This week, pharma begins looking beyond the imminent struggle against Covid-19’s initial challenges to the further horizon, and the dreaded second wave. Vaccine demand in a number of countries is rising in preparation of easing lockdowns, while Gilead’s remdesivir starts trialling in children with the illness. In other news, a cheap steroid has been found to reduce fatalities from Covid-19, and the UK halts all hydroxychloroquine trial recruitment.

VACCINE DEMAND RISES AS COUNTRIES PREPARE FOR SECOND WAVE – Worries of a second wave of Covid-19 sweeping the globe have led to a rush for influenza shots in countries attempting to vaccinate large parts of their population to reduce pressure on health services. While mass immunisation would reduce the number of individuals getting flu this year, doubts have been raised that companies can provide the necessary number in time. 

GILEAD TO TEST REMDESIVIR IN CHILDREN WITH COVID-19 – Gilead’s anti-Covid drug remdesivir will soon start trials in children with moderate to severe Covid-19. The phase 2/3 trial will use 50 patients at over 30 clinical sites. It should be completed by the end of 2020. 

CHEAP STEROID LABELLED ‘MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH’ FOR LOWERING COVID DEATHS – An Oxford University study testing Covid-19 drug candidates has found daily doses of steroid dexamethasone reduces the death rate across the board in patients who required support due to respiratory distress. This drug is the first to show increased survival rates after remdesivir failed in that area. 

In other news: 

R&D
Sarepta and Selecta agree R&D gene therapy deal

Clinical Trials
Two Roche products in Covid and prostate cancer produce mixed results
UK halts hydroxychloroquine trial recruitment

Manufacturing
Emergent begins $75 million expansion to produce viral vectors

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

Joshua Neil, Editor
Proventa International

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