While the number of biopharma’s nonprofit deals and grants, as well as their values, have dropped by more than 20% compared with last year, almost 71% of the combined funds are targeting COVID-19 therapeutics, vaccines and other pandemic efforts.
PERTH, Australia – Australia will be phasing out the Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine by October and will rely on Pfizer Inc./Biontech SE and Moderna Inc. vaccines to ramp up lagging vaccination rates.
Pattern Computer Inc.'s test for SARS-CoV-2 infection gives new meaning to rapid results. Taking 15 seconds from start to result, the test offers balanced accuracy of better than 96%, according to the company. The test is also not dependent on timing, unlike current antibody tests, and takes less time than point-of-care PCR tests. Its light-based system creates patterns based on a saliva sample, which is then matched against a previously developed model.
Regulatory snapshots, including global submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Diabetomics, Oticon Medical, Otolith Labs, Sorrento Therapeutics.
Med-tech happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Biomerica, Canon Medical Systems, Cmic, Cutiss, Draper, Haven Testing, Immudex, Invivoscribe, Johnson & Johnson, Lokavant, Medtronic, Merck, Novarad, Nucleai, Omron Healthcare, Penumbra, Rapid AI, Surfacide, United Therapeutics.
Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp. released results from a phase III trial of its enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine that showed efficacy of 100% against a virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease and continues to emerge on a regular basis across Asia.
PERTH, Australia – Starpharma Holdings Ltd. is pausing sales of its antiviral nasal spray, Viraleze (SPL-7013), in the U.K. after its retail partner, Lloydspharmacy, received a letter from the U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) related to promotional claims made about the antiviral with respect to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19.