Weekly News Round-Up – 3/4/20


With the coronavirus showing no sign of letting up for the next few months at least, we won’t either, bringing you the most up-to-date news on efforts to combat Covid-19 from around the world. This week: Gilead begins remdesivir trials in the UK, health secretary Matt Hancock announces plans to test 100,000 individuals a day shortly, and J&J sign a $1 billion deal with the U.S. government for doses of its in-development vaccine in:
The Round-up Coronavirus Special
(Part 3 of forever)
GILEAD COMMENCES REMDESIVIR TRIALS IN U.K. – Gilead’s antiviral drug remdesivir has commenced testing in the U.K. in a bid to counter Covid-19. The drug is thought to be the best way to treat the coronavirus until a vaccine is created, but is currently unproven. Findings will be seen in the coming weeks.
U.K. HEALTH SECRETARY ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 100,000 COVID-19 TESTS A DAY – Matt Hancock, the UK’s health secretary, has announced plans to increase coronavirus testing to around 100,000 patients a day as part of a five-part plan to reach the government’s testing target.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON SIGNS $1 BILLION DEAL WITH U.S. GOVERNMENT TO COMBAT COVID – The U.S. government has agreed a $1 billion deal with J&J to procure doses of its in-development vaccine, set to start trials in September 2020 with approval set for 2021. This comes in the same week that Moderna announced a deal with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its vaccine. This will see the government take over manufacture of the candidate so the company can focus further on trials.
In other news:
R&D
Exscientia using AI to screen 15,000 drugs for Covid-19 cure
Clinical Trials
Stem cell therapies show potential for treating Covid-19
Manufacturing
All ranitidine drugs pulled from market over safety concerns
That’s all for now. See you next week!
Joshua Neil, Editor
Proventa International
To ensure you remain up-to-date on the latest in clinical development, sign up for Proventa International’s online Clinical Operations, Supply Chain & Pharmacovigilance Strategy Meeting 2020.

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