COVID-19

PerkinElmer has announced the research use only (RUO) launch of the NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 to accelerate the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants, which will allow laboratories to increase sequencing throughput and make reliable variant identifications.  What is NEXTFLEX?   Using positive SARS-CoV-2 samples, the NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 detects mutations associated with all SARS-CoV-2 […]

According to a new study, scientists have found chewing gum laced with a plant-grown protein serves as a “trap” for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reducing viral load in saliva and potentially tamping down transmission.  The study  The work, led by Henry Daniell at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine and performed in collaboration with scientists at […]

Amid the growing threat of a new and potentially more dangerous SARS-CoV-2 variant, scientists are ramping up the quest for Covid treatments. A recent study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of an unusual class of immune proteins: miniature antibodies called nanobodies, derived from llamas. Rockefeller University scientists Michael P. Rout and Brian T. Chait and their colleagues at the Seattle […]

Moderna has announced a revised supply agreement with the UK government for up to 60 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine, which may include authorised booster vaccine candidates, with up to 29 million doses expected to be delivered in 2022 and up to 31 million doses expected to be delivered in 2023.  The agreement  Under the agreement, the […]

Paediatric patients from birth to 12 years old can now be treated with an antibody drug for Covid-19. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for bamlanivimab and etesevimab to be administered together in high-risk paediatric patients for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid-19 as well as […]

Following the approval of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Vir Biotechnology’s Covid-19 drug Xevudy (sotrovimab), the companies have announced an update, with preclinical data demonstrating that sotrovimab, an investigational monoclonal antibody, retains activity against key mutations of the new Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.1.529), including those found in the binding site of sotrovimab.   The testing  These data were generated through pseudo-virus testing of […]

Infex Therapeutics scientists have announced a breakthrough in laboratory trials of a new drug to treat Covid-19 and new variants of the disease, such as the Omicron variant.   Infex’s COV-X programme inhibits a new protease target that is responsible for viral replication across the broad spectrum of SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. As such, this new approach is unaffected by changes to […]

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), in the UK, has approved GSK and Vir Biotechnology’s Covid-19 drug Xevudy (sotrovimab), after it was found to be safe and effective at reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death in people with mild to moderate Covid-19 infection who are at an increased risk of developing severe disease.  What is sotrovimab?  Sotrovimab is a single monoclonal antibody. […]

PerkinElmer has announced that the performance of its SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assays are not impacted by the emergence of Omicron (B.1.1.529), a variant of concern that was recently identified by the World Health Organization (WHO).  How the assays work  There are more than 30 Omicron mutations reported in the S gene of SARS-CoV-2. PerkinElmer’s assays do […]

Moderna has announced updates to its strategy to address SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, given the emergence of the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant.   What is Omicron?  The recently described Omicron variant includes mutations seen in the Delta variant that are believed to increase transmissibility and mutations seen in the Beta and Delta variants that are believed to […]