Newsletter Tool

To view this email as a web page, click here

Today's Rundown

Gilead gets WHO cold shoulder for remdesivir in COVID-19, launches speedy defense
White House promises bolstered strategic stockpile as COVID-19 cases soar across country
Lilly scores FDA emergency authorization for Olumiant in COVID-19, its 2nd therapeutic option
The case for value-based pricing for COVID-19 vaccines, therapies
Novartis licenses phase 3 COVID-19 cell therapy from Mesoblast
Cue Health's 'NBA Bubble' rapid COVID-19 test deployed to 5 states in HHS pilot program
Biopharma roundup: Novartis bags license for Mesoblast's cell therapy; Cue Health test pegged for HHS pilot program
Mayo Clinic generates $288M in profits for Q3 as volumes remain below pre-COVID-19 levels
ApiJect snares $590M government loan for 'Gigafactory' to produce billions of pre-filled vaccine injectors per year
Adagio's COVID-19 antibody protects mice and zaps related viruses in lab tests
CommonSpirit 'not anticipating' canceling or postponing all surgeries due to COVID-19 surges

Featured Story

Gilead gets WHO cold shoulder for remdesivir in COVID-19, launches speedy defense

By Angus Liu

Gilead Sciences’ Veklury, better known as remdesivir, is so far the only COVID-19 therapy officially approved by the FDA, but the World Health Organization has some other ideas about the drug’s worth. Guideline development experts at the international body have recommended against the drug's use in any hospitalized patients.

White House promises bolstered strategic stockpile as COVID-19 cases soar across country

By Robert King

The White House Coronavirus Task Force said that it has increased surge capacity for critical medical supplies as hospitals face mounting virus cases.

Lilly scores FDA emergency authorization for Olumiant in COVID-19, its 2nd therapeutic option

By Eric Sagonowsky

While the list of authorized medicines to treat COVID-19 remains quite short, with a new nod this week, Eli Lilly stands alone in having two therapeutic options. Lilly’s Olumiant, already approved as a rheumatoid arthritis treatment, scored an FDA emergency use authorization in combination with Gilead’s Veklury in COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized and needing oxygen.

The case for value-based pricing for COVID-19 vaccines, therapies

By Paige Minemyer

As planning for the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine begins in earnest, experts say policymakers should include value-based pricing in those considerations.

Novartis licenses phase 3 COVID-19 cell therapy from Mesoblast

By Nick Paul Taylor

Novartis has secured a global license to Mesoblast’s cell therapy remestemcel-L in the treatment of COVID-19. The deal lands Mesoblast $50 million upfront and the support of a partner that could help address critical quality attribute concerns raised by the FDA.

Cue Health's 'NBA Bubble' rapid COVID-19 test deployed to 5 states in HHS pilot program

By Conor Hale

HHS will work with the governors and state health departments of Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey and Texas to allocate tests to local and regional facilities, while Cue will provide onboarding and training support for healthcare workers.

Biopharma roundup: Novartis bags license for Mesoblast's cell therapy; Cue Health test pegged for HHS pilot program

By Eric Sagonowsky,Angus Liu,Kyle Blankenship,Conor Hale,Fraiser Kansteiner

Novartis paid $50 million upfront to develop and market Mesoblast's phase 3 COVID-19 cell therapy. Cue Health's rapid molecular test is going out to five states in an HHS pilot program. Adagio's experimental antibody charted positive animal results against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. And SII is eyeing Indian authorization plans for AstraZeneca's shot.

Mayo Clinic generates $288M in profits for Q3 as volumes remain below pre-COVID-19 levels

By Robert King

Mayo Clinic generated $288 million in profits for the third quarter after the system quickly took action to plug massive financial holes caused by COVID-19.

ApiJect snares $590M government loan for 'Gigafactory' to produce billions of pre-filled vaccine injectors per year

By Fraiser Kansteiner

ApiJect Systems was approved for a $590 million loan from the U.S. government to build a so-called 'gigafactory' designed to crank out upward of 3 billion pre-filled injectors per year. The single-use devices, meant to offer an alternative to glass vials and syringes, are expected to be used to package and deliver COVID-19 vaccines.

Adagio's COVID-19 antibody protects mice and zaps related viruses in lab tests

By Arlene Weintraub

A precursor of Adagio Therapeutics' lead drug candidate protected mice from COVID-19, and in lab tests, it neutralized two related coronaviruses known to be circulating in bats. The company aims to show that the antibody could be used to combat future viruses that cross over from animals to people.

CommonSpirit 'not anticipating' canceling or postponing all surgeries due to COVID-19 surges

By Robert King

CommonSpirit Health is trying to avoid another wholesale shutdown of elective procedures as COVID-19 surges across the country but has already curtailed surgeries in some hot spots.

COVID-19 Tracker

Featured Story

Gilead gets WHO cold shoulder for remdesivir in COVID-19, launches speedy defense

Top Stories

White House promises bolstered strategic stockpile as COVID-19 cases soar across country

Lilly scores FDA emergency authorization for Olumiant in COVID-19, its 2nd therapeutic option

The case for value-based pricing for COVID-19 vaccines, therapies

Novartis licenses phase 3 COVID-19 cell therapy from Mesoblast

Cue Health's 'NBA Bubble' rapid COVID-19 test deployed to 5 states in HHS pilot program

Biopharma roundup: Novartis bags license for Mesoblast's cell therapy; Cue Health test pegged for HHS pilot program

Mayo Clinic generates $288M in profits for Q3 as volumes remain below pre-COVID-19 levels

ApiJect snares $590M government loan for 'Gigafactory' to produce billions of pre-filled vaccine injectors per year

Adagio's COVID-19 antibody protects mice and zaps related viruses in lab tests

CommonSpirit 'not anticipating' canceling or postponing all surgeries due to COVID-19 surges