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Today's Rundown

Sorry, Europe: AstraZeneca follows Pfizer/BioNTech in cutting back EU vaccine delivery plans
Illumina CEO says U.S. lags behind on catching COVID-19 mutations: CNBC
Biden orders OSHA to explore new work safety standards for workers at risk of COVID-19
Vaccine experts are excited about mRNA's success in COVID, but it's not time to 'walk away' from traditional shots: panel
Pfizer's R&D president Dolsten: Not taking government cash made us more nimble for COVID-19 vaccine
AstraZeneca vaccine production unscathed after fire breaks out at Serum Institute of India Complex
Eli Lilly's COVID-19 antibody shows it can prevent the disease. But will doctors use it?
ONC investing $20M to boost COVID-19 vaccine data sharing efforts
Healthcare roundup: HCA partners to create new venture to bolster domestic PPE manufacturing
Biopharma roundup: Bharat's vaccine safe in phase 1; Europe to question Pfizer over shot delivery delays
BIO lays off staff to adapt to another year of virtual events
Beyond COVID-19, where will biopharma focus in 2021?

Featured Story

Sorry, Europe: AstraZeneca follows Pfizer/BioNTech in cutting back EU vaccine delivery plans

By Eric Sagonowsky

As AstraZeneca nears European authorization for its highly anticipated COVID-19 vaccine, the drugmaker has notified officials that initial shipments will come in lighter than originally expected.

Illumina CEO says U.S. lags behind on catching COVID-19 mutations: CNBC

By Conor Hale

The CDC predicts that fast-spreading variants could become the predominant coronavirus mutation by the end of March.

Biden orders OSHA to explore new work safety standards for workers at risk of COVID-19

By Robert King

President Biden issued an executive order calling for OSHA to explore new emergency protections for healthcare workers fighting COVID-19.

Vaccine experts are excited about mRNA's success in COVID, but it's not time to 'walk away' from traditional shots: panel

By Eric Sagonowsky

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the profile of mRNA vaccines in a dramatic way in about a year. Looking forward, the technology holds more promise and could displace traditional shots in some diseases, experts said, but it's not time to give up on well-known vaccine platforms, either.

Pfizer's R&D president Dolsten: Not taking government cash made us more nimble for COVID-19 vaccine

By Ben Adams

Mikael Dolsten, M.D., Ph.D., Pfizer’s chief scientific officer and president for worldwide R&D and medical, is clear: The company's COVID-19 vaccine is here because of a decade of R&D work and taking major risks itself while not asking for government handouts.

AstraZeneca vaccine production unscathed after fire breaks out at Serum Institute of India Complex

By Fraiser Kansteiner

Five people have died after a fire broke out at Serum Institute of India's home base in the western state of Pune, the company revealed Thursday, but the blaze, now under control, won't hamper production of COVID-19 vaccines, company CEO Adar Poonawalla said.

Eli Lilly's COVID-19 antibody shows it can prevent the disease. But will doctors use it?

By Angus Liu

Eli Lilly’s bamlanivimab was the first antibody drug the FDA authorized to treat COVID-19. Now, the Indianapolis pharma has data showing the therapy prevents symptomatic infections. The catch? The data are limited to long-term care facilities, where vaccination is now underway—and despite their utility, antibodies are having a tough time catching on.

ONC investing $20M to boost COVID-19 vaccine data sharing efforts

By Heather Landi

As the nation continues to ramp up distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, providers will need to track vaccination progress and identify patients who are due to receive the second dose. To boost data sharing, ONC is investing nearly $20 million in CARES Act funds to help increase data sharing between health information exchanges and immunization information systems.

Healthcare roundup: HCA partners to create new venture to bolster domestic PPE manufacturing

By Healthcare Staff

Follow along with the latest COVID-19 news straight from the Fierce Healthcare team.

Biopharma roundup: Bharat's vaccine safe in phase 1; Europe to question Pfizer over shot delivery delays

By Fraiser Kansteiner,Eric Sagonowsky,Angus Liu,Conor Hale

Bharat's vaccine Covaxin was safe and triggered an immune response in a phase 1 study. The European Commission wants to get to the bottom of additional Pfizer delivery delays. Poland is considering legal action against the company if promised doses aren't delivered, while France could impose sanctions on Pfizer for future delays.

BIO lays off staff to adapt to another year of virtual events

By Nick Paul Taylor

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization has made “some staff reductions” as it faces up to the prospect of another year without the face-to-face events that were central to its pre-pandemic operation.

Beyond COVID-19, where will biopharma focus in 2021?

By Amirah Al Idrus

Fighting the pandemic will remain a top priority in 2021, but just because we’re in a pandemic doesn’t mean all other diseases have stopped plaguing humanity. We asked executives which areas might see a resurgence this year, and neurology emerged as a popular horse to bet on.

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