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May 27, 2020___

Today's Rundown

Featured Story

Siemens begins shipping coronavirus antibody tests with goal of 50M per month

While aiming to double its manufacturing capacity to more than 50 million blood tests per month, Siemens Healthineers has begun shipping its COVID-19 serology kits internationally, for use on about 20,000 analyzer systems installed worldwide.

[Sponsored] Salesforce proactively helps providers re-engage patients and reschedule elective procedures and services delayed by the COVID-19 crisis

Many elective procedures were postponed due to COVID-19, but with the Salesforce Accelerate Elective Procedures solution, providers are able to re-engage patients and reschedule elective procedures.

Top Stories

Primary care clinicians say they need a financial lifeline

More than half of clinicians fear they are unprepared for the next wave of the pandemic due to high stress among clinicians, limited access to testing and adequate personal protective equipment, according to a survey from the Primary Care Collaborative. As patients delay or postpone preventive health concerns, clinicians also are concerned about pent-up demand for urgent and chronic care.

Want COVID-19 herd immunity? Get 40% of population vaccinated, says ex-FDA chief Gottlieb

Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has a rough estimate for the vaccination rate needed to reach herd immunity for COVID-19: 40%. Thing is, many common vaccines are adopted by a smaller fraction.

Novavax snares $167M buyout to rapidly scale up COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing

In its pursuit of a COVID-19 vaccine, Novavax bagged a major cash infusion earlier this month with a nearly $400 million grant from a global epidemic response fund. Now, Novavax has put some of those funds to good use in an effort to supercharge its manufacturing capacity.  

What's needed to prove a COVID-19 vaccine works—and are top players across 3 continents there yet?

In the global hunt for COVID-19 vaccines, all developers are throwing enthusiasm around about their candidates. Critics say they're too optimistic. What do scientists really need to demonstrate before we can call a shot effective—and how far away are the leading candidates?

Cigna grows digital behavioral health network in partnership with Talkspace

Cigna is expanding its digital options for mental health in the wake of COVID-19. Here's a look at the insurer's latest offerings.

Pharma ups April TV spending for stuck-at-home viewers with AbbVie leading the way

Pharma's TV top spenders increased ad budgets in April, reaching out to stuck-at-home viewers and adding new messages about drug pricing support. The top 10 brands spent $183 million in national TV ads in April, up 17% from the March total of $156 million.

Biopharma roundup: Novavax buyout yields vaccine plant; France bans malaria med for COVID-19

Novavax acquired Praha Vaccines and a new manufacturing facility in the Czech Republic, with plans to partner with India's Serum Institute to boost vaccine production in the coming year. France halted the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19. The WHO warns of another peak if safety restrictions become too lax. And more.

Providence, Ascension post losses in Q1 as COVID-19 causes drop in patient admissions

Hospital systems Providence and Ascension posted losses for the first quarter as patient admissions dipped severely due to COVID-19.

The money keeps coming for Eli Lilly COVID-19 partner AbCellera with $105M round

Canadian biotech AbCellera has nabbed a meaty $105 million series B funding round as it looks to boost its antibody work and seek out new potential meds against COVID-19.

Parexel, Microsoft Azure launch COVID-19 real-world data platform

Contract research organization Parexel has launched what it dubs #KeepingPatientsFirst, a new research platform powered by Microsoft Azure.

Trump, amid COVID-19 response, touts new insulin savings program

As the election nears, and amid the drumbeat of COVID-19 news, the Trump administration unveiled a new drug pricing initiative. The measure is aimed at providing cost certainty and savings for seniors on Medicare who use insulins.

Roche's Genentech dials up new round of COVID-19 charitable giving

As COVID-19 continues to hammer communities, Genentech is committing another $42 million in charitable donations as it moves into a second phase of giving. The pharma initially spent about $7 million in emergency relief when the COVID-19 pandemic began, spending on immediate needs for front-line healthcare workers and hard-hit local communities in California.