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Today's Rundown

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FDA leaders, facing doubts over the agency's independence, pledge to 'follow the science' amid pandemic

After a series of controversial decisions by the FDA so far in the COVID-19 pandemic, questions have circled over whether politics are entering the agency's decision-making process. Aware of questions and criticisms surrounding the agency, key FDA leaders are pledging to always put science first.

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Top Stories

With surge in virtual care, Teladoc, Livongo execs saw the chance to "accelerate" with massive deal

Teladoc is betting big on the continued growth of virtual care with its $18.5 billion deal to buy Livongo. Executives from both companies say the timing for the deal, even in the middle of a pandemic, was exactly right.

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Verily nets FDA authorization for pooled COVID-19 testing

Verily has received a go-ahead from the FDA to begin pooled testing for COVID-19 to help scale up its screening efforts.

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Celltrion passes early safety trial for anti-COVID-19 antibody as key tests await

Vaccines get all the headlines, but the use of antibodies to both treat and prevent SARS-CoV-02 infection is an equally major part of the COVID-19 arsenal.

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UnitedHealth Group CEO: Pandemic pushes providers to take more serious look at shift to value

COVID-19 is causing more providers to take a look at making the switch to value-based care as their fee-for-service volumes plummet, key executives say.

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Healthcare roundup: CommonSpirit Health opens new lab for COVID-19 testing

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

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Biopharma roundup: Verily grabs go-ahead to run COVID-19 pooled testing; Celltrion's monoclonal antibody hits the mark in early safety trial

Verily won a green light to run pooled testing for COVID-19. Celltrion published promising safety data on its anti-COVID-19 antibody. Chinese drugmakers have already injected thousands with experimental vaccines. The UN cautioned against countries hoarding vaccine supplies. Plus, President Trump acknowledged downplaying the pandemic threat in a leaked interview clip.

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During the pandemic, data sharing has proven to be a challenge. Here's how Healthfirst's HIE helped NYC hospitals

In New York City, which was hard-hit by the pandemic in April and May, a data-sharing platform proved to be a lifeline for health systems including NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai and Northwell Health. The health information exchange ties together critical patient information from insurer Healthfirst and 15 local hospitals.

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Sarepta cites 'overburdened' FDA as factor in DMD gene therapy delay

Burdens placed on the FDA by COVID-19 and the rapid proliferation of cell and gene therapies are a factor in the recent setback to Sarepta Therapeutics’ Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) prospect, according to CEO Douglas Ingram.

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Flagship Pioneering debuts new startup using AI to design disease-fighting proteins

After raising $1.1 billion earlier this year to back a new slate of biotechs, Flagship Pioneering has raised the curtain on an artificial intelligence company focused on discovering and designing a wide range of new drugs.

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