COVID-19

Pic:getty/licsiren

Johnson & Johnson starts Phase 3 trial for COVID-19 vaccine

By Rachel Arthur

Johnson & Johnson has launched its pivotal global Phase 3 trial for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate: anticipating the first batches of its vaccine will be available for emergency use authorization in early 2021.

A broad shift in the gene therapy space impacts demand for viral vectors. Pic: getty/yourphoto

Why viral vector manufacturing capacity is constrained

By Nick Taylor

Viral vector production capacity has become increasingly constrained in recent years due to increases in the therapies in development, the dosages given and the patient populations targeted. COVID-19 is exacerbating the situation.

© GettyImages/ipopba

Cytiva invests for global capacity expansion

By Jane Byrne

Cytiva is to invest US$500m over the next five years to raise manufacturing capacity, hiring nearly 1,000 personnel in Austria, China, Singapore, Sweden, and the US, and bringing on new manufacturing lines, 24/7 shift patterns, and increased automation.

© GettyImages/vchal

Spotlight on Moderna funding declarations in patent filings

By Jane Byrne

Two US government agencies are investigating whether Moderna Therapeutics, the biotech company behind one of the leading Covid-19 vaccine candidates, was upfront about government funding in its filed or awarded patents, as required by federal law.