A new research is showing promise in helping to fight novel drug-resistant H7N9 influenza virus, which has caused more than 130 human infections with 43 deaths in China. The study by Juergen Richt from Kansas State University is working with scientists at Hemispherx Biopharma Inc. to develop novel pharmacological treatments. Richt is recognized as an expert on zoonotic agents and has published extensively on the monitoring of mutations and basic events leading to cross-species transmission of influenza viruses and the opportunities to adapt to human hosts, with the potential to cause a pandemic. Because of the lack of existing immunity