The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) announced a significant financial boost to drugmaker Shionogi, Inc., with a $375 million investment aimed at developing a drug to prevent COVID-19 infections in individuals with compromised immune systems. This funding will facilitate researchers at the university in defining a lead optimization path for a direct-acting peptide therapeutic that targets the BamA protein in gram-negative bacteria. The decision comes amidst ongoing efforts to enhance global health security.
In parallel, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reported new cases of vaccine-derived polio this week across Chad, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, all caused by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). Ethiopia recorded 7 new cases, increasing its total to 27 for the year. Nigeria added 1 new case in Jigawa, raising its tally to 94. Chad reported 3 new cases from the regions of Ouaddai and Mayo-Kebbi Est. Four countries, including Pakistan, reported new polio cases with onsets of paralysis occurring in late 2024.
Meanwhile, a randomized controlled trial conducted in Uganda revealed promising results for combating malaria in children under five. The study demonstrated that seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) using SPAQ (sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine) and dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine significantly reduced malaria incidence by 94% and 96%, respectively, compared to the control group. However, the trial also highlighted concerns over parasite resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in East and Southern Africa, prompting the need for evaluating alternative regimens.
"Continued monitoring of drug resistance and exploration of alternative regimens are necessary to ensure the long-term effectiveness of SMC in areas with resistance to sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine," noted researchers involved in the study.
Additionally, Pakistan reported 2 new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases, bringing the country's total to 68 for the year. The most recent cases were detected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces, with onsets of paralysis on November 25 and December 21, 2024. Germany has also recorded more environmental detections of cVDPV2, indicating persistent challenges in controlling polio spread.
"Since BamA is involved in essential processes for the survival of a wide range of Gram-negative pathogens, an optimized peptide antibiotic targeting this protein could have broad-spectrum activity, with a potential for a lack of cross-resistance to current therapies," highlighted experts working on the peptide therapeutic development.
The collaboration between ASPR and Shionogi is expected to accelerate the development of preventative therapeutics.
"At BARDA, we will be working with Shionogi to accelerate development of this preventative therapeutic to help protect vulnerable Americans," stated officials at BARDA.
