Investigators at the University of Bristol and Biognos AB have identified a structural feature that distinguished the deadly coronavirus strains from harmless, common cold-causing variants. The findings, which were published in the Nov. 23, 2022, issue of Science Advances, could form the basis of universal COVID antivirals, putting an end to the endless race to deal with new variants that has so far been a necessity.
The researchers showed that the same pocket, a binding site for linoleic acid (LA), was present in all variants of concern (VOCs) that have emerged since 2020. “Intriguingly, all SARS-CoV-2 VOCs stringently maintain this pocket, notably including Omicron, which accumulated a wide range of mutations in [the spike protein] elsewhere, suggesting that the pocket provides a selective advantage for the virus,” they wrote in their paper.
Animal models recapitulating the immune features of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are very limited. An Osaka University research team has developed a novel murine model of CHB and tested the efficacy and immunomodulating effects of interferon-α (IFN-α) therapy.
Researchers from Gilead Sciences Inc. presented preclinical data for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine candidates GS-2829 and GS-6779. Conservation analysis and functional immunogenicity screening were applied to identify optimized anti-hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
Pfizer Inc. and Biontech SE have initiated a phase I study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of BNT-162b4, a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate that aims to enhance SARS-CoV-2 T-cell responses and potentially broaden protection against COVID-19.
An in-depth investigation of the underlying causes of pulmonary symptoms that in some cases persist for months following recovery from the acute stage of COVID-19 has found a distinctive proinflammatory signature in the plasma and airways of affected patients. The research could provide an explanation for the ongoing interstitial lung disease and fibrosis seen in patients who were hospitalized with severe COVID-19, and also point to neutrophils as a specific therapeutic target.
Novartis AG has described 3C-like proteinase (3CLpro) (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 virus) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19).
Pegylated interferon-α (PegIFNα) is a treatment option for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, but it often has undesirable side effects and not all patients respond to treatment. Tripartite motif-containing protein 26 (TRIM26) has been reported to have an impact on hepatitis C virus replication; researchers aimed to investigate the role of TRIM26 in CHB as well as its potential impact on response to PegIFNα in two cohorts of patients with CHB (N=945) treated for 48 weeks with a follow-up period of 24 weeks.
Researchers from Assembly Biosciences Inc. presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of novel small-molecule hepatitis B (HBV) and D virus (HDV) entry inhibitors.
Tuojie Biotech (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. has disclosed boric acid derivatives acting as β-lactamase (bacterial) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of bacterial infections.
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