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 […]
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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 […]
AstraZeneca puts COVID-19 vaccine trial on hold
AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) announced today that it voluntarily paused the trials for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate after an unexplained illness. The company said in a news release that a standard review process was triggered so an independent committee could review safety data surrounding a single event of an unexplained illness that occurred in the UK Phase III […]
Drug companies agree not to release COVID-19 vaccine until it’s ready
Executives from nine different drug companies today announced a pledge to ensure safety with a potential COVID-19 vaccine. The CEOs of AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN), BioNTech (NSDQ:BNTX), GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), Merck (NYSE:MRK), Moderna (NSDQ:MRNA), Novavax (NSDQ:NVAX), Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and Sanofi (NYSE:SNY), all of whom are developing vaccine candidates, all signed the pledge, which vows to “uphold the integrity of the scientific process” […]
AstraZeneca denies it’s seeking an EUA for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate
AstraZeneca has denied news reports it’s involved in talks with U.S. authorities about an emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The denial comes after recent news reports claiming the Trump administration is eyeing a plan to fast-track the vaccine candidate, AZD1222, before the upcoming Nov. 3 presidential election. “AstraZeneca has not discussed emergency […]
AbbVie gains U.S. nod for $63B Allergan takeover
Pharmaceutical giant AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) has won U.S. antitrust approval for its purchase of Allergan (NYSE:AGN) for $63 billion in cash and stock. The purchase is seen as a hedge against the impending expiration of U.S. patents on AbbVie’s blockbuster drug, Humira. North Chicago-based AbbVie announced the deal in June 2019, but ran up against U.S. […]
Novacyt joins collaboration to boost COVID-19 testing in UK
Novacyt announced today that it is collaborating with AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN), GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) and the University of Cambridge to increase testing in the United Kingdom. Pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and GSK, along with the University of Cambridge, are slated to set up a new testing laboratory at Cambridge’s Anne McLaren lab. The facility will be used for high throughput […]
Pharma stocks fall as Rep. Cummings launches drug pricing investigation
Chairman of the House Oversight Committee Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) launched an investigation today into the drug pricing practices of 12 pharmaceutical companies. A number of companies named in the investigation saw their stock prices fall, including Amgen (NSDQ:AMGN), AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV), AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN), Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) and Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO). A hearing is reportedly set for Jan. 29 and will include patients affected by rising […]