Coronavirus Update: Remdesivir Fast-Tracked, GSK's Shingrix Hit Hard By Lockdown

Plus J&J Expands Manufacturing Capacity

Results from the first major trial of remdesivir are positive, but fail to show clear mortality benefit - making its forthcoming approval just the first step towards winning the war on COVID-19.

Hahn, White House
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn speaking at the White House coronavirus briefing • Source: The White House

Encouraging trial data from a major placebo-controlled trial of Gilead Sciences Inc.'s remdesivir will be enough for regulators in the US and EU to fast-track its approval, though it is clear the drug is far from a miracle cure for COVID-19.

Results from the ACTT adaptive trial released on 29 April showed that the antiviral drug had a significant effect in...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from COVID-19

Sanofi Bid For Second COPD Approval Hurt By Mixed Itepekimab Data

 
• By 

One Phase III trial hits but a second study misses by a mile.

New Vaccine Framework Avoided Worst-Case Scenario, Analysts Say

 
• By 

The new US FDA vaccine guidelines introduced on 20 May might cause financial woes for Moderna, but overall vaccine makers should not be as impacted as feared.

Arcturus and CSL Take on Pfizer With Longer-Lasting COVID Vaccine

 
• By 

Kostaive is the first self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval from the European Commission and could provide serious competition to Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty and Moderna's Spikevax.

Under-Pressure Moderna Banks $590m To Speed Up Bird Flu Vaccine

 
• By 

A week after a downbeat forecast at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the US mRNA specialist has pocketed another sizeable sum from the US Department of Health and Human Services to accelerate development of an H5N1 mRNA pandemic influenza vaccine.

More from Scrip

AstraZeneca Taps Into China’s R&D Engine With CSPC Alliance

 

After in-licensing a cardiovascular candidate last year, AstraZeneca has signed a strategic drug discovery alliance, which could generate billions of dollars in payments to the Chinese firm.

Executives On The Move: New CMOs At Instil Bio, Nkarta & Catalyst Pharma

Recent moves in the industry include changes at the top at iOnctura and Orca Bio, plus Sutro Biopharma, Tenpoint Therapeutics and Helix BioPharma get new CFOs.

In Brief: Starton Moves Low-Dose Lenalidomide To Phase IIa For Multiple Myeloma

 

Study to add to safety and tolerability data for infused formulation and may help identify optimal dose for future pivotal trial.