In a peer-reviewed study published May 17 in PLOS Medicine, scientists found that mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines were superior to adenovirus vector-based ones across major variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca moved to bolster the company’s COVID-19 portfolio of antibodies on May 17 with a $157 million licensing deal for experimental therapies developed by newly launched biotech RQ Bio.

In recent months, the biotech and biopharma industries have been struggling with layoffs and dropping stocks. However, some companies are still experiencing success. Sanofi, AstraZeneca, Avillion and Diadem recently announced positive clinical results, providing positive news for patients with multiple myeloma, asthma and Alzheimer’s disease.

Just as Emergent BioSolutions looked to be making some headway in course corrections following a production mishap that ruined millions of doses of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, new information indicates the Maryland-based company sought to hide the deficiencies from federal regulators, all while touting its manufacturing capabilities, according to a BioSpace article.

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca and Sanofi’s Phase III and Phase IIb clinical trials investigating the efficacy of nirsevimab, measured through the development of secondary infections, are impressing the pharma community with positive prespecified pooled analysis results. The data shows 79.5 percent efficacy in the prevention of lower respiratory tract infections, caused by infection of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

COVID-19 vaccine makers are shifting gears and planning for a smaller, more competitive booster shot market after delivering as many doses as fast as they could over the last 18 months.

Severe obesity may weaken the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in those who have never been infected with the coronavirus, according to a small Turkish study. Additionally, South African researchers have found infection with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus can significantly improve the immune system’s ability to protect against other variants, but only in people who have been vaccinated.

AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s breast cancer therapeutic Enhertu received supplemental approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Enhertu was approved for treating adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either in the metastatic setting or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy.

Two biologic therapeutic candidates met their primary endpoints in separate Phase III trials: AstraZeneca’s Ultomiris and Argenx’s Vyvgart.

AstraZeneca’s proposed treatment for heart disease delivered positive high-level results from the company’s Phase III DELIVER trial.