Newsletter Tool

To view this email as a web page, click here

Editor's Note: The Fierce COVID-19 Update will not publish Thursday and Friday due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, but will return to your inbox Monday, Nov. 30.

Today's Rundown

Featured Story

Feds on COVID-19 mRNA vaccine distribution: Pfizer's dry runs predict a 'very doable process'

By Arlene Weintraub

More than 6 million doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 mRNA vaccine could ship in mid-December, Operation Warp Speed officials said. To get the vaccine out quickly to high-risk groups, Pfizer has been running rehearsals at distribution sites around the country, creating "growing confidence" in the rollout, they added.

BioNTech, Fosun start COVID-19 vaccine trial to support Chinese approval

By Nick Paul Taylor

BioNTech and Fosun Pharma have begun a phase 2 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine in China. The trial will generate data to support a filing for approval of the vaccine, which is nearing authorization in the West, in China.

Sanford Health CEO steps down after sparking controversy for not wearing mask

By Tina Reed

Longtime Sanford Health President and CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft is stepping down after sparking controversy for refusing to wear a mask.

CureVac ties up Wacker to churn out more than 100M doses of mRNA coronavirus vaccine

By Kyle Blankenship

Riding a wave of interest in mRNA-based vaccines, Germany's CureVac is looking to capitalize and rapidly drive manufacturing of its own shot candidate. After announcing a plan to bring more partners on board, CureVac has knotted the first of those deals to the tune of 100 million doses.

Northwestern publishes open AI that spots COVID-19 in chest X-rays

By Conor Hale

Researchers at Northwestern University have trained an artificial intelligence algorithm to automatically detect the signs of COVID-19 on a basic X-ray of the lungs, and it’s capable of outperforming a team of specialized readers.

Biopharma roundup—Azar pegs 6.4M Pfizer doses for mid-December

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

States will likely receive 6.4 million Pfizer doses by mid-December, Alex Azar said. COVAX has secured hundreds of millions of AstraZeneca doses. Fosun and BioNTech are plotting a phase 2 trial of the German firm's mRNA-based shot. Sinopharm reportedly filed to market its late-stage vaccine. States will have final say over distribution of initial doses.

Healthcare roundup—Poll finds many adults will wait to get COVID vaccine

By Healthcare Staff

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

Mount Sinai, RenalytixAI joint venture gets green light for COVID-19 antibody test

By Conor Hale

A COVID-19 antibody diagnostic developed through a joint venture between Mount Sinai Health System and RenalytixAI has been granted an emergency green light from the FDA.

How mapping technology and location intelligence will help COVID-19 vaccine distribution

By Brian T. Horowitz

While vaccine makers have delivered some good news on a potential COVID-19 vaccine, a key challenge will be how to distribute the vaccine effectively. GIS mapping software and location intelligence will play a key role in this effort, experts say. Here's how one Minnesota county has been preparing for COVID-19 vaccine distribution by testing location intelligence technology during this fall’s flu vaccine rollout.

Covaxx inks supply deals worth $2.8B in lead-up to coronavirus vaccine midstage trials

By Kyle Blankenship

While some of the leading players in the race for a COVID-19 vaccine are racing toward the finish line, a range of smaller challengers is still hoping to carve out a market niche in the coming months. One of those, New York's Covaxx, is rolling out its first swath of supply deals—and touting its shot's logistics advantage.

Ascension earnings bolstered by increased joint venture revenue, COVID-19 relief