Respi-DART: Frontiers in drug development against respiratory viruses and emerging viruses

Abstract/ Project Summary Since 1995, the DART conference series has primarily focused on the latest advancements in antiviral therapy against viruses like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The DART series is continually evolving to tackle emerging challenges that the global community faces. In 2018, the series began a new program called Respi- DART and Emerging Viruses to address respiratory viruses like RSV and influenza that pose a significant threat to human health, particularly in vulnerable groups like infants, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. However, nobody knew that COVID-19 would strike the world two years later. The recent coronavirus pandemic has shaken the world and reminded humanity of the importance of continued research and development in this arena. By bringing together world leaders and key opinion holders, Respi-DART 2024 will tackle current challenges in drug development and vaccines and against respiratory and other emerging viruses. Specific Aims: 1. Provide an interactive workshop setting where clinicians, basic 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 such as graduate students and post- doctoral fellows and provide increased opportunities for underrepresented scientists and healthcare workers through attendee scholarships in a CME-accredited setting. Educational Objectives: 1. Epidemiology, screening, and diagnosis of all respiratory viruses, 2. Drug discovery, development, modeling, and structural biology, 3. Pre-clinical and 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 variant emergence on therapeutics, vaccines, and epidemiology. 8. Drug resistance, vaccine resistance, and viral evolution, 9. Novel assay and animal model development, 10. Viral infections and respiratory diseases in adults and pediatric populations. Design & Methods: Respi-DART 2024 will take place in Los Cabos, Mexico over three days, at a location that is easily accessed by both national and international delegates. The program will include lectures, oral abstract presentations, discussion panels, and a poster session. We believe that Respi-DART 2024 is a much-needed and timely platform for the discussion of the latest developments in this fast-evolving area of global health.