Constrained by the U.S. FDA’s authorized conditions of use for a booster dose of Pfizer Inc. and Biontech SE’s COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) struggled with making recommendations Sept. 23 for the use of the booster, with several members questioning the need for a third dose in some of the populations the FDA identified.
Trimers of nanobodies, a simpler form of antibody made by some animal species, were effective at preventing and treating COVID-19 in preclinical studies, researchers reported in the Sept. 22, 2021, issue of Nature Communications. The findings, along with others, could form the basis of an inhaled biologics treatment for COVID-19 and, ultimately, other respiratory diseases.
Med-tech happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Biocartis, BK Medical, Digital Therapeutics Alliance, Draper, Evoendo, Gamma Biosciences, GE Healthcare, Neuroone, Orasure Technologies, Roche Diagnostics Canada, Second Genome, Squid Healthcare, Theromics.
LONDON – Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) specialist Vaxequity Ltd. has sealed a commercialization deal with Astrazeneca plc after delivering safety data in a phase I/II trial of the technology in a COVID-19 vaccine.
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Advaccine, Algernon, Arcturus, Bluebird, Carisma, Cytodyn, Incyte, Inovio, Inventiva, Moberg, Pharmamar, Radius Health, Rhythm, Taysha Gene Therapies, Tryp.
Five days after an FDA advisory committee recommended a booster dose of Pfizer Inc.-Biontech SE’s COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty, for people 65 and older or those who are at high risk of a serious infection, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) struggled Sept. 22 with what a U.S. booster program would look like if only one booster is available when three different COVID-19 vaccines are being used in the country.
Autumn's arrival in the Northern Hemisphere on Sept. 22 swept in significant news of progress for the global fight against COVID-19. A protein-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate from Clover Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. and Dynavax Technologies Corp. appeared wholly effective in preventing severe disease and hospitalization, sending Dynavax shares (NASDAQ:DVAX) climbing 26.5% to close at $18.79 on Sept. 22. In another study of Gilead Sciences Inc.'s Veklury (remdesivir), the drug significantly reduced hospitalization in high-risk patients with COVID-19. Meanwhile, governments and companies continued to expand efforts to supply new vaccines and therapeutics against the disease even as efforts continued far and wide to evaluate the efficacy of new and emerging candidates in both categories.
While European health care systems have historically lagged the U.S. in terms of digital adoption, a report by investment firm Albion VC is highlighting how the pandemic has created the momentum for change.
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