UPDATED Director of BARDA leaves position amid pandemic 22-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves Rick Bright confirmed as having left his position as director of BARDA as the agency provides aid to develop solutions for COVID-19.
Regeneron’s Ebola treatment given US priority review 21-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves Regeneron’s triple antibody treatment for the Ebola virus has been provided US FDA priority review to speed regulatory action.
Manufacturing alliance set to scale Oxford University coronavirus vaccine 20-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves Halix joins a consortium to produce Oxford University’s vaccine, after first patient enrolled to clinical trial.
UK forms COVID taskforce to bring vaccine to public 20-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves UK government brings together AZ, BIA and Wellcome to speed up clinical trials and scale manufacturing of potential vaccines.
BARDA awards $483m to scale production of Moderna’s COVID vaccine 17-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves With recruitment for Phase I trials complete, Moderna receives funds to expand manufacturing capacity ready for late-stage trials.
‘No company can go it alone’: GSK and Sanofi partner against coronavirus 15-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves Two of the largest companies in the pharma industry, and specialists in developing vaccines, pool resources to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.
How is the supply chain for immunotherapies impacted by COVID-19? 15-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves COO of Dendreon explains how ‘every part’ of the supply chain for the company’s lead product has been affected by the novel coronavirus.
Vir continues to build production for COVID-19 antibody 14-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves In its latest manufacturing partnership, Vir announces that it will work with Samsung Biologics for large-scale production.
Pfizer and BioNTech preparing ‘millions’ of COVID mRNA vaccines 14-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves Pfizer and BioNTech provide further details on their work against COVID-19, including clinical trial plans and scaling of manufacture.
GSK and Vir launch collaboration on coronavirus 07-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves In two separate announcements, GSK unveils that it will partner with Vir to combat COVID-19, as well as investing in the biotech.
FDA looks to accelerate plasma therapies for coronavirus 06-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves US FDA looks to coordinate and speed up the development of blood-derived therapies to treat patients with COVID-19.
Arch Venture raises $1.4bn fund to spur ‘healthcare revolution’ 02-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves Arch Venture announces that it raised the sum across two funds, with the capital earmarked for early stage biotechs.
GE Healthcare Life Sciences completes transition into Cytiva 01-Apr-2020 By Ben Hargreaves As Danaher’s $21bn acquisition completes, GE Life Sciences rebrands to ‘Cytiva’ and, with the COVID-19 pandemic, its CEO tells us demand is high.
First US patient receives plasma therapy for coronavirus 31-Mar-2020 By Ben Hargreaves FDA grants approval for the use of donated plasma from a recovered COVID-19 patient to be infused into a critically ill patient.
Latest industry developments against COVID-19 30-Mar-2020 By Ben Hargreaves In the face of the threat from the novel coronavirus, industry momentum is gathering to produce a solution.
J&J chooses lead coronavirus candidate, sets up manufacturing for 1 billion doses 30-Mar-2020 By Ben Hargreaves The company provides update on its coronavirus plans, which includes $1bn in funding to research and expected Phase I trial commencement date.
Gates Foundation in ‘unprecedented’ coronavirus partnership with industry 26-Mar-2020 By Ben Hargreaves ‘Collective action is critical,’ says Novartis CEO on industry partnership with Gates Foundation to accelerate treatments for COVID-19.
Roche ups Actemra production anticipating increased demand 25-Mar-2020 By Vassia Barba Roche looks to maximize production of its arthritis treatment as the drug enters late-stage trials to evaluate its effectiveness against COVID-19.
Roche’s treatment for coronavirus enters Phase III 19-Mar-2020 By Ben Hargreaves Roche looks to repurpose its arthritis medicine for use against the coronavirus, after China previously endorsed its use.
Pharma events update: rescheduled, canceled, online 18-Mar-2020 By Jenni Spinner This list includes the industry events that have been postponed or moved because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sanofi, Regeneron start late-stage trials for coronavirus treatment 18-Mar-2020 By Vassia Barba Sanofi and Regeneron begin recruitment for a Phase II/III trial evaluating an existing product as a potential treatment for coronavirus.
Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine enters Phase I, ‘accelerates’ manufacturing capabilities 17-Mar-2020 By Ben Hargreaves A vaccine for the virus has reached first-in-man stage, as companies race to find a solution to the global crisis.
Gates Foundation, Wellcome and Mastercard partner to combat coronavirus 12-Mar-2020 By Ben Hargreaves The three organizations set up the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator, backing the initiative with $125m.
George Scangos to lead BIO’s efforts against coronavirus 02-Mar-2020 By Ben Hargreaves The ex-Biogen CEO will coordinate the biotech organization’s response to the virus.
WuXi in deal to develop Vir’s antibody against coronavirus 27-Feb-2020 By Vassia Barba Vir Biotechnology turns to WuXi to support development and commercialization of an antibody-based potential treatment for the coronavirus.
WuXi Biologics advises clients against China travel during Wuhan outbreak 03-Feb-2020 By Nick Taylor Chinese CDMO WuXi Biologics advises clients against travelling for face-to-face meeting during the Wuhan outbreak.