Search Results for keywords:"SARS-CoV-2"

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced changes to the meeting notice for the Disease, Disability, and Injury Prevention and Control Special Emphasis Panel. This involves three specific research funding announcements focusing on US Travelers Health, Emerging Infections Networks, and monitoring school absenteeism related to influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Gregory Anderson is the contact person for more information. Kalwant Smagh, as the Director of the Strategic Business Initiatives Unit at the CDC, has the authority to sign Federal Register notices about these meetings and committee activities.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued two Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic, one requested by Pfizer, Inc., and the other by ModernaTX, Inc. These Authorizations allow the use of vaccines to help manage the public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Authorizations include specific conditions and are part of efforts to protect public health and national security in response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. The FDA ensures that such products can be used when there are no adequate, approved alternatives available.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a government-owned invention for licensing. This invention is a vaccine that uses a virus vector called VSV-EBOV to express the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. The vaccine has shown effective protection against the virus in animal tests, and it only requires a single dose. It is designed to be inexpensive to produce and provides high levels of antibodies to fight COVID-19.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is holding a closed meeting on February 8-9, 2021, to discuss grant applications concerning COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 research. The meeting will be virtual and closed to the public to protect confidential trade secrets and personal privacy. Participants will include grant reviewers evaluating the applications, and it is organized by Dr. Maryam Feili-Hariri. The discussion will cover programs related to allergy, immunology, and infectious diseases.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received requests from the Utah and Minnesota Departments of Agriculture to use a new chemical, called the BIAXAM Polymer, on airport and aircraft surfaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This chemical is designed to give long-lasting protection against the virus SARS-CoV-2. Although the product has not been previously registered as a pesticide by the EPA, the agency is now seeking public comments before deciding whether to grant emergency exemptions for its use. The BIAXAM Polymer would be applied to surfaces to potentially offer an extra layer of safety for air travelers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued five Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic. These authorizations, allowed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, aim to help address public health emergencies by making medical products available when there are no adequate alternatives. The products authorized include those requested by Baxter Healthcare, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Eli Lilly and Company, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. The FDA ensures that these authorizations are based on scientific evidence indicating that the benefits of using these products outweigh the risks.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a new invention for licensing, aiming to quickly commercialize results from government-funded research. This invention involves a vaccine technology, developed by NIH, that uses adenovirus type 4 to stimulate an immune response against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine offers benefits like durable immunity and ease of distribution and is available for companies to license. Interested parties can obtain further information and discuss collaboration opportunities by contacting Chris Kornak from the NIH.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is asking for public and federal agency comments on a proposed data collection initiative about absenteeism in schools due to influenza-like illnesses and the spread of influenza within student households. This initiative is part of an effort to better understand how influenza spreads in communities, especially from school children to their families, and aims to improve guidelines for future pandemics. Comments must be submitted by April 30, 2021. The CDC highlights that this research could provide valuable insights for public health strategies during pandemics, and the Office of Management and Budget will review the project's necessity and methodology.