Pfizer Inc.'s oral antiviral for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 will soon be available in Great Britain after the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted conditional authorization for the medicine, called Paxlovid (PF-07321332, ritonavir).
Preliminary data from a phase IIIb study of Johnson & Johnson’s Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine showed a homologous booster dose was 85% effective against hospitalization in participants from South Africa.
The run on at-home COVID-19 tests may be for naught. The FDA warned that the popular rapid antigen tests recommended to keep New Year’s Eve revelers, relatives visiting elderly grandparents and workers exposed to the coronavirus from spreading COVID-19 are less likely to detect the Omicron variant than earlier strains of the virus. “Early data suggest that antigen tests do detect the Omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity,” the agency said in an update on Dec. 29. Despite the higher rate of false negatives, the FDA said individuals should continue to use the tests. Those experiencing symptoms or with a high likelihood of infection based on exposure should follow-up with a molecular test if their antigen test returns a negative result.
Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Beximco, Blueprint, Enbiotix, Lengo, Pfizer, Polyphor.
Regulatory snapshots, including global submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Siemens Healthineers.
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