Pharmaceutical company Pfizer and biotechnology company BioNTech have announced the first interim efficacy data from a large-scale trial evaluating BNT162b2, a vaccine candidate developed against SARS-CoV-2. Their press release indicates a vaccine efficacy rate of ~90% seven days after a second dose of the vaccine is administered, however the data is yet to be published.

In Science, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine describe a new method to extract tiny but extremely powerful SARS-CoV-2 antibody fragments from llamas, which could be fashioned into inhalable therapeutics with the potential to prevent and treat COVID-19.

A research team has reported that compounds simultaneously targeting Mpro and cathepsin L could improve the treatment of COVID-19 infection.

Whilst the world waits for an effective COVID-19 vaccine to be developed, researchers are working tirelessly to design new drugs and repurpose existing drugs against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

On December 31, 2019, the first cases of a novel coronavirus were identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Here, we curate a collection of news and content related to what has become the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers must consider a number of factors for in vitro experiments. Selecting the most appropriate cell line or primary culture for the project at hand is only the first step. Researchers must then be vigilant to prevent contaminating the culture, from the initial moments it is plated and all throughout consecutive passages.

Jason Kindrachuk is an assistant professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Canada. Much of his research is directed towards the circulation, transmission and pathogenesis of emerging viruses that pose significant threats to human and animal health. Technology Networks recently had the pleasure of interviewing Kindrachuk to learn more about his work with coronaviruses and the development of a vaccine candidate against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

In this article, we look at two factors that may impact the pharmacokinetics of drugs; our gender, and the microbes we share our body with.

Technology Networks is committed to keeping you updated with the latest research in this space. In this article, you'll find a curation of our latest COVID-19 vaccine-related content.