First emergency approvals of vaccines and antibody drugs in less than a year are great achievements of modern biotechnology in our battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, but we still have no efficient therapeutics to cure severe COVID-19. Millions of lives remain at risk until we control the pandemic, and what if we will never reach herd immunity? Waiting for others to do the job cannot be the strategy, as well as betting only on vaccines.
Novel COVID antibody enters clinical testing
Latest NewsGerman CORAT Therapeutics GmbH got the greenlight for Phase Ib/II testing of COR-101, an antibody that reduced virus load in the lung by more than 99 % within three days.
A simple change delivers faster study start-up
BackgroundStudy start-up is a chaotic time. There are lots of moving parts. Lots of decisions to make and processes to establish. Lots of room for error. Mistakes can quickly derail a trial – and delays are endemic. That all represents a potential waste of time and resources – just at a moment when speed is of the essence. In many cases, the problem comes down to spreadsheets.
Don’t bet only on vaccines!
Latest NewsFirst emergency approvals of vaccines and antibody drugs in less than a year are great achievements of modern biotechnology in our battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, but we still have no efficient therapeutics to cure severe COVID-19. Millions of lives remain at risk until we control the pandemic, and what if we will never reach herd immunity? Waiting for others to do the job cannot be the strategy, as well as betting only on vaccines.
Market trends and the biopharma evolution
Sponsored PublicationsWith many complex factors affecting a therapeutic candidate’s chances of approval, partnering with a qualified service provider can be the most effective way to produce material for clinical trials. Outsourcing allows you to delay critical capacity decisions until the fate of your molecule is more certain but, how do you ensure this approach results in a successful process that’s delivered within your target timeline?
European biotechs: Such a long wait
OpinionEuropean biotechs have been longly undervalued. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of them took off. They will have to prove their value in a post-COVID era. However, Europe is there.
B.1.1.7 variant associated with higher mortality
Latest NewsThe B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2, which was first identified in the UK, may be associated with an increased risk of death, a Nature study suggests.
Roche in take-over deal with GenMark Diagnostics
Latest NewsRoche to acquire GenMark Diagnostics, Inc., to access platform to test for broad range of pathogens with one patient sample.
Media hype on Denmark’s decision to halt AZD1222 vaccination
Latest NewsWhile media reports suggest AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 jab might have caused blot clots, the EMA didn’t confirm a causal relationship.
Roche Phase III study misses COVID-19 endpoint
Latest NewsVaccine production in Africa: an urgent priority
BackgroundAfrica produces less than 1% of the human vaccines it uses. To effectively respond in time of outbreaks and pandemics, Africa must expand its vaccine development and production capabilities to cater for its growing population. Successfully establishing such an industry at scale is a multifaceted endeavour to create an enabling environment. This article highlights key factors and considerations for establishing local vaccine manufacturing.