An inexpensive COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) — now authorized in the U.K. — could go on to become the most widely used in the world. It is inexpensive and easy to produce. But a major hurdle that could slow its rollout in the U.K. after yesterday’s approval is the question of how to best […]
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Why AstraZeneca and Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccines have similar data challenges
A vaccine jointly developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) is on the cusp of authorization in the U.K., according to media reports. Meanwhile, health officials in Turkey and Brazil have indicated that a vaccine from the Chinese firm Sinovac is safe and effective. But one factor that could slow the deployment of both vaccines globally is […]
MedTech 100 roundup: Industry peaks again after new vaccine authorization
Recent news in the industry continues to drive its stocks forward, with COVID-19 vaccine developments driving further medtech growth last week. The FDA granted Moderna emergency use authorization for its vaccine candidate on Friday and its rollout to the U.S. is beginning today. Moderna’s vaccine joins the one made by Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech (NSDQ:BNTX), which […]
AstraZeneca to acquire Alexion for $39B
AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ:ALXN), expanding its presence in the rare-disease and immunology drugs space. The acquisition price for Boston-based Alexion is set to total approximately $39 billion, or $175 per share, according to a news release. Get the full story at our sister site, Drug Discovery […]
MedTech 100 roundup: Medtech stocks stagnant over holidays
Following the medtech industry’s rapid rise early in the month, a plateau was inevitable, and that trend continued through the holiday week. MassDevice’s MedTech 100 Index — which includes stocks of the world’s largest medical device companies — finished last week at 98.23 (Nov. 27), marking a 0.2% uptick from the 97.99 points registered at the […]
HHS confirms involvement in presidential transition process
U.S. Health and Human Services Dept. Secretary Alex Azar confirmed that HHS is working with president-elect Joe Biden on a presidential transition. Speaking during a press briefing, Azar said HHS is in contact with the transition team after the General Services Administration formally recognized Biden as the president-elect, having previously sidestepped questions regarding the potential […]
BREAKING: AstraZeneca says its COVID-19 vaccine could be up to 90% effective
AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) announced today that one of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate dosing regimens is 90% effective in preventing the virus. Cambridge, United Kingdom-based AstraZeneca, working in collaboration with Oxford University, found the vaccine to be highly effective in preventing COVID-19 for subjects in the UK and Brazil, with no hospitalizations or severe cases of the disease […]
Report: Oxford chief says there’s ‘small chance’ COVID-19 vaccine is ready by Christmas
The director of the group developing a COVID-19 vaccine candidate at Oxford University says it’s possible that the vaccine could be ready by Christmas. According to a Reuters report, Oxford vaccine trial chief investigator Andrew Pollard said he’s optimistic that the university, which is collaborating with AstraZeneca on the vaccine, will present trial results by the end […]
Report: FDA expanding AstraZeneca vaccine probe
The U.S. FDA is reportedly expanding its probe into a serious illness arising in the COVID-19 vaccine study from AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN). This news, reported by Reuters, follows last week’s statement from U.S. Health and Human Services Dept. Secretary Alex Azar that federal investigators are looking for “answers to important questions,” regarding the safety of patients involved in […]
What are the top COVID-19 vaccine candidates?
As of yesterday, five COVID-19 vaccine candidates had begun Phase 3 clinical trials as they seek to determine the safety and efficacy of their formulas. Researchers worldwide are testing 132 COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including 42 that are in clinical trials on humans and at least 92 in preclinical or animal trials, according to the New […]
Report: AstraZeneca Phase III COVID-19 vaccine remains on hold in U.S.
AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) is reportedly keeping its COVID-19 vaccine trial in the U.S. on hold as questions remain over patient safety. U.S. Health and Human Services Dept. Secretary Alex Azar told CNBC yesterday that federal investigators are looking for “answers to important questions,” regarding the safety of patients involved in the trial operated by the United Kingdom-based company in […]
