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Today's Rundown

There's a scramble to create digital 'health passports.' These companies are teaming up to make sure they all work
Merck canned its own COVID-19 vaccines. Now, it's in talks to manufacture other companies' shots
FDA greenlights Visby Medical's single-use, portable PCR test for COVID-19
Nearly half of rural hospitals face negative operating margins as COVID-19 hits outpatient revenue
AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine rollout is the headline-grabber, but new drug launches drove 2020 growth
IQVIA books Q4 revenue jump as R&D solutions unit returns to growth after a tough year
Biopharma roundup—Novavax nears European supply deal
Docs stitched together creative responses in pandemic's first year. Now, they need more targeted support: study
Cancer during COVID-19: Novartis exec Schaffert headlines campaign highlighting the other 'C' word

Featured Story

There's a scramble to create digital 'health passports.' These companies are teaming up to make sure they all work

By Heather Landi

Companies in the technology, health and travel sectors have banded together as part of the Good Health Pass Collaborative to create a "blueprint for interoperable digital health pass systems."

Merck canned its own COVID-19 vaccines. Now, it's in talks to manufacture other companies' shots

By Eric Sagonowsky

After Merck got off to a late start in the COVID-19 vaccine race and made an early exit, the drug giant is in talks to produce doses for other companies. Merck is "actively involved" in discussions with governments, health agencies and vaccine makers about the ways it can help, a spokesman said.

FDA greenlights Visby Medical's single-use, portable PCR test for COVID-19

By Conor Hale

Visby Medical received a new emergency authorization from the FDA for its rapid, single-use PCR test designed to detect COVID-19 infections at the point of care.

Nearly half of rural hospitals face negative operating margins as COVID-19 hits outpatient revenue

By Robert King

Nearly half of rural hospitals are dealing with negative operating margins as the pandemic has caused major holes to facilities' outpatient revenues, a new study said.

AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine rollout is the headline-grabber, but new drug launches drove 2020 growth

By Eric Sagonowsky

While AstraZeneca stands on the world stage with its COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the drugmaker’s suite of new drug launches propelled its financial performance last year, generating more than half of overall sales.

IQVIA books Q4 revenue jump as R&D solutions unit returns to growth after a tough year

By Ben Adams

IQVIA has seen a big jump in revenue for the fourth quarter as it continues to steer around pandemic roadblocks.

Biopharma roundup—Novavax nears European supply deal

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

Novavax is nearing a vaccine supply deal with Europe, while Visby Medical scored an FDA nod for its rapid PCR test. Meanwhile, drugmakers are looking at alternative ways to show their vaccines' effectiveness.

Docs stitched together creative responses in pandemic's first year. Now, they need more targeted support: study

By Tina Reed

In one case, a Virginia primary care practice said an insurer offered financial help but only on the condition the practice refrain from being acquired by a hospital or larger physician group for a number of years.

Cancer during COVID-19: Novartis exec Schaffert headlines campaign highlighting the other 'C' word

By Sharon Klahr Coey

Novartis' new awareness campaign reminds people that another “C" word remains a global health problem during the pandemic. While COVID-19 dominates headlines, cancer is still hurting people every day, too.

COVID-19 Tracker