Welcome to the Working Group on New TB Drugs Blog
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.
4th Annual G-FINDER Survey Released
Today, the fourth annual G-FINDER survey tracking funding for research and development of neglected disease technologies was released. This year’s report shows that funding for product development is on the decline and product development partnerships (PDPs) have been particularly hard hit, as eight of the top twelve public donors cut their funding in 2010. Now is a time of tremendous opportunity, with dozens of potential products within the reach of patients–donors must commit to taking them across the finish line.
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: Future Medicinal Chemistry Features Neglected Diseases
The August and September issues of Future Medicinal Chemistry will focus on neglected diseases including tuberculosis. The issue includes articles from TB researchers including Ann Ginsberg and Takushi Kaneko. Additional links to TB R&D news are included
TB R&D Weekly Update: Tuberculosis and Cancer
This week we review a commentary on the correlations between tuberculosis and cancer, specifically lung cancer. The article appeared in the June issue of Lancet Oncology. Additional links to TB R&D News are included.
Posted in Early Drug Development, Front Lines of TB R&D, TB Drug Development, TB Treatment
TB R&D Weekly Update: Efflux and Rifampicin Resistance
This week we look again at the role of efflux pumps in resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs. Louw, et al., sought to “demonstrate that the level of rifampicin resistance is defined by efflux, which regulates the intracellular concentration of rifampicin.” This is a shift from the current thinking in the field that rifampicin resistance is solely the result of mutations in the rpoB gene. The article entitled “Rifampicin Reduces Susceptibility to Ofloxacin in Rifampicin Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis through Efflux” was published ahead of print in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Additional links to TB R&D News is included.
Posted in Announcements, Faces of TB, TB Diagnostics, TB News, Voices from the Fight to Stop Tuberculosis
Announcement: World-Renowned Pulmonologist Michael Iseman Joins Oxford Immunotec
Dr. Michael D. Iseman, a world renowned pulmonologist and leading expert on tuberculosis has joined Oxford Immunotec as the Senior Scientific Advisor. In May 2010, the WGND had the honor of interviewing Dr. Iseman in our “Voices from the Fight to Stop TB” series. We congratulate Dr. Iseman on is new position!
CNN News Coverage and FIND Presentation on Rapid TB test, Xpert MTB/RIF
CNN featured TB diagnostic Xpert MTB/RIF in its Inside Africa program and looked at the implementation of Xpert MTB/RIF in Uganda. In addition, the CORE Group hosted an online presentation on Xpert MTB/RIF from Elizabeth Talbot, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and International Health at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and Medical Scientist, FIND: Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics. Results of a survey of their TB Working Group listserv also is included.
New Intensive Course on TB Diagnostics
“Advanced TB Diagnostic Research: An intensive, high-level course on TB diagnostic research methods” will be held July5-8, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This advanced course will cover the principles behind diagnostic research, diagnostic study designs, sources of bias, and value chain for TB diagnostics development.
WHO Endorses New Rapid Diagnostic Test for TB
Yesterday, Mario Raviglione , Director of Stop TB, and Giorgio Roscigno, CEO of FIND, held a global press conference announcing the World Health Organization’s endorsement of the new rapid diagnostic test Xpert MTB/RIF. If implemented to scale in countries where tuberculosis (TB) is endemic, it could revolutionize how TB is diagnosed and treated. The test could have a significant impact on patients that are smear negative, HIV positive, or infected with drug-resistant TB.
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Toppix TB News- Editorial: Lives at risk if the U.S. shortchanges Global Fund 4 Feb 2012
- Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis - Update 3 Feb 2012
- Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis - Update 3 Feb 2012
- WHO says TB in Russia displays highest known drug resistance 3 Feb 2012
- Media outlets examine Global Fund's future as it enters second decade 3 Feb 2012
