R&D

An estimated 1.2 million people died in 2019 from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections

More than 1.2 million people - and potentially millions more - died in 2019 as a direct result of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, according to the most comprehensive estimate to date of the global impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The analysis of 204 countries and territories, published in The Lancet, reveals that AMR is now a leading cause of death worldwide, higher than HIV/AIDS or malaria.

WHO recommends two new drugs to treat patients with COVID-19

The drug baricitinib (a type of drug known as a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis) is strongly recommended for patients with severe or critical COVID-19 in combination with corticosteroids, says a WHO Guideline Development Group of international experts in The BMJ.

COVID-19 - Omicron: resistant to most monoclonal antibodies but neutralized by a booster dose

The Omicron variant was detected for the first time in South Africa in November 2021 and has since spread to many countries. It is expected to become the dominant variant within a few weeks or months. Initial epidemiological studies show that the Omicron variant is more transmissible than the currently dominant virus (the Delta variant). It is capable of spreading to individuals who have received two vaccine doses and to previously infected individuals.

COVID-19 can trigger self-attacking antibodies

Infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 can trigger an immune response that lasts well beyond the initial infection and recovery - even among people who had mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, according to Cedars-Sinai investigators. The findings are published in the Journal of Translational Medicine.

Treatments in weeks, not months: Scientists develop ambitious pandemic response plan

An international team of scientists has created a plan for an accelerated pipeline for developing drug cocktails to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. The pipeline could speed new and better treatments that the newly diagnosed and recently exposed could take at home to prevent serious illness.

Scientists identify antibodies that can neutralize omicron

An international team of scientists have identified antibodies that neutralize omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. These antibodies target areas of the virus spike protein that remain essentially unchanged as the viruses mutate.

By identifying the targets of these "broadly neutralizing" antibodies on the spike protein, it might be possible to design vaccines and antibody treatments that will be effective against not only the omicron variant but other variants that may emerge in the future,

New study adds more evidence for Omicron immune evasion

A new study from Columbia researchers, in collaboration with scientists at the University of Hong Kong, adds more evidence that the omicron variant can evade the immune protection conferred by vaccines and natural infection and suggests the need for new vaccines and treatments that anticipate how the virus may soon evolve.

Research & Development

An estimated 1.2 million people died in 2019 from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections

WHO recommends two new drugs to treat patients with COVID-19

COVID-19 - Omicron: resistant to most monoclonal antibodies but neutralized by a booster dose

COVID-19 can trigger self-attacking antibodies

Treatments in weeks, not months: Scientists develop ambitious pandemic response plan

Scientists identify antibodies that can neutralize omicron

New study adds more evidence for Omicron immune evasion

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