R&D

Tiny antibody component highly effective against SARS-COV-2 in animal studies

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine scientists have isolated the smallest biological molecule to date that completely and specifically neutralizes the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the cause of COVID-19. This antibody component, which is 10 times smaller than a full-sized antibody, has been used to construct a drug - known as Ab8 - for potential use as a therapeutic and prophylactic against SARS-CoV-2.

Which immune response could cause a vaccine against COVID-19?

Immune reactions caused by vaccination can help protect the organism, or sometimes may aggravate the condition. It is especially important now when multiple vaccines against COVID-19 are being developed. The top immunologists analyse types of immune response to predict what kind of vaccine would be the best.

COVID-19 study links strict social distancing to much lower chance of infection

Using public transportation, visiting a place of worship, or otherwise traveling from the home is associated with a significantly higher likelihood of testing positive with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, while practicing strict social distancing is associated with a markedly lower likelihood, suggests a study from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Preliminary results from Russian trials find that vaccine candidates led to no serious adverse events and elicit antibody response

Results from two early-phase Russian non-randomised vaccine trials (Sputnik V) in a total of 76 people are published today in The Lancet, finding that two formulations of a two-part vaccine have a good safety profile with no serious adverse events detected over 42 days, and induce antibody responses in all participants within 21 days.

Steroid found to improve survival of critically ill COVID-19 patients

A new international study published today has shown that treating critically ill patients with COVID-19 with the steroid hydrocortisone improves their chances of recovery.

The study, led in the UK by Professor Anthony Gordon from Imperial College London with collaborators from the Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre, found that patients receiving intensive care who were treated with a regular fixed dose of the steroid hydrocortisone for seven days had a better chance of recovery, compared with the patients who were not treated with the steroid.

Search for COVID-19 drugs boosted by SARS discovery

An extensive search and testing of current drugs and drug-like compounds has revealed compounds previously developed to fight SARS might also work against COVID-19.

Using the National Drug Discovery Centre, researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute identified drug-like compounds that could block a key coronavirus protein called PLpro. This protein, found in all coronaviruses, is essential for the virus to hijack and multiply within human cells, and disable their anti-viral defences.

73,000 Scientists collaborate over new COVID-19 Data Portal to speed up vaccine development

More than 73,000 users collaborate on new online platform set up by the European Open Science Cloud Initiative, where scientists share COVID-19 data and accelerate our understanding of the virus to help develop treatments and vaccines quicker.

A new website that allows scientists to share difficult-to-find SARS-CoV-2 data from clinical trials, research centres, hospitals and national healthcare systems, has seen thousands of users collaborating to help beat the novel coronavirus.

Research & Development

Tiny antibody component highly effective against SARS-COV-2 in animal studies

Which immune response could cause a vaccine against COVID-19?

COVID-19 study links strict social distancing to much lower chance of infection

Preliminary results from Russian trials find that vaccine candidates led to no serious adverse events and elicit antibody response

Steroid found to improve survival of critically ill COVID-19 patients

Search for COVID-19 drugs boosted by SARS discovery

73,000 Scientists collaborate over new COVID-19 Data Portal to speed up vaccine development

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