Welcome to the Working Group on New TB Drugs Blog
Recap from the 43rd Union World Conference in Kuala Lumpur
The week of November 12th was exciting with the 43rd Union World Conference, the WGND Annual Meeting (will be posting presentations soon), and the Stop TB Coordinating Board Meeting. Included are some news highlights and a listing of webcasts of interesting and presentations relevant for TB drug development and research.
World TB Day Coverage: New Combo TB Drug Trial Announced
During the “Cure All: A briefing on the status of the most promising new TB drugs research” sponsored by the Critical Path to New TB Drug Regimens (CPTR) on Monday, March 19, Dr. Mel Spigelman, CEO & President, of TB Alliance announced the launch of the NC002 trial, a combination drug trial that establishes a new pathway to TB and multi-drug resistant TB treatment. The meeting also involved high-level officials from U.S. agencies that support TB research including Anthony Fauci (Director, NIAID/NIH), Janet Woodcock (Director, CDER/FDA), and Robert Clay (Deputy Assistant Administrator, Global Health Bureau/USAID).
TB R&D Weekly Update: TDR Tuberculosis Strain Bank
This week we highlight an article looking at the TDR Tuberculosis Strain Bank and its utility. Additional links to TB R&D news are included.
International TB Research Roadmap Launched!
A plan targeting researchers around the world and providing them with a framework to achieve the research objectives of the the Global Plan to Stop TB 2011-2015 and beyond, towards elimination of TB, was launched on Saturday at the Union World Conference on Lung Health.
TB R&D Weekly Update: Zinc Used by Host to Fight TB
This week, we provide an brief overview of research supported by CNRS, INSERM, Institut Pasteur and other donors providing new evidence of the role of Zinc in the body’s immune response to intracellular infection by M.tb. and the microbe’s strategy to subvert this defense. Additional links to TB R&D news are included.
TB R&D Weekly Update: T-Cell Surface Markers as Potential Biomarkers for TB Treatment
In this week’s article, potential cellular biomarkers are explored in the mouse model with three potential markers: PD-1 and TIM-3 on CD8 T cells and KIRG-1 on both CD4 and CD8 T cells. The search for validated biomarkers that can predict treatment success has been a difficult one. The focus of much of the research on biomarkers has been on serum markers, because of practical reasons and considerations of use in resource-limited settings. Henao-Tamayo, et al., took a different focus looking at markers on the surface of lung T cells. Additional links to TB R&D News are included.
Posted in Front Lines of TB R&D, Funding Opportunities, TB Drug Development, TB News
New Gates Foundation Grant Opportunity–Tuberculosis Biomarkers
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now accepting letters of inquiry for the new grant program Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis. Letters of inquiry are being accepted online until March 31, 2011 10:00 am PT.
This Week in TB R&D – 29 June 2010
By far, one of the greatest needs in TB R&D is the identification of biomarkers. The value of biomarkers cannot be overemphasized. Briefly, we will highlight what biomarkers are, how they are used, and describe their importance and potential for significant impact for TB drug discovery.
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Toppix TB News- TB, a neglected disease in Uganda 15 May 2013
- Dr. John: Medications, T.B, tinnitus 8 May 2013
- U.S. non-profit group to build tuberculosis center in Pyongyang 4 May 2013
- Predictors of tuberculosis (TB) and antiretroviral (ARV) medication... 26 Apr 2013
- Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB): an interview with Dr.... 26 Apr 2013
