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.