LONDON – New research shows the extent to which an individual’s immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus is affected by which variants they are initially exposed to, a finding that has consequences for attempts to update vaccines against emerging variants of concern.
With large amounts of cash in hand from exponentially higher sales related to COVID-19, some Chinese med-tech companies are now implementing plans to continue growing in a post-pandemic world.
Med-tech happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Aurora Spine, Corza Medical, Depuy Synthes, Eurofins, Hillrom, Johnson & Johnson, Katena Products, Orthospin, Origimed, Pria Healthcare.
LONDON – The latest epidemiological data from South Africa show it has entered a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, fueled by the Omicron variant of concern that was first detected in the country in late November. “We have moved from a total of 2,465 new cases last Thursday, when this variant was announced, to yesterday’s high of 11,535 [PCR confirmed infections],” said health minister Joseph Phaahla, in a briefing on Dec. 3.
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: 180 Life Sciences, Acasti, Amgen, Arbutus, Arca, Bonus, Hepagene, Humanigen, India Globalization, Immutep, Karyopharm, Redhill, Revelation, Spago, VBI, Ysopia.
LONDON – Each of six different COVID-19 vaccines given as booster doses were safe and increased immunity when administered after two doses of either Pfizer Inc.’s or Astrazeneca plc’s vaccine, according to the latest data from the U.K. Cov-Boost trial.
The emergence of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has sparked a vigorous reaction around the globe, which in the U.S. includes steps taken by the Biden administration to ensure that the roughly 100 million people who have received an initial vaccination regime will receive a booster if eligible. The administration also reported Dec. 2 that it will take steps to ensure that home testing will be covered by private payers, all of which amounts to a massive boost in business for manufacturers of vaccines and tests despite concerns about how the Omicron variant might affect vaccine and test performance.
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