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Today's Rundown

AstraZeneca preps COVID-19 vaccine for FDA filing armed with 79% efficacy stat
Blue Shield spent years cultivating a relationship with Newsom. It got the state vaccine contract
FDA authorizes first AI-powered armband for COVID-19 screening
Daiichi takes mRNA COVID-19 vaccine into clinic as Japanese R&D belatedly fires up
Highmark's Allegheny Health Network posted $136M loss in 2020 amid pandemic
Healthcare roundup: Kaufman Hall report finds volumes still down for hospitals
Pharma sales face multiple question marks in 2021, thanks to the pandemic and U.S. administration change, survey says
COVID-19 tracker: Vaccine production has affected drug supplies; EMA says no to ivermectin

Featured Story

AstraZeneca preps COVID-19 vaccine for FDA filing armed with 79% efficacy stat

By Eric Sagonowsky

With the U.S. racing against new COVID-19 variants, a fourth shot looks to be on its way. In a phase 3 trial in the U.S., Peru and Chile, AstraZeneca’s vaccine—authorized in Europe and beyond, but not yet in the U.S.—posted 79% efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 and 100% against severe disease.

Blue Shield spent years cultivating a relationship with Newsom. It got the state vaccine contract

By Samantha Young, California Healthline,Angela Hart, California Healthline

Newsom’s political future now hinges, in part, on how quickly Blue Shield—which is still charged with leading how vaccines are allocated—can get shots into Californians’ arms.

FDA authorizes first AI-powered armband for COVID-19 screening

By Conor Hale

The FDA has authorized the use of its first digital, machine-learning-powered device to help screen people for COVID-19.

Daiichi takes mRNA COVID-19 vaccine into clinic as Japanese R&D belatedly fires up

By Nick Paul Taylor

Daiichi Sankyo has begun a phase 1/2 clinical trial of an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19. The vaccine is set to come to market well after leading prophylactics but gives Japan a chance to establish its own countermeasures for COVID-19 and future health crises.

Highmark's Allegheny Health Network posted $136M loss in 2020 amid pandemic

By Paige Minemyer

Highmark Health's Allegheny Health Network posted a $136 million operating loss in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, executives said Monday.

Healthcare roundup: Kaufman Hall report finds volumes still down for hospitals

By Healthcare Staff

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

Pharma sales face multiple question marks in 2021, thanks to the pandemic and U.S. administration change, survey says

By Beth Snyder Bulik

From skyrocketing expenses and delayed drug approvals to regulatory and manufacturing stalls, the outsized effect of COVID-19 slammed pharma sales management last year. The raft of changes, along with the White House administration flip late in the year, is raising big question marks for 2021, a new survey finds.

COVID-19 tracker: Vaccine production has affected drug supplies; EMA says no to ivermectin

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

COVID-19 vaccine production has negatively affected supplies of other some critical drugs. EMA warns against ivermectin use. As it closes in on a deal with Sinovac, Egypt is looking to be the prime supplier of vaccines to Africa. Russia has accused the EU of "bias" against the Sputnik V vaccine. Plus more.

COVID-19 Tracker