B to settle COVID-19 patents case

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500

In what it says could be the largest disclosed patent settlement in the pharmaceutical industry, Roivant Sciences Ltd. has reached a potential $2.25 billion settlement with Moderna Inc. over the use of its lipid nanoparticle delivery technology in the Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine.

Anticancer drug exerts potent HIV antiviral effects

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500

A new isoform of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) – cancer-associated PCNA (caPCNA) – that is specifically expressed in cancer tissues has been reported. Because cancer cells and HIV-infected cells have similar features, researchers from City of Hope National Medical Center tested the anit-HIV effects of a small-molecule compound, AOH-1996, that targets caPCNA.

Asahi Kasei’s $920M Aicuris buy boosts its antiviral armory

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0500

In an all-cash transaction valued at €780 million (US$920 million), Asahi Kasei Corp. offered to buy Aicuris Anti-infective Cures AG, expanding its infectious disease portfolio with a marketed cytomegalovirus product and a herpes treatment nearing an NDA.