Whether it’s the highly mutated Omicron variant emerging in South Africa as biopharma researchers scramble to create custom-made vaccines in record time or the institutional mandates juxtaposed with waning vaccine immunity and the ongoing ups and downs of cases and deaths, the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to dig its ugly spikes into an uncertain and anxious world.

While the world grapples for a clear picture of the Omicron variant and how to handle it, Moderna Inc., Biontech SE and Adagio Therapeutics Inc. stepped out with stock advances, building on momentum from the end of last week, while eyeing 2022 as a launch date against the variant.

LONDON – Cases of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2, which has an unprecedented number of mutations in the spike protein that is the target of most COVID-19 vaccines, have now been reported across Europe and in Canada, following its initial detection in South Africa.

Efforts to find new treatments for cancer and infectious diseases account for nearly half of the phase I, II and III clinical data recorded in 2021.

LONDON – Medical research charities that form an integral part of the U.K. health research system are still reeling from the impact of COVID-19 and now expect it will be three years before funding returns to pre-pandemic levels.