Although COVID-19 is still dictating how things are done in the U.S. and throughout the world, the FDA looked beyond the pandemic in an update to its guidance on conducting clinical trials of medical products during the public health emergency.
Higher antibody titer levels were found in participants receiving two doses of Moderna Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine compared to those receiving the Pfizer Inc.-Biontech SE vaccine, according to a research letter published in JAMA.
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Advaccine, Anixa, Diffusion, Epygenix, Inovio, Junshi, Lantern, Octapharma, Polaryx, Poseida, Therapeutic Solutions, UCB.
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Bayer, Bone, Daiichi, Janssen, Kinnov, Lysogene, Nrx, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Uniqure.
Regulatory snapshots, including global submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Impedimed, Phase Scientific, Vapotherm, Visby Medical.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) heard a safety update on COVID-19 vaccines, took up the matter of booster shots, and voted on whether to recommend the vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and Biontech SE for people 16 and older, now that it’s fully licensed. Under an emergency use authorization, the vaccine can be given to people 12-15 years old.
New data from Nrx Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s phase IIb/III trial for treating acute respiratory failure due to critical COVID-19 showed that Zyesami (aviptadil) improved the lung’s ability to transmit oxygen within a day of administration. The respiratory distress ratio’s average difference between those participants receiving aviptadil and placebo was clinically meaningful and statistically significant. The benefit was found across participants, all baseline severities and hospitals of all types.
Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Immunobrain, Insilico, Noxopharm, Satellos, Sorrento, Tilt, Tumorgen.