In the news this week, GSK agrees to support NOVAVAX vaccine production to meet UK targets. In other news, Amgen Inc. confirms its agreement to acquire Rodeo Therapeutics, and COVID-19 vaccine production is boosted by expansions in production with BioNtech and Pfizer. 

GSK SUPPORTS NOVAVAX COVID 19 VACCINE MANUFACTURING – In collaboration with NOVAVAX and the UK’s Vaccines Task Force, GSK has agreed to support the manufacturing of up to 60 million COVID-19 vaccines. The recent partnership could increase production capacity and meet the April 15 deadline to offer a first dose to all over 50’s. 

AMGEN TO ACQUIRE RODEO THERAPEUTICS – Under a new agreement, Amgen Inc. will acquire Rodeo Therapeutics Corporation. The strategic move by Amgen seeks to collaborate with Rodeo’s enzyme programme (15-PGDH) to develop ‘first-in-class’ therapeutics alongside Amgen’s inflammation research. Any outstanding shares of Rodeo will be acquired by Amgen in exchange for an upfront payment of $55 million. 

2021 VACCINE TARGET BOOSTED BY BIONTECH-PFIZER – With further manufacturing capacity, expansion BioNTech and Pfizer could deliver 2.5 billion COVID-19 doses by 2022. The recent addition of BioNTech’s latest facility in Marburg, Germany, has resulted in expansion of the manufacturing and supply network to accelerate commercial production. 

R&D
IBM unveils next steps in AI technology with quantum computer

Clinical
First cell-based gene therapy approved for Adult Multiple Myeloma by FDA

Manufacturing 
Human error costs J&J 15 million COVID-19 vaccines

That’s all for now. See you next week!

Charlotte Di Salvo, Junior Medical Writer
Proventa International