Massive experimental, computational, and clinical studies have been performed worldwide, and are still ongoing, to understand and characterize Covid-19 molecular basis and transmission mechanisms, to develop diagnostics and vaccines, and to search for small chemical drug candidates and therapeutic proteins and peptides. Impressive results have been obtained for transmission control and vaccines so far, but what is the status of the other therapeutic options? The crisis has exposed different types of weaknesses in biomedical research in many countries. What can we learn from this crisis in the field of drug discovery and development so as to emerge stronger? The Covid-19 crisis has revealed the strengths of modern drug discovery and vaccine development but also exposed different types of weaknesses that would need to be addressed to be better prepared for a possible next global health crisis. These challenges/weaknesses/obstacles are of very different nature and as such hard to tackle. For instance, in addition to the inherent challenging nature of the scientific discovery, some scientists have mentioned insufficient local/national coordination and observed a fragmented drug discovery research, others have underlined a lack of coordination between the academic system and the private sector, an inadequate international global coordination and cooperation, others highlighted insufficient infrastructures, inappropriate financial supports, limited discussions between the scientific community performing the research and the public health authorities, decision makers and the society, while some remarked insufficient education/training about drug discovery and development leading to confusion… The crisis also raised important scientific questions about the technologies that would need to be used during an emergency situation, combined, integrated, or developed so as to accelerate the identification of small molecule drug candidates and of therapeutic peptides/proteins.

This report synthesises the lessons emerging from an OECD Development Assistance Committee peer learning exercise on how innovation efforts can be strengthened, individually and collectively, to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

COVID-19 Global Lessons Learned is a collection of 6 interactive case studies, 6-10-page each, that is designed for online or classroom discussion or as graded assignments. The case studies include links to websites and videos, discussion and interactive questions, plus a full package of instructor resources including a helpful instructor’s guide with sample answers to discussion questions, and a test bank. The 6 Interactive Case Studies include: 1. Clinical course of COVID-19 2. Epidemiology of COVID-19 3. Testing for COVID-19 4. Population Prevention and COVID-19 5. Treatment of COVID-19 6 Health Policy and Communications for COVID-19 Available at no additional cost (excluding Inclusive Access) when bundled with a Jones & Bartlett Learning text, these case studies are designed to be used in a wide range of courses.

This book summarizes state-of-the-art antiviral drug design and discovery approaches starting from natural products to de novo design, and provides a timely update on recently approved antiviral drugs and compounds in advanced clinical development. Special attention is paid to viral infections with a high impact on the world population or highly relevant from the public health perspective (HIV, hepatitis C, influenza virus, etc.). In these chapters, limitations associated with adverse effects and emergence of drug resistance are discussed in detail. In addition to classical antiviral strategies, chapters will be dedicated to discuss the non-classical drug development strategies to block viral infection, for instance, allosteric inhibitors, covalent antiviral agents, or antiviral compounds targeting protein–protein interactions. Finally, current prospects for producing broad-spectrum antiviral inhibitors will be also addressed. The book is distinctive in providing the most recent update in the rapidly evolving field of antiviral therapeutics. Authoritative reviews are written by international scientists well known for their contributions in their topics of research, which makes this book suitable for researchers not only within the antiviral research community but also attractive to a broad audience in the drug discovery field. This book covers molecular structures and biochemical mechanisms mediating the antiviral effects, while discussing various ligand design strategies, which include traditional medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, and chemical biology approaches. The book provides a comprehensive review of antiviral drug discovery and development approaches, particularly focusing on current innovations and future trends.

It has been three years since many countries around the world were sent into a nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. As the disease infected the lungs of many people across the world, there were other adverse effects that came with not only the disease itself but the aftermath of the lockdowns. Those living with pre-existing conditions saw the COVID-19 pandemic affect them in different ways to those who were otherwise healthy. This Research Topic aims to highlight evidence on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected and continues to affect autistic individuals and to provide insights into research and interventions on how this can be tackled going forwards, in the hope that the research presented will translate to best practice applications in clinical and public health settings.

Regular review of evidence, and assessment of country needs for policy across the cascade of care is part of the core function of the Global Tuberculosis Programme of the World Health Organization (WHO/GTB). In this regard, GTB organized a consultation (2-4 March 2021) assembling scientists, public health experts, partners, civil society and countries to exchange views on emerging needs of Member States for policy guidance; to discuss critical evidence gaps related to emerging global TB policy development needs; and, to identify topical strategies best positioned to enhance the implementation and evaluation of global TB policy guidance. The present report summarizes the discussions from this meeting.