This week in drug discovery (17-21 October)

News round-up for 17-21 October by DDW Digital Content Editor Diana Spencer 

Amid continued concern about antibiotic resistance, the headline news this week was the discovery of a new antibiotic that could be effective against some of the most treatment-resistant pathogens.  

However, there was also controversy as researchers faced a backlash from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for their study which created a hybrid version of Covid-19. 

This week’s top stories: 

Boston researchers criticised over creation of Covid-19 variant 

A research team from Boston University has caused controversy for work involving the creation of a hybrid SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

First synthetic contraceptive pill launched in UK 

The first and only oral contraception containing a new, synthetic version of a naturally occurring oestrogen has been launched in the UK. 

Clinical study first step towards treating respiratory syncytial virus 

Enanta Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to creating small molecule drugs for viral infections and liver diseases, has dosed the first subject in its Phase I clinical trial of EDP-323, a novel, oral L-protein inhibitor in development for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

New antibiotic could kill resistant pathogens 

An international team of researchers has discovered a new antibiotic by computational analysis and deciphered its mode of action. 

Cancer drug shows promise in treating incurable lung disease 

Researchers have shown that the medication saracatinib shows promise as a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).   

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