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Today's Rundown

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Pfizer, BioNTech start their COVID-19 vax phase 3, squaring off with Moderna

Pfizer and German biotech partner BioNTech have on the same day as rival Moderna kick-started a late-stage effort for their “best” attempt at an mRNA pandemic vaccine.

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Top Stories

GOP relief bill gives providers liability protection, another $25B

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released a new COVID-19 legislative package that includes liability protection for providers.

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Biopharma roundup: Remdesivir nabs Canadian COVID-19 OK; Pfizer shot could tee up $15B sales, analyst says

Canada granted conditional approval to Gilead's remdesivir in severe COVID-19. Pfizer could earn $15 billion-plus from its COVID-19 vaccine, one analyst thinks; meanwhile, the pharma ratcheted up its 2020 sales projections, vaccine not included. A vaccine distribution initiative weighs tiered pricing for equitable shot access. Plus, a new viral mutation could boost vaccine efficacy.

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UHS generates $251M in profits thanks to help from COVID-19 relief funds

Federal stimulus funds helped Universal Health Services generate $251 million in profit in the second quarter and offset major declines in revenue due to COVID-19.

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Healthcare roundup: COVID-19 hospitalizations cost Medicare $2.8B, CMS says

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

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Vyndaqel, Ibrance boost Pfizer as it eyes COVID-19 vaccine launch this year

Add another name to the list of pharmas reporting sales declines amid the pandemic. But this company, Pfizer, is still dialing up its full-year revenue expectations—not that it’s counting any contribution from a closely watched COVID-19 vaccine candidate it’s hoping to launch this year.

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Neidorff: Centene planning for COVID-19 to linger well into 2021

Centene Corporation earned $1.21 billion in profit for the second quarter. That's a significant boost from the $495 million in profit it reported in the second quarter of 2019.

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Covance revenue hit hard as COVID-19 continues to drag on trial services

Covance’s sales fell into the red this quarter as LabCorp’s CRO unit continues to battle major pandemic headwinds.

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