Special report: The 55 drug approvals in 2021
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Today's Rundown

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Pfizer carries pandemic momentum into 2022, scoring another huge Paxlovid deal with the US

The U.S. is doubling its order of Pfizer's COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid, buying a total supply of 20 million treatment courses so far. The move likely means Pfizer's pandemic revenue forecast will need to be scaled up, again.

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Ex-Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes found guilty on four of 11 counts of fraud

In a decision that may serve as yet another warning to other tech startups that have raked in millions of dollars in venture capital based largely on promises, rather than actual results, former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes was found guilty on four counts of defrauding investors.

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2021 drug approvals: In a year dominated by COVID, biopharma managed to deliver 55 new drugs

Each year, many scientists and other experts working in the biopharma industry see years of their work culminate in FDA approvals. With the COVID-19 crisis stretching into its third year, the 2021 batch of new drug approvals clearly demonstrates that the sector has learned how to operate in a pandemic.

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CMS pulls Trump-era Most Favored Nation drug price model

CMS has pulled a controversial Trump-era model that would have tied Medicare Part B drug reimbursements to prices paid by countries overseas.

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Co-Diagnostics completes two-pronged acquisition to begin rolling out at-home COVID testing device

With barely a week left in 2021, Co-Diagnostics got a head start on its plans for the new year by announcing and, within just a few days, promptly closing a pair of acquisitions.

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Avrobio shares plummet as Fabry program axed, new trial starts slated for 2023

Avrobio already trimmed expectations for its Fabry disease gene therapy in May because of Sanofi's Fabrazyme approval, and now the biotech is axing it all together.

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Biogen, Ionis see no need to change the formula for Spinraza successor

When it comes to spinal muscular atrophy, Biogen and Ionis are two peas in a pod. The companies have signed yet another licensing deal to develop a next-generation treatment for the genetic disorder after the success of Spinraza.

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Pfizer, GSK and Teva lead 2022's round of January drug price hikes: GoodRx

One thing many pharma companies declined to include in their New Year's resolutions? Lowering the prices of expensive brand name drugs. Within the first few days of the year, drugmakers have raised U.S. list prices on more than 400 meds, GoodRx reports.

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HCA Healthcare scoops up MD Now Urgent Care's 59 Florida clinics to support state-wide investments

The purchase, which closed in 2021, brings the chain to a total of more than 170 urgent care clinics nationwide. Other terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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Applied pumps brakes on FDA application after request for more data

Applied Therapeutics is pumping the brakes on requesting FDA approval for its first drug after the agency requested clinical outcomes data on the treatment's impact in a rare metabolic disease. 

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Desktop DNA printer maker DNA Script adds to its 9-digit VC round

DNA Script tacked on an additional $35 million for a grand total of $200 million to help promote the launch of its new systems.

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Walmart Health exec Marcus Osborne leaves the retailer amid ongoing leadership changes

Marcus Osborne, who played a key role in Walmart's push into healthcare and headed up its medical clinics, has left the retail giant. Osborne, who served as senior vice president of Walmart Health, announced his departure in a LinkedIn post on January 1.

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Novavax gathers its COVID-19 vaccine data for long-delayed FDA filing

Novavax spent much of 2021 working to file its COVID-19 vaccine with U.S. regulators but falling short of its own deadlines. As the year came to a close, the company celebrated the fact that it was nearly there. 

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CMS: Health workers in 25 states and D.C. must be fully vaccinated by Feb. 28

CMS is now requiring states that are not affected by a legal stay to fully vaccinate all staff by Feb. 28, 2022, or risk losing participation in Medicare and Medicaid.

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