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 […]

The FDA has approved Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Zeposia (ozanimod) for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). A Marketing Authorization Application for Zeposia in the European Union is currently under review with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), with a regulatory decision expected in the first half of 2020. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is […]

Pfizer has announced the completion of a $1.25 billion, ten-year “sustainability” bond, Pfizer’s first-ever sustainability bond and a first for a biopharmaceutical company. Proceeds from the bond, paying 2.625 percent interest semi-annually, will help manage the company’s environmental impact and support increased patient access to Pfizer’s medicines and vaccines, especially among underserved populations, and strengthen […]

The Biogen Foundation has committed $10 million to support global response efforts and communities around the world impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Biogen Foundation supports access to science education and to essential human services for children and their families in the communities in which Biogen facilities are located. The funds will be used to […]

Novartis has announced that Sandoz, its generics and biosimilars division, has started to ship a consignment of 30 million doses of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets to HHS for immediate use in controlled clinical studies. The study will evaluate the medicine’s effectiveness in people who have tested positive for COVID-19. The shipment is part of the previously […]

A consortium of life sciences companies will collaborate with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate the development, manufacture and delivery of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for COVID-19 in response to the pandemic. Companies participating in the collaboration include: BD, bioMérieux, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, […]

Sanofi and Regeneron have begun a second Phase 2/3 trial for Kevzara (sarilumab) in COVID-19 patients in Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Canada and Russia following initiation of the first trial in the US. Sanofi is leading the trials outside the US, with Regeneron leading the US trials. Jointly developed by Sanofi and Regeneron under a […]