The National Institutes of Health today announced six new contracts worth $98.35 million for COVID-19 testing approaches to improve sample collection, processing and results. NIH awarded the contracts in collaboration with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) as part of the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative. They cover innovations including integration with […]
U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
HHS gives Vaxxas $22M to support vaccine patch tech
Vaxxas announced today that it has received a $22 million award from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) at U.S. HHS to support a clinical study involving the company’s vaccine-delivery patch. The money will mostly pay for a Phase 1 clinical study in which Vaxxas’ high-density micro-array patch (HD-MAP) delivering pandemic influenza vaccine to […]
Feds target Medtronic in ventilator antitrust investigation
Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) is under investigation by the federal government for allegedly limiting competition in the ventilator business, the company acknowledged late yesterday. The civil antitrust probe grew out of complaints about device shortages during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The Journal cited “people familiar with the matter” as saying […]
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 […]
J&J launches fourth large-scale COVID-19 vaccine trial
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has begun enrollment of adult volunteers for a fourth Phase 3 clinical trial of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The National Institutes of Health announced today that J&J’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals COVID-19 vaccine candidate (JNJ-78436725) has begun the Phase 3 trial to evaluate if it can prevent symptomatic COVID-19 after a single dose regimen. Up […]
BARDA awards $12.9M to Ortho Clinical for coronavirus antigen test
Ortho Clinical Diagnostics announced that it received a nearly $12.9 million award from BARDA to support the development of its COVID-19 antigen test. Raritan, N.J.-based Ortho Clinical Diagnostics and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) are working together under a new contract as part of the government’s ongoing COVID-19 medical countermeasure development efforts, according […]
These researchers adapted a stroke patient device for COVID-19
Designed to detect speech and swallowing problems, the device has found a new use in tracking cough frequency to alert healthcare providers that frontline workers may need to be tested for SARS-COV-2. Researchers in Chicago have adapted a flexible patch they developed to monitor stroke patients for swallowing trouble to help detect symptoms of COVID-19. […]
Merck, IAVI work to develop COVID-19 vaccine
Merck (NYSE:MRK) and IAVI announced today that they are collaborating to develop an investigational vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 for preventing COVID-19. The vaccine candidate is slated to use the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) technology used as the basis for Merck’s Ervebo Ebola Zaire virus vaccine, which was the first such vaccine to be approved for use in humans, […]
Phlow lands $354m government contract for COVID-19 medications
Phlow announced today that it received $354 million in U.S. government funding to manufacture essential medicines at risk of shortage, including those involved in the COVID-19 pandemic response. Richmond, Va.-based Phlow’s manufacturing is being funded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) […]
Beckman Coulter awarded expanded contract for sepsis algorithm
Beckman Coulter announced that it received an expanded partnership with BARDA for its expanding COVID-19 medical countermeasure portfolio. BARDA (the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, part of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services) awarded Beckman Coulter the partnership in collaboration with Dascena, Inc. The collaboration will offer advanced research and development toward […]
Hologic to launch new COVID-19 diagnostic across U.S.
Hologic (NSDQ:HOLX) announced late this afternoon that it will launch a second high-throughput molecular diagnostic test for the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Investors reacted by sending shares in HOLX up 8.27% in after-hours trading. The Marlborough, Mass.-based company said it aims to produce at least 1 million Aptima tests per week to run on more than 1000 of […]
