Biological threat
NIAID Ebola study shows promise in ZMapp treatment
According to a recent clinical trial conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), ZMapp was found to be a safe and effective treatment for Ebola virus disease, but more study remains. The trial, known as Partnership for Research on Ebola Virus in Liberia... Read More »Senators urge Obama administration to clarify position on Haiti in wake of cholera epidemic
A bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators recently urged the Obama administration in a letter to clarify their position on the growing cholera epidemic in Haiti. The group includes U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Edward Markey (D-MA) and Robert Melendez (D-NJ). “The... Read More »
Vaccine researchers share steps needed to develop safe and effective Zika virus vaccine
A group of international vaccine experts recently shared a series of requirements for the development of a safe and effective Zika virus vaccine. The research group features experts from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and... Read More »
Soligenix invited to NORD conference to present preliminary Dusquetide, RiVax results
Soligenix, Inc. was invited to the National Organization for Rare Disorders’ (NORD) Rare Diseases and Orphan Products Breakthrough Summit on Tuesday to present preliminary data on the Dusquetide and RiVax programs. NORD’s Rare Diseases and Orphan Products Breakthrough Summit brings together... Read More »
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., releases update on BioThrax procurement contract with CDC
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., released an update on Friday of the status of its 2011 procurement contract for BioThrax with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). BioThrax is the only anthrax vaccine licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine is... Read More »
DNA vaccine shows promise against combating Zika virus
A team of researchers from the National Institutes of Health and other research institutions recently developed a DNA vaccine to combat the spread of Zika virus. Research teams with the Kansas State University (KSU) Biosecurity Research Institute, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro,... Read More »
HHS, Emergent BioSolutions enter into contract for anthrax vaccine development
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) recently moved forward with the development of the anthrax vaccine NuThrax. ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Emergent... Read More »
Upstate Medical University researchers use collaborative approach to study the spread of mosquito-borne viruses
An Upstate Medical University research team recently began utilizing a social-ecological systems (SES) approach to study mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika, chikungunya and dengue fever. The SES approach builds upon new information as it becomes available to the multi-disciplinary research team... Read More »
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., signs multi-year contract for next-gen anthrax vaccine candidate
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., announced on Friday that it has signed a multi-year contract for the advanced development and delivery of NuThrax (vaccine adsorbed with CPG 7909 adjuvant), the company’s next-generation anthrax vaccine candidate. The contract, signed with the Biomedical Advanced... Read More »
House Oversight Subcommittee holds hearing on inactivation of dangerous pathogens
The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on Tuesday regarding the inactivation of dangerous pathogens and the bioresearch labs that study them. According to a recent report by the U.S Government Accountability Office (GAO), changes... Read More »House passes six homeland security-related bills
The U.S. House of Representatives passed six bipartisan bills on Tuesday to enhance national security efforts within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “I commend the work of my committee on the passage of these important pieces of legislation which seek to provide necessary... Read More »KSU study finds no Zika transmission amongst Culex mosquitoes
A team of researchers from the Kansas State University (KSU) Biosecurity Research Institute recently conducted a study with Culex species mosquitoes from across the country to find ways to stop the spread of Zika virus. Findings from the study were published in the journal Vector-Borne and... Read More »
GAO report: High-containment labs need improved pathogen oversight
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on Wednesday on high-containment laboratories and how improved oversight of dangerous pathogens is needed to mitigate any potential risks. The GAO report said the total number of incidents involving incomplete inactivation, a... Read More »
Elusys Therapeutics publishes clinical trial data supporting approval for anthrax treatment
Elusys Therapeutics, Inc., published data on Thursday on more than 450 healthy adult subjects from five clinical trials used to support recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marketing approval of ANTHIM injection. ANTHIM is used in adult and pediatric patients for the treatment of... Read More »