Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech have disclosed additional details of their collaboration, previously announced on March 17, to jointly develop a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The effort has the potential to supply millions of vaccine doses by the end of 2020, subject to the technical success of the development program and approval by regulatory authorities, and then […]

The NIH and the Foundation for the NIH (FNIH) are bringing more than a dozen leading biopharmaceutical companies together with governmental agencies to coordinate the research response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The planned Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) partnership will develop a framework for prioritizing vaccine and drug candidates, streamlining clinical trials, coordinating […]

Sanofi and California-based Luminostics have signed an agreement to evaluate a collaboration on a unique self-test for COVID-19. Luminostics would contribute its proprietary technology for consumer-diagnostics for COVID-19 testing while Sanofi would bring its clinical research testing experience and capabilities. The goal of the collaboration is to provide a consumer-based test that can detect the […]

Arrakis Therapeutics has entered into a strategic collaboration and license agreement with Roche for the discovery of RNA-targeted small molecule (rSM) drugs against a broad set of targets across all of Roche’s research and development areas. Under the terms of the agreement, Arrakis will lead discovery and research activities for each target to a defined […]

There are currently no specific treatments for COVID-19. Researchers across the world, including AstraZeneca, are investigating preventative approaches and treatment options for COVID-19, including monoclonal antibodies, vaccines and antivirals, as well as investigating the repurposing of existing drugs to treat the infection. At AstraZeneca, over 50 virology, protein engineering, clinical and bioprocess experts are working […]

Sanofi and GSK plan to enter into a collaboration to develop an adjuvanted vaccine for COVID-19, using innovative technology from both companies. Sanofi will contribute its S-protein COVID-19 antigen, which is based on recombinant DNA technology. This technology has produced an exact genetic match to proteins found on the surface of the virus, and the […]

Private equity firm Blackstone and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals have entered into a broad strategic collaboration under which Blackstone will provide up to $2 billion to support Alnylam’s advancement of innovative RNA interference (RNAi) medicines that have the potential to address a range of debilitating diseases. The deal is anchored by Blackstone’s purchase of 50 percent of […]

Sanofi has been a pioneer in continuous biologics processing with breakthroughs in process development that have demonstrated remarkable levels of process intensification over traditional manufacturing processes. This has enabled dramatic reduction in process scale and opened a window for flexible single use technologies and the commercialization of the first Integrated Continuous Biomanufacturing (ICB) facility. The […]

In 2015, Pfizer launched “Project Indigo” to relocate clinical manufacturing capabilities from Chesterfield, Missouri, to the new 175,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art Andover Clinical Manufacturing Facility (ACMF) on the existing Pfizer Andover campus. The move was made to expand clinical biological drug substance manufacturing capacity from 14 to 21 campaigns per year, while vertically integrating the […]

Beginning in January 2020, Johnson & Johnson has been working in collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and scientists at multiple academic institutions to research potential COVID-19 vaccine candidates. Based on this work, J&J has identified a lead vaccine candidate (with two back-ups), which will progress into the first manufacturing steps. Under an accelerated […]