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Today's Rundown

Sanofi, GSK kick-start phase 3 COVID-19 vax test as the pair targets variants, Q4 approval
Eli Lilly's COVID-19 antibody halted in 6 more states as Regeneron's competing option sails along
GlaxoSmithKline, Vir snag FDA authorization for new COVID-19 antibody. But how will they sell it without a supply deal?
UPDATED Coronavirus tracker: CVS offering sweepstakes to drive more people to get vaccinated
Eli Lilly hit with DOJ subpoena over New Jersey factory making COVID-19 drug
Novartis, Molecular Partners kick off global trial for COVID-19 drug with phase 2 data expected this summer
A DNA COVID-19 vaccine, delivered with help of electrical pulse, shows early promise
Pandemic relief: Pharma sales rep salaries—and job satisfaction—actually increased in 2020
COVID-19 tracker: U.S. intel can't yet determine source of virus; Sanofi, GSK launch phase 3 vaccine trial
Children's Hospital Colorado sounds alarm on 'unsustainable' spike in pediatric mental health cases

Featured Story

Sanofi, GSK kick-start phase 3 COVID-19 vax test as the pair targets variants, Q4 approval

By Ben Adams

Just two weeks after seeing a positive data readout from a small midstage test, Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline got the signoff for a much bigger phase 3, which could lead to a full approval by the fourth quarter.

Eli Lilly's COVID-19 antibody halted in 6 more states as Regeneron's competing option sails along

By Kevin Dunleavy

The U.S. has halted the distribution of Lilly’s COVID-19 antibody combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab in Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Oregon and Washington—all states where coronavirus variants from Brazil and South Africa account for more than 10% of those with the disease. The FDA recommends providers in these states use Regeneron's antibody cocktail.

GlaxoSmithKline, Vir snag FDA authorization for new COVID-19 antibody. But how will they sell it without a supply deal?

By Angus Liu

Following in the footsteps of Eli Lilly and Regeneron, a partnership between GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology won an emergency FDA nod for a COVID-19 antibody drug. The difference? It doesn’t have a supply deal with the U.S. government.

UPDATED Coronavirus tracker: CVS offering sweepstakes to drive more people to get vaccinated

By Healthcare Staff

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

Eli Lilly hit with DOJ subpoena over New Jersey factory making COVID-19 drug

By Noah Higgins-Dunn

Eli Lilly said in an SEC filing that the Department of Justice subpoenaed the company this month, demanding documents that relate to its manufacturing site in Branchburg, New Jersey, which manufactures its widely-deployed COVID-19 antibody treatment.

Novartis, Molecular Partners kick off global trial for COVID-19 drug with phase 2 data expected this summer

By Amirah Al Idrus

Novartis’ foray in COVID-19 therapeutics hit a snag in December, when its Mesoblast-partnered cell therapy failed to help patients with a life-threatening lung injury from COVID-19. But its second effort is gathering steam. The Big Pharma, along with Molecular Partners, is kicking off a phase 2/3 study of its prospect to see whether it can ward off severe disease and hospitalization.

A DNA COVID-19 vaccine, delivered with help of electrical pulse, shows early promise

By Angus Liu

Researchers in Taiwan have developed a DNA COVID-19 vaccine that’s delivered into cells with some extra help from electrical pulse. The candidate induced high levels of antibody response in animals and protected hamsters against the disease.

Pandemic relief: Pharma sales rep salaries—and job satisfaction—actually increased in 2020

By Beth Snyder Bulik

A year ago, pharma sales reps worried the pandemic would trigger pay cuts. But all may be well that ends well—MedReps' 2021 salary and satisfaction survey found healthy boosts in both income and satisfaction for pharma reps. Average salary increased $8,000 last year to top more than $158,000, while a whopping 85% reported job satisfaction.

COVID-19 tracker: U.S. intel can't yet determine source of virus; Sanofi, GSK launch phase 3 vaccine trial

By Kevin Dunleavy,Kevin Dunleavy,Fraiser Kansteiner

U.S. intelligence has two theories on the source of COVID-19 but none of the country's three agencies have enough evidence to support any conclusions. Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline have launched a phase 3 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate and will be ready to manufacture it within weeks.

Children's Hospital Colorado sounds alarm on 'unsustainable' spike in pediatric mental health cases

By Dave Muoio

An unprecedented surge of acute behavioral health presentations during the last three to four months has the pediatric health system and its community partners pleading for increased state and federal resources.

COVID-19 Tracker