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Today's Rundown

Amgen cuts 'several hundred' U.S. jobs, primarily sales reps, as COVID-19 speeds a shift to digital
Data privacy startup SkyFlow jumps into digital health passport market to help public spaces reopen
GSK inks deal to produce CureVac's COVID-19 vaccine—and develop a next-gen version, too
Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson balk at shareholders' push for COVID-19 vaccine pricing info
Humana posts $274M profit loss in Q4, cites significant increase in COVID-19 costs
BD secures European approval for COVID-19 blood test to predict which patients may need a ventilator
Bristol Myers makes late play for COVID-19 antibody space, picking up 2 early-phase molecules from Rockefeller
COVID-19 tracker: Novavax shot starts rolling review in Europe; Bristol Myers joins the COVID antibody fray
UPDATED Coronavirus tracker: FEMA to deliver $1.7B to localities for vaccine distribution
As GSK enters key transition year, COVID-19 immunization could hurt Shingrix uptake: exec

Featured Story

Amgen cuts 'several hundred' U.S. jobs, primarily sales reps, as COVID-19 speeds a shift to digital

By Beth Snyder Bulik

Amgen is cutting "several hundred" jobs, and its U.S. sales teams are bearing the brunt of it. The California-based drugmaker confirmed Wednesday that it is shrinking its workforce, "primarily in the U.S. sales force," as it pivots to upcoming drug launches and adopts pandemic-time digital marketing tools for the long run.

Data privacy startup SkyFlow jumps into digital health passport market to help public spaces reopen

By Brian T. Horowitz

Startup SkyFlow is entering the health care space to provide a way for people to go back to public spaces amid the COVID-19 pandemic with a digital passport. SkyFlow investor Jonathan Bush says the company is taking a unique "privacy-first" approach to ease the sharing of COVID-19 test results and vaccination data.

GSK inks deal to produce CureVac's COVID-19 vaccine—and develop a next-gen version, too

By Angus Liu

As a Sanofi-partnered vaccine falls behind in the COVID-19 race, GlaxoSmithKline has decided to team with CureVac to help manufacture its current phase 3 mRNA candidate and develop a multivalent shot to tackle emerging variants of the novel coronavirus. It's a chance to move to a "next-gen solution," GSK CEO Emma Walmsley said.

Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson balk at shareholders' push for COVID-19 vaccine pricing info

By Kevin Dunleavy

What's the rationale behind COVID-19 vaccine and drug prices when federal funding is involved? Some investors want to know—and they've asked a half-dozen companies to put the idea to a shareholder vote—but a couple of the leading contenders are fighting back.

Humana posts $274M profit loss in Q4, cites significant increase in COVID-19 costs

By Paige Minemyer

Humana is intending to grow its newly launched Author model, which takes a tech-enabled approach to personalized care.

BD secures European approval for COVID-19 blood test to predict which patients may need a ventilator

By Conor Hale

BD has launched a new COVID-19 blood test in Europe that can help hospitals identify incoming patients that may be more likely to require intensive care with a ventilator and carry a higher risk of death from the disease.

Bristol Myers makes late play for COVID-19 antibody space, picking up 2 early-phase molecules from Rockefeller

By Nick Paul Taylor

Bristol Myers Squibb has secured global rights to a pair of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies discovered by The Rockefeller University. The antibodies entered phase 1 development last month, putting them well behind similar therapies from companies including Eli Lilly and Regeneron.

COVID-19 tracker: Novavax shot starts rolling review in Europe; Bristol Myers joins the COVID antibody fray

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

Novavax's shot is now part of a rolling review in Europe. Meanwhile, Switzerland declined to authorize AstraZeneca's vaccine. Bristol Myers picked up the rights to a pair of antibodies discovered by The Rockefeller University. Biogen's Spinraza and GSK's Shingrix took pandemic sales hits. And BD rolled out a new blood test in Europe.

UPDATED Coronavirus tracker: FEMA to deliver $1.7B to localities for vaccine distribution

By Healthcare Staff

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

As GSK enters key transition year, COVID-19 immunization could hurt Shingrix uptake: exec