RespiDART & Emerging Viruses: Frontiers in Drug Development against Respiratory Viruses

Abstract/ Project Summary Over the past several decades, 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, SARS , MERS, and influenza virus have longed threatened human health, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly, and the immune-compromised. The recent coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) 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 & Emerging Viruses 2020 will tackle current challenges in vaccine and drug development 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 health care workers through attendee scholarships in a CME accredited setting. Educational Objectives: 1. Epidemiology, screening & diagnosis for respiratory viruses, with special focus on SARS-Cov-2; 2. Pediatric, geriatric and special populations considerations and barriers to treatment; 3. New antiviral targets and novel therapeutics in development; 4. Current status of antiviral and vaccines in clinical trials; 5. Enzymology, immunology, inflammation, host-virus interactions, and virus replication; 6. Cell culture and animal models for development of therapeutics against respiratory viruses; 7. Drug resistance, vaccine resistance, and viral evolution. Design & Methods: RespiDART & Emerging Viruses 2020 will take place in Los-Cabos, Mexico over a two-day period, a location that is easily accessed by both national and international delegates and is a developed country with a large population impacted by many respiratory viruses. The program will include state-of-the-art 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 location. We strongly believe that RespiDART 2020 is a much needed and timely platform for the discussion of the latest developments in this fast-evolving area of global health.