WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

NIH study finds tecovirimat safe but ineffective in reducing mpox lesion resolution time or pain among adults with mild to moderate clade II mpox. Study halted enrollment due to lack of efficacy, with no safety concerns reported.

Recce Pharmaceuticals received approval from Indonesia's BPOM to start a Phase 3 trial for RECCE® 327 gel (R327G) treating diabetic foot infections (DFIs), expediting commercial opportunities in ASEAN. The trial, one of the largest DFI studies globally, aims to enroll up to 300 patients and is expected to complete by late 2025, with a commercial launch planned for H1 2026.

Kelly Chibale's vision for an African drug discovery network, initiated 20 years ago, has materialized into the Grand Challenges African Drug Discovery Accelerator (GC-ADDA), supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and LifeArc. The network focuses on four flagship projects across Africa, addressing malaria, TB, drug metabolism, and natural product research, aiming to combat antimicrobial resistance and support local API manufacturing.

The University of South Florida achieved a record $738 million in research funding in FY 2024, up 7% from the previous year and 35% since 2022. Over half of the funding comes from federal agencies, with NIH providing $227 million, and the Department of Defense increasing its funding by 73% to $36 million. USF aims to reach $1 billion in annual research funding.

Recce Pharmaceuticals received approval from Indonesia's BPOM to initiate a Phase 3 trial for RECCE® 327 gel to treat diabetic foot infections, with the trial set to begin mid-December and expected to conclude in late 2025.

Recce Pharmaceuticals received approval from Indonesia's BPOM to initiate a Phase 3 trial for RECCE® 327 topical gel (R327G) to treat diabetic foot infections, aiming to enroll up to 300 patients and expected to complete by late 2025.

Ghana FDA approves moxidectin for river blindness treatment, marking the first regulatory approval in an endemic country. The MOMENTUM pilot program will begin in Twifo Atti-Morkwa district in January 2025, aiming to accelerate parasite transmission elimination.

The University of Pittsburgh launches VIHAR, a global initiative leveraging AI to address women’s health disparities, funded by Pitt’s School of Medicine and a gift from Vizzhy Inc. co-founders. VIHAR aims to coalesce researchers and develop AI tools for efficient analyses, focusing on women’s health across life stages. The center will be led by Vanathi Gopalakrishnan, using AI and mobile apps to create “female digital health twins” for global health simulation and optimization.

WHO seeks expressions of interest for Regional Biomanufacturing Training Centers under its Workforce Training Initiative, coordinated by Jicui Dong. Centers must deliver comprehensive biomanufacturing courses, utilize innovative pedagogical approaches, provide online training, collaborate with universities and industries, and serve as resource centers. Selection criteria include non-profit status, experience in biomanufacturing training, focus on LMICs, accredited courses, explicit commitment from institution heads, GMP-like environments, adequate infrastructure, relevant human resources, proficiency in English and target languages, ability to assess learning, sustainability strategies, strong advocacy, adequate governance, financial sustainability, and offering free seats to WHO-selected trainees. Proposals are due by February 28, 2025.