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May 11, 2020___

Today's Rundown

Featured Story

Trump administration allocates $11B for COVID-19 testing as faster tests get approved

The Trump administration will provide $11 billion to states to ramp up testing capabilities to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Top Stories

What's it like to work on J&J's coronavirus vaccine? For one scientist, it's social distancing in the lab, late nights at home

Rinke Bos is a scientist. But under the bright spotlight of COVID-19, the Johnson & Johnson immunologist has also become a media spokesperson, online video cast member and one of the many pharma researchers who symbolize hope for the world.

Novavax scores $384M deal, CEPI's largest ever, to fund coronavirus vaccine work

After winning a small grant for early vaccine work in March, Novavax just secured the largest-ever investment from CEPI, a global coalition aiding COVID-19 vaccine development. The deal, worth up to $384 million, offers funding not only for clinical work, but manufacturing scale-up if the candidate proves itself.

HHS details how it is distributing COVID-19 treatment remdesivir

HHS offered details on how it has distributed 1,244 cases of the COVID-19 experimental treatment remdesivir to several states.

Former Sanofi research exec Zerhouni favorite for COVID-19 czar: report

The U.S. government has narrowed down its list of people to be the face of its COVID-19 drug and vaccine response, and reports suggest Elias Zerhouni is currently the favorite.

FDA greenlights its first coronavirus antigen test for rapid point-of-care screening

The FDA has authorized its first COVID-19 antigen test, bringing a new category of diagnostic against the disease.

Biopharma roundup: FDA, CDC and NIAID leaders enter quarantine following exposure; New rapid antigen test authorized

The FDA authorized its first COVID-19 antigen test, a new category of coronavirus diagnostic similar to the rapid, swab-based tests used for the flu. Meanwhile, White House staffers have tested positive for COVID-19, and FDA, NIAID and CDC leaders are entering quarantine.

Healthcare roundup: Optum sees huge increase in use of telemedicine for behavioral health

FierceHealthcare's ongoing coverage of how the coronavirus is impacting the healthcare industry.

FDA authorizes saliva-based coronavirus test for at-home use

The FDA authorized its first COVID-19 diagnostic test that allows a person to collect a simple saliva sample themselves without leaving their homes.

Pfizer plans to farm out manufacturing for some of its drugs to make way for COVID-19 vaccine

Pfizer has dedicated enormous resources to gearing up for hundreds of millions of doses of a possible COVID-19 vaccine. But that massive effort requires a trade-off: Pfizer will need to contract out more manufacturing work to keep up supplies of its existing meds.

CommonSpirit came up with a new plan to restart elective procedures. Here's what it says

CommonSpirit Health has released a toolkit to its 137 hospitals, including a plan to help assuage patients who may be scared of coming back to the hospital.

Novartis leans into digital for mid-pandemic lung cancer launch

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Novartis was already working on digitizing its commercial model. But the outbreak—coupled with a recent OK for targeted lung cancer med Tabrecta—has the company hitting fast forward.

Kaiser Permanente reports $1.1B loss in Q1

Typically, the healthcare group sees its strongest operating margin in the first quarter due to the timing of open enrollment.

China, Iran hackers fingered for targeting COVID-19 vaccine R&D: reports

With drugmakers and government researchers racing after coronavirus drugs and vaccines, law enforcement agencies say hackers are trying to steal some of their discoveries. Now, after news of a potential cyberattack from Iran, the U.S. plans to implicate China in other hacking attempts on companies leading the COVID-19 pack.