General News
Good News as Scientists Find Ebola Vaccines
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A pair of experimental Ebola vaccines that protect monkeys from the fatal disease ravaging West Africa have been developed.
According to a new study, the vaccine is effective for at least five weeks in lab monkeys but requires boosting with an additional vaccine to extend its protection to 10 months.
The findings offer a glimpse of which – if any – of the Ebola vaccines in development will prove effective, and in what form.
Pharmaceutical firms are accelerating their efforts to provide Ebola vaccines and treatments as the worst known outbreak of the virus tears through West Africa, killing more than 2,000 people.
The worst known outbreak of the Ebola virus has ravaged West Africa, killing more than 2,000 people.
The results of the new study suggest, for instance, that a vaccine by pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) now being tested on healthy volunteers will protect against Ebola infection in the short term, but may have to be augmented for long-term protection.
The study, published in Nature Medicine, is the first to report that a vaccine regimen produced ‘durable immunity’ against Ebola, protecting four out of four monkeys for 10 months.
The vaccine uses a chimp adenovirus, closely related to a human version that causes upper respiratory tract infections, into which scientists spliced an Ebola gene.
The adenovirus infects cells in a vaccinated animal, causing them to take up the gene and produce Ebola proteins.
That primes the immune system to attack the proteins of Ebola viruses when an infection occurs
The vaccine in the study is similar to competing vaccines being developed by GSK, which began human safety trials last Tuesday, and by Johnson & Johnson (J&J), which aims to start safety trials in early 2015.
A third experimental Ebola vaccine uses a different delivery system, a livestock pathogen called vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV).
A version developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada and licensed to NewLink Genetics is scheduled to be tested for safety in healthy volunteers this fall.
Profectus BioSciences is also developing a VSV vaccine.
In the new study, led by Nancy Sullivan of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), researchers sought to see whether a double dose of vaccine in a regimen called ‘prime-boost’ would address two different clinical needs.
One is protecting against Ebola immediately, said Dr Anthony Fauci, NIAID director as when a person is heading to an area with an Ebola outbreak.
In the study, an adenovirus vaccine essentially the same as GSK’s does so: four of four vaccinated macaque monkeys given otherwise lethal doses of Ebola five weeks later survived and had no detectable virus in their blood. All unvaccinated monkeys died within six days.
The other need is to protect someone whose stay in an Ebola zone lasts months.
Here, the adeno vaccine faltered at one dose: when eight vaccinated macaques were exposed to Ebola 10 months later, six died.
With a new group of macaques, however, the scientists followed the initial adeno vaccine eight weeks later with a booster shot using a different carrier virus, called MVA (modified vaccine Ankara) and carrying the same Ebola gene. This time, all four infected monkeys were still protected at 10 months.
The human trial of the GSK vaccine uses a single adenovirus dose: regulators require safety trials to test each element of a regimen separately, said NIAID’s Fauci, so any adverse events can be traced more easily.
GSK also plans to test a two-dose prime-boost version, said spokeswoman Mary Ann Rhyne.
J&J’s Ebola vaccine consists of an adenovirus prime followed by an MVA boost made by Bavarian Nordic.
‘After the boost, protection is not only stronger but also longer-lasting,’ said J&J spokesman Daniel De Schryver.
Thomas Geisbert of the University of Texas Medical Branch works on the VSV-based Ebola vaccine being developed by Profectus.
He questioned the practicality of a two-shot vaccine regimen.
‘You really need a fast-acting single injection vaccine’ for protecting a community during an outbreak or preparing first responders and healthcare workers, he said.
Only VSV vaccines have been shown to protect lab monkeys when given after infection with Ebola, Geisbert said: ‘This makes it so much more useful than any of the other vaccines. For outbreaks, it works fast.’
General News
TD Africa Unveils Super App Version 2, Transforms Technology Access Across Africa
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TD Africa, a leading technology distributor in Africa, has launched TD Super App Version 2, an upgraded, feature-rich platform designed to revolutionize technology procurement for individuals and businesses.
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Omowumi Oladele, Project Manager, TD Africa
The enhanced App offers seamless access to a wide range of cutting-edge tech products at unbeatable prices, with faster delivery options to improve efficiency and convenience.
Available on both web and mobile, the revamped TD Super App boasts an intuitive, user-friendly interface, making it easier than ever for users to discover and purchase technology products.
This latest upgrade reaffirms TD Africa’s commitment to affordability, efficiency, and convenience, ensuring that businesses and individuals can access the tools they need to succeed.
With exclusive deals and discounts, registered users can enjoy significant savings on a vast selection of technology products, including computing devices, smartphones, consumer electronics, and power solutions. Optimized logistics and accelerated delivery times further enhance the shopping experience, ensuring that customers receive their technology essentials quickly and reliably.
“At TD Africa, we are dedicated to delivering value, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology solutions that drive business growth and streamline operations,” said Omowumi Oladele, Product Manager, TD Africa.
“The upgraded TD Super App Version 2 is designed to simplify procurement, enhance productivity, and maximize savings—empowering businesses and individuals across Africa.”
