Zika - Bill of Health

The Secret World of mRNA: HDT Bio Corp v. Emcure and Access to Next-Gen mRNA

November 22, 2022November 22, 2022 Aparajita Lath Leave a comment

By Aparajita Lath

The future of public health in an “RNA world” is on trial in a trade secrecy dispute worth $950 million currently being fought before the District Court of the Western District of Washington, Seattle between HDT Bio Corp. and Emcure Pharmaceuticals.

The trade secrets at issue concern an improvement over existing mRNA technology called “self-amplifying RNA” or “saRNA.” saRNA are effective at much smaller doses and lower costs. The saRNA technology is being used to develop vaccines for COVID, Zoster, Zika and Rabies.

What Can the Federal Government Do When States Make Dangerous Decisions?

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021 Jennifer S. Bard Leave a comment

By Jennifer S. Bard

The threat posed to the welfare, economy, and security of the United States by the rapidly spreading COVID-19 virus is as serious as any we have ever confronted.

But, at the same time that the federal government is spending billions of dollars on distributing vaccines, and exerting their authority by prohibiting evictions and requiring masks on public transportation, many individual states are not just refusing to take effective measures to stop the spread, but also are pouring gasoline on the fire by doing all they can to undermine even the remaining, weak guidelines published by the CDC. Some have gone so far as to restrict the flow of information by prohibiting public health officials from disseminating news about the vaccines provided by the federal government.

The effects of these actions not only promote the spread of COVID-19, but also fuel its mutation into new forms, and cannot be confined by any existing geographic or cartographic boundary. So how is the federal government allowing this to happen? It’s not for lack of authority.

Zika Messes with Texas

February 6, 2016February 6, 2016 glipper 2 Comments

Photo: Texas + Fence — Flickr Creative Commons—Adam Simmons

By Gregory M. Lipper

For an ambitious, aggressive disease like Zika, Texas is an ideal home. Earlier this week we learned that Zika—a nasty virus that has spread to over 25 countries—was transmitted by sex to a resident of Dallas. Six more cases of Zika have also been confirmed in Harris County, Texas. The appearance of Zika in Texas may be happenstance, but Texas’s health policies will make it easier for Zika to spread. Among other problems, Texas (1) fails to teach students about safe sex and reduces access to affordable, effective contraceptives; (2) has blocked access to Medicaid for up to 2 million low-income residents; and (3) is trying to restrict if not eliminate access to safe abortion. Not a bad place for a communicable disease that can spread through sex and cause birth defects.