RespiDART 2022: Frontiers in Drug Development against Respiratory Viruses

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Abstract/ Project Summary Since 1995, the DART conference series have focused on the latest developments in antiviral therapy against viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Just as viruses are ever evolving, the DART series strives to adapt itself to emerging challenges facing today’s global community. Respiratory viruses such as RSV and influenza virus have longed threatened human health, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. The recent coronavirus pandemic has shaken the world to its core and has served as a sobering reminder of the importance of continued research and development in this arena. By bringing together world leaders and key opinion holders, RespiDART 2022 will tackle challenges in drug discovery/development and vaccines against respiratory viruses. The specific aims are: 1. To provide an interactive workshop setting where clinicians, scientists and health care workers can share and discuss the latest medical and scientific developments in the field of therapeutics development against respiratory viruses; 2. Develop a cross-disciplinary program that facilitates the neutral and balanced exchange of scientific knowledge in the areas of biology, chemistry, pharmacology, clinical research and public health as related to topics such as epidemiology and barriers to treatment, vaccine development, and recent clinical advances of small molecules; 3. Enhance the training of young scientists and provide increased opportunities for underrepresented scientists and health care workers through attendee scholarships in a CME accredited setting. The educational objectives are: 1. Epidemiology, screening, and diagnosis of respiratory viruses with a special focus on SARS-CoV-2. 2. Drug discovery and development. 3. Clinical evaluation of novel therapeutics in development against respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. influenza virus, RSV, parainfluenza virus, and metapneumovirus. 4. Long COVID-19. 5. Respiratory virus enzymology, host-virus interactions and virus replication. 6. Immunology and vaccine development. 7. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 variant emergence on therapeutics, vaccines and epidemiology. 8. Novel assay and animal model development. 9. Drug resistance, vaccine resistance, and viral evolution. 10. SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections and respiratory diseases in adults and pediatric populations, including SARS-CoV-2/viral coinfections. Design & Methods: RespiDART 2022 will take place in Los Cabos, Mexico over a two-day period, at a location that is easily accessed by both national and international delegates. Mexican doctors (including those servicing the local population) as well as numerous scientists from underdeveloped countries will be invited to attend. The program will include lectures, oral abstract presentations, discussion panels and a poster session. Virtual participation option will be set up in case the ongoing pandemic makes it unsafe to travel to the conference. We believe that RespiDART 2022 is a much needed and timely platform for the discussion of the latest developments in this fast-evolving area of global health.