The App is now available for download on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Users can also access the platform via web browsers at superapp.tdafrica.com
General News
FG Drops Merger of NCAA, NAMA
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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has stepped down the merger of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) as recommended by the Steve Oronsaye report.
He also revealed that the aviation industry was exempted from the foreign travel ban placed on federal government officials last year. The President announced the ban which took effect from April last year.
Keyamo disclosed that the aviation sector was exempted from the ban because President Tinubu is desirous of change and growth in the sector.
The ban was placed following the rising cost of travel expenses by Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government.
The memo released last year stated: “Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr Presideni’s directive to place a temporary ban on all publicly funded international trips for all federal government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three months from 1st April 2024.
“All government officials who intend to go on any publicly funded international trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two weeks before embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed necessary”.
The Minister disclosed the reasons for the exemption in Abuja at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
On the merger of NCAA and NAMA, he said: “From modest beginnings, we have witnessed remarkable transformations in our sector, ranging from enhanced supervisory measures and policies formulation, safety and security oversight, robust legislative and regulatory frameworks, advancements in air traffic management, development, expansion and certification of airports, accurate meteorological services, timely accident investigations, manpower development, and indeed, the growth of indigenous airlines.
“These achievements have not come without challenges. However, with the efforts of past administrations and the total support of the present administration under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Agenda and the five focus areas of the ministry, we have overcome challenges and reached new heights.
“NCAA is a child of God, and despite turbulent waters and attempts sometimes to kill the NCAA, the NCA has survived 25 years. And I’m sure you know that any child that is born at the age of 25, of course, is undoubtedly an age of maturity.
“The Oronsanye reports also recommended the merger of NCAA and NAMA. And so that was also another attempt to kill the NCAA. That report was passed from Jonathan’s government to Buhari’s government, and then to the present government.
“It was one of the first items we considered in this government. So the Oronsanye reports came up that day, and the president went on and on, considered every item in the Oronsanye report, and asked the council to vote. And for each item, they would listen to the ministers and so the president came to the merger of NCAA and NAMA as one body.
“I raised my hand, I spoke for about five minutes and because we have a wonderful president who listens to good counsel and good arguments, after I finished speaking, he said, an item dropped, the merger of NCAA and NAMA would not remain”.
On the reasons for the exemption, he said: “It is a fact that the aviation sector remains a pillar of national development, facilitating trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange. Whilst it is yet to realize its true potential in terms of contribution to our nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), we must renew our commitment to ensuring a more progressive, sustainable, inclusive, innovative, and prosperous aviation industry.
“This necessitates the continuous adoption and integration of emerging technologies, enhancing infrastructure, and investing in human capital development to keep our skies safer and secure and attain cohesive and efficient air transportation services.
“The President directed that foreign travels should stop, except in exceptional circumstances. Last year, there was a memo around March that said it was for three months, and the President, because of his desire to ensure that we are frugal in our spending; there was another memo again in December reiterating that memo last year we should cut down on foreign travels, except by direct presidential approval.
“But let us also give particular thanks to Mr. President, because despite that memo, since last year, he has made an exception for the aviation industry. I wrote a memo to him after that directive on behalf of the entire agency that says; Sir, we respect your directive; yes, we need to be frugal because the Nigerian people have also tightened their belts in the face of the economic reforms that are taking place.
“However, because of the safety of this sector, Sir, we need to make some exceptions for this sector. And the President graciously granted this for the aviation sector”.
General News
Researchers Develop Innovative Treatment for Malaria
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An international team of researchers have introduced a groundbreaking drug, known as the covalent kinase inhibitor, which shows promise in combating treatment-resistant malaria.
Developed by chemists and bioscientists from the University of Glasgow, this innovative drug could surpass current medications by effectively targeting and disabling the proteins used by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite to replicate within the human body.
This is according to a report titled “Targeting Pf CLK3 with Covalent Inhibitors: A Novel Strategy for Malaria Treatment.”
The development, led by chemists and bioscientists from the University of Glasgow, was outlined in a November publication in the “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.”
According to the researchers, covalent inhibitors form bonds with proteins, usually irreversibly modifying them, and this new drug could be more effective than current medications at all stages of malaria infection.
The new drug works by permanently disabling a protein that Plasmodium falciparum, one of the mosquito-borne parasites that spread malaria, uses to replicate itself inside the human body.
The drug also has the potential to work as a single-dose treatment, a significant improvement over existing therapies.
This breakthrough marks the first adaptation of an approach from cancer treatments to tackle malaria.
The team expressed optimism that the parasite is unlikely to develop resistance to the new drug, which targets the protein Pf CLK3 and disrupts the parasite’s ability to splice RNA.
The researchers, including Prof. Martins Emeje from the Nigerian Natural Medicines Development Agency and Prof. Oyewale Tomori from the West African Academy of Sciences, emphasise the importance of regular calibration and accreditation for medical laboratories to ensure accurate results and reliable treatment.
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