BARDA awards $354M contract to Phlow Corp. to manufacture generic meds, pharm ingredients The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has awarded a $354 million, four-year contract to Phlow Corp. (Richmond, VA), a new company, to manufacture generic medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients needed to treat COVID-19. Currently, most of these ingredients … [Read more...]

Moderna reports positive data on early-stage coronavirus vaccine trial Moderna’s (Massachusetts) coronavirus vaccine produced COVID-19 antibodies in all 45 participants in an early-stage human trial. Each participant received a 25, 100 or 250 microgram dose, with 15 people in each dose group. Participants received two doses of the potential vaccine via intramuscular … [Read more...]

NIH, Oxford vaccine appears to provide protection against COVID-19 in monkeys Researchers from the NIH and the University of Oxford have a produced a vaccine that appears to protect animals from developing pneumonia or an immune-enhanced disease when it was given to rhesus macaque monkeys to fight COVID-19. The animals who had been given the vaccine and were then exposed to … [Read more...]

New $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill introduced in U.S. House Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled their latest coronavirus relief bill this week, a $3 trillion, 1,800-page package. A vote is expected this week on it. If it passes the House, it will face roadblocks in the Senate. “I’m in discussion, we all are with the administration, if we reach a … [Read more...]

NIH director says several vaccines likely needed to combat coronavirus NIH Director Francis Collins said several vaccines will likely be needed to combat the coronavirus and immunize groups of people in America and abroad. The first people to get a vaccine will likely be frontline healthcare workers and those with chronic conditions that put them at greater risk from the … [Read more...]

Three top White House officials began quarantine after two staff members test positive Three top White House officials have begun their quarantine after two administration staff members tested positive for the coronavirus. Among those who will be sequestered for two weeks is Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert. So will Dr. Robert Redfield, the … [Read more...]

CDC, Trump administration differ on reopening plans The CDC guidance for reopening includes sections for childcare programs, schools and day camps, churches and other communities of faith, employers with vulnerable workers, restaurants and bars, and mass transit administrators. It recommends using disposable dishes and utensils at restaurants, closing every other row of … [Read more...]

Minnesota needs up to 4,000 more workers to track COVID-19 The state of Minnesota might need 4,000 more workers to identify and isolate the rising number of COVID-19 infections and their contacts. Contact tracers are a vital part of the test, trace and isolate strategy embraced to control the spread of the virus. “We are going to need to dramatically build up our capacity,” … [Read more...]

New genetic analysis shows coronavirