Based on a preliminary data analysis of its second and newest COVID-19 booster candidate, Moderna Inc. said it plans to ask the U.S. FDA to approve mRNA-1273.214 ahead of potential shipping in late summer 2022. The vaccine contains mRNA-1273 (Spikevax) and a vaccine candidate targeting omicron. New phase II/III results show the candidate hitting all the study’s primary endpoints when compared to Moderna’s original vaccine, mRNA-1273.
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Allovir, Annexon, Apellis, Concert, Eli Lilly, Engrail, GSK, Kazia, Merck, Moderna, Nascent, Newron, Ridgeback, Seres, Sobi.
Given the safety and efficacy data presented June 7 for Novavax Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine, NVX-CoV2373, it came as no surprise when the U.S. FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biologic Products Advisory Committee voted 21-0, with one abstention, to support an emergency use authorization for the vaccine, which is already approved and being used in many other countries, including the EU and Canada.
Even as new waves of COVID-19 cause less direct disruption in the delivery of health care, the ongoing pandemic leaves a dramatically altered landscape for medical devices in its wake. The RBC Global Healthcare Conference revealed trends that will continue to reshape the utilization of medical technology and delivery of health care, while industry leaders drilled down into the details in a focused panel discussion. All agreed: the pandemic catapulted telemedicine and remote monitoring ahead five or more years, a hybrid delivery system with greater fluctuations in volume will emerge, devices that facilitate the movement of care out of the hospital to home or outpatient settings will remain in high demand and patient-centered control of health care will continue to attract additional industries into health care markets.
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Acelyrin, Affibody, Alx, Aurinia, Biogen, Biothera, Incannex, Inmagene, Intercept, Merck, Nicox, Novo Nordisk, Olix, Sorrento, Tranquis.
Although the death toll in the U.S. is nearing 1 million lives lost, signs continue to suggest that an end is in sight for the COVID-19 pandemic, the most disruptive global health crisis in a century. Now, into its third year, those at-risk have numerous options and growing numbers of people have achieved immunity through vaccines and infection.
Shares of Novavax Inc. dropped 19% after briefing documents released ahead of the U.S. FDA’s June 7 advisory committee raised concerns about risks of myocarditis associated with COVID-19 vaccine NVX-CoV2373, though reviewers also noted the vaccine could offer protection against the omicron variant. The stock (NASDAQ:NVAX) closed June 3 at $44.76, down $11.21.