As the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, biopharma and biotech companies are approaching the fight with various weapons – repurposed drugs, antivirals, vaccines and clinical antibodies. One of the companies deeply involved in clinical antibody development against COVID-19 is San Diego-based Sorrento Therapeutics.

Pfizer

Pfizer Inc. said a third patient had to be hospitalized after being treated with the company’s experimental gene therapy for a rare degenerative muscular condition, but said the safety profile still supports launching a larger late-stage trial of the treatment.

Any vaccine to fight the new coronavirus will not be ready for use for at least two years, the chief executive of Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis – which no longer makes vaccines itself – told a German newspaper.

COVID-19 is many things. It is creating an economic impact like we have never seen before, it’s a lesson in basic hygiene, a test in societal patience, an enormous challenge, and a rare opportunity. It also demonstrates why many have chosen the pharmaceutical profession.

Shares of Abbott Laboratories dipped in trading following reports of a new study showing that the company’s approved COVID-19 testing kits have fallen short in accurately detecting the novel coronavirus.

France said the world’s nations would have equal access to any coronavirus vaccine developed by pharmaceuticals giant Sanofi, a day after the CEO suggested that Americans would likely be the first in line.

Sanofi chief executive Paul Hudson said it was vital that any coronavirus vaccine reach all regions, hours after the pharmaceutical giant was admonished by the French government for suggesting some countries would get priority access.

The White House tapped former GlaxoSmithKline executive Moncef Slaoui to helm the administration’s “Operation Warp Speed” initiative, which has a goal of developing and distributing hundreds of millions of doses of a vaccine against COVID-19.

Summary Payment Integrity amidst COVID-19: A Health Plan Perspective Date: Thursday, June 11, 2020 Time: 01:00 PM, EDT Duration: 1 hour Register Now COVID-19 is having a profound impact on […]

Cambridge, Mass.-based QurAlis Corporation increased the company’s financial footing following a $42 million Series A financing round that will be used to support the continued development of therapeutic drugs for ALS and genetically related frontotemporal dementia (FTD).