Merck entered a collaboration agreement with the Seattle-based Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) to investigate and define the molecular activity of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the resulting disease, COVID-19.

The World Health Organization said on Saturday that there was currently “no evidence” that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second coronavirus infection.

Klick Health made the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) 3D model it designed available as an open-source asset to news media and others looking to visually represent the COVID-19 virus with as much detail and accuracy as possible. The new 3D model is available for download as an illustration and video animation at covid19.klick.com.

Researchers at Switzerland-based Empa, ETH Zurich and Zurich University Hospital developed a sensor that has the potential to identify SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, in the air.

Swiss pharma giant Roche joined the race to develop a test for COVID-19 antibodies in people who have been exposed to the disease.

Moderna Inc. announced an agreement for a commitment of up to $483 million from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to accelerate development of the company’s mRNA vaccine candidate, mRNA-1273, against the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

In a controlled laboratory test, Eagle Pharmaceuticals’ malignant hyperthermia treatment Ryanodex (dantrolene sodium) inhibited the growth of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic. The company hopes to launch a clinical trial testing the efficacy of the drug in patients.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than 70 potential vaccines under development, with three already in clinical trials.

While the world waits for a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 – the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 – one likely control and exit strategy is testing for immunity, or an antibody test.

Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals expanded a clinical trial of the companies’ rheumatoid arthritis drug Kevzara as a coronavirus treatment to patients outside the United States.