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Today's Rundown

AstraZeneca's touting COVID vaccine safety record, but countries are still dropping out—and supply problems persist
Biden admin to boost Medicare reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccinations
After Mesoblast COVID-19 drug flop, Novartis tries again with Molecular Partners
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine faced EMA manufacturing concerns ahead of emergency nod: report
HIMSS to pay $2.8M to settle to class action lawsuit brought by HIMSS20 exhibitors over show fees
Roche to pick up GenMark Diagnostics in $1.8B infectious disease testing deal
One year of COVID: John Halamka reflects on how the pandemic spurred collaboration—and a lot of goat grooming
VIDEO: It's been a year. So, when did you realize the world was going to change?
COVID-19 tracker: U.S. nod for AZ shot could come in a month; Moderna begins study of next-gen vaccine
Pharma looks to spotlight need for more patients—and diversity—in COVID-19 trials
Fierce Biotech’s top 10 data readouts in 2021

Featured Story

AstraZeneca's touting COVID vaccine safety record, but countries are still dropping out—and supply problems persist

By Eric Sagonowsky

AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout has hit one pothole after another—supply shortfalls, reports of blood clots and countries suspending usage, one by one. The rough ride isn't over yet, either. Even as the company publicly backed its shot's safety, more countries halted their campaigns. And AZ had to cut its EU delivery promises yet again.

Biden admin to boost Medicare reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccinations

By Robert King

The Biden administration is increasing the Medicare reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccinations to $40 a shot, up from $28, in a bid to help providers.

After Mesoblast COVID-19 drug flop, Novartis tries again with Molecular Partners

By Ben Adams

Novartis is kick-starting a new trial with Molecular Partners for an experimental COVID-19 drug just a few months after another partnered attempt flopped.

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine faced EMA manufacturing concerns ahead of emergency nod: report

By Fraiser Kansteiner

European regulators in November raised concerns about lower-than-expected quantities of intact mRNA in commercial batches of Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, the BMJ reports. Those issues have been resolved, the EMA says, though the issue shines a spotlight on the complex quality assurance for the cutting-edge vaccines.

HIMSS to pay $2.8M to settle to class action lawsuit brought by HIMSS20 exhibitors over show fees

By Heather Landi

The organizer of the canceled HIMSS20 conference will pay $2.8 million to settle a lawsuit brought by HatchMed and other exhibitors who complained that they received no refund when the show was called off. In the suit, companies alleged HIMSS committed a "cash grab" by canceling the industry trade show and pocketing the show fees.

Roche to pick up GenMark Diagnostics in $1.8B infectious disease testing deal

By Conor Hale

Roche has inked a $1.8 billion, all-cash deal for GenMark Diagnostics, to acquire its molecular tests designed to screen patient samples for multiple infections simultaneously.

One year of COVID: John Halamka reflects on how the pandemic spurred collaboration—and a lot of goat grooming

By Heather Landi

It was exactly one year ago, on March 15, while on a flight from Boston to Rochester, New York, that John Halamka realized COVID-19 was going to drastically change life as we know it. The health IT expert, physician and farmer reflects on how the pandemic has broken down competitive barriers, how he thinks the collaborations will last and why people are finding solace in socializing pigs.

VIDEO: It's been a year. So, when did you realize the world was going to change?

By Tina Reed

Fierce Healthcare recently chatted with leaders around the industry about when they first realized the COVID-19 pandemic was going to change everything.

COVID-19 tracker: U.S. nod for AZ shot could come in a month; Moderna begins study of next-gen vaccine

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

AstraZeneca's vaccine could be a month from approval in U.S., says NIH director. Moderna has begun a phase 1 study of a next gen COVID-19 vaccine. Plus, AZ's recent supply target to EU isn't assured. And more.

Pharma looks to spotlight need for more patients—and diversity—in COVID-19 trials

By Sharon Klahr Coey

Customers visiting Black-owned barbershops are getting an education along with their undercuts—thanks to a new COVID-19 marketing effort. It's part of a campaign, fielded by a coalition including a who's who of Big Pharma, that's designed to remind people that COVID-19 clinical trials still need patients.

Fierce Biotech’s top 10 data readouts in 2021

By Phil Taylor

The first two entries in our 2021 clinical readouts list cover clinical trials of vaccines and therapeutics in COVID-19. Out list also covers familiar ground, featuring emerging drug candidates for cancer, diabetes, central nervous system disease, rare disorders and immunological conditions.

COVID-19 Tracker