Welcome to the Working Group on New TB Drugs Blog
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: 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: TB Drug Updates in Future Medicinal Chemistry
Last week we posted information about two special issues of Future Medicinal Chemistry focused on neglected diseases. Future Medicinal Chemistry (September 2011, Volume 3, Number 11) have a few articles on tuberculosis drug development. Additional links to TB R&D news are included.
Announcement: Promising TB vaccine candidate progresses to Phase I clinical trials
The MTBVAC01 vaccine candidate, developed to protect people against tuberculosis, will start Phase I clinical trials early in 2012. This was announced by the Spanish biopharmaceutical company Biofabri. The candidate was developed by the University of Zaragoza, Spain and is part of the international portfolio of TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI). Tuberculosis causes almost two million deaths per year.
Announcement: Dr. Peter Andersen Awarded Prestigious Scientific Prize
Dr. Peter Andersen, the Vice President of Vaccine Research and Development at Statens Serum Institut (SSI) and TBVI partner, has been awarded the prestigious Novo Nordisk prize for his work in TB vaccine development. The WGND interviewed Dr. Andersen for our TB R&D Weekly Update on March 8. Congratulations to Dr. Andersen! For full story, [...]
Posted in Front Lines of TB R&D, TB R&D Spotlight Interviews, TB Treatment, WGND Podcast Series
TB R&D Weekly Update: Podcast Interview with Peter Andersen
In this week”s TB R&D update, The WGND had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Andersen on a recent article entitled “A multistage tuberculosis vaccine that confers efficient protection before and after exposure” that we covered in a previous TB R&D Weekly Update. In the interview, Dr. Andersen provides an overview of his present research and the article, possible integration of a vaccine that protects pre- and post- exposure into TB treatment, and the challenges for TB vaccine development. Also, links to additional news in TB R&D are included.
The 2nd Global Forum on TB Vaccines concludes, looks to the future
Christine Sizemore of the U.S. National Institutes of Health called on the TB vaccine research field to challenge dogma and to think outside the box as scientists and researchers move into the next generation of TB vaccine development. Her sentiments echoed a common theme on the final day of the 2nd Global Forum on TB Vaccines in Tallinn, Estonia as more than 200 participants from 31 countries brought the meeting to a conclusion.
TBVI Releases 2009 Annual Report
TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI), a foundation that aims to develop new vaccines for tuberculosis, today released its annual report 2009. In 2009 TBVI made significant progress in its overall objective to develop new vaccines for tuberculosis. Preceded by many years of research and development, last year four vaccine candidates moved from discovery phase to early clinical development. Furthermore, TBVI expanded its network with several new research partners and completed the formation of its Board of Trustees.
Aeras Appoints New President and CEO
The Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation today announced that James E. Connolly has been named President and Chief Executive Officer. He joins Aeras after a career in the pharmaceutical industry, most recently as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Wyeth Vaccines. He will take over as Aeras President and CEO on August 9, 2010.
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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
