Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been increased interest in developing a universal antiviral that would stop a pandemic in its tracks.
Direct Biologics, a regenerative biotechnology company with a groundbreaking extracellular vesicle (EV) platform technology, announced that the FDA cleared the company to proceed with a Phase 3 clinical trial using the investigational EV drug ExoFlo to treat Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) due to Covid-19.
Shares of Veru Inc. soared nearly 200 percent after the Florida-based company announced its Phase III COVID-19 antiviral treatment was halted early based on positive efficacy following an Independent Data Monitoring Committee’s recommendation.
As Pfizer’s antiviral Paxlovid tablets against COVID-19 roll out, the company indicated it had halted the development of the intravenous variation of the drug, PF-07304814. In other news, SaNOtize Research & Development Corp. and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. announced that a Phase III trial of Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) hit the primary endpoint.
Shared in Mesoblast dropped on the last day of August 2021 after the Melbourne-based biotech was told that the company’s investigational respiratory treatment for Covid-19 needed to undergo another trial in order to receive emergency use authorization (EUA) from U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue could help treat ARDS in Covid-19 patients, according to results of a Phase I/IIa clinical trial published by University of Miami researchers.
Novartis inked an exclusive worldwide license and collaboration deal with Australia-based Mesoblast to develop, commercialize and manufacture remestemcel-L for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), including when it is linked to Covid-19.
Omeros Corp.’s experimental treatment helped six patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by Covid-19 recover and get discharged from the hospital, sending the drug developer’s shares up 60%.
Massachusetts adopted the country’s toughest ban on the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products, including menthol cigarettes, in response to a rise in youth vaping and an outbreak of vaping-related serious lung injuries.
