Despite concerns to the contrary, none of the mutations currently documented in the SARS-CoV-2 virus appear to increase its transmissibility in humans, according to a new analysis of viral genomes from 46,723 people in 99 countries who contracted COVID-19.

With the world experiencing another wave of the coronavirus pandemic that threatens to overwhelm hospitals and testing capacity, the ability to quickly diagnose COVID-19 based on alternative methodologies has become increasingly important. For patients with respiratory symptoms, review of CT scans emerged as a relatively reliable indicator of infection with SARS-CoV-2 from the first days of its emergence, but the need for more accurate readings remains.

Kantaro Biosciences LLC, a joint venture between the Mount Sinai Health System and RenalytixAI, has received emergency use authorization from the U.S. FDA for its semi-quantitative SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody test kit. Known as COVID-Seroklir, the test determines the presence and precise level of IgG antibodies. It has demonstrated 98.8% sensitivity and 99.6% specificity for detecting SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies against two virus antigens, the full-length spike protein and its receptor-binding domain.

CAJICA, Colombia – Cuba’s Finlay Institute of Vaccines is moving forward with Soberana 2, a domestically developed conjugate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. This is the second vaccine under development in the small country of 12 million people.

More than a third of the money raised through biopharma financings in 2020 was raised by companies developing either a therapeutic or a vaccine for COVID-19, yet completely wiping away those totals still leaves the year with $76.8 billion, a full 12% more than the next highest year.