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).
