Dear Science Advisory Board Member,

As more molecular coronavirus research becomes published, we are getting a better view of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its pathogenicity. Particularly, how the virus leverages nonstructural proteins to undermine host immune defenses and how blocking these proteins may effectively stop the virus in its tracks. More detailed molecu lar views of these accessory proteins will guide structure-based drug design and bring us one step closer to beating this pandemic.

As an example, researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health（NIH）and other academic institutions in the U.S. described how they rapidly developed a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate based on the genetic sequences of the virus and previous work with messenger RNA（mRNA）vaccine delivery systems.

This vaccine candidate, mRNA-1273, is being jointly developed by the NIH and Moderna and is part of the agency's large-scale clinical trial protocol, Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines（ACTIV）. The program includes both vaccines and treatments, and the NIH announced that it has launched phase II studies for the investigational monoclonal antibody Ly-CoV555 developed by Eli Lilly and AbCellera.

Other contenders, like Johnson & Johnson's Ad-26 and Inovio's Ino-4800, are posting positive preclinical results and their developers expect to begin late-stage clinical testing soon. Funding through the U.S. government's Operation Warp Speed program is still being allocated to new vaccine candidates, such as a recombinant protein-based vaccine being developed by Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline.

Aside from COVID-19 developments, several notable advances in immunotherapies and gene therapies were announced this week. Bio-Rad won an important patent infringement appeal over 10X Genomics, which gives it an edge in the gene expression products market. Meanwhile, Omega Therapeutics is advancing its epigenomic programming platform in clinical trials, and SAB Therapeutics has begun testing a seasonal flu immunotherapy.

Stay healthy and safe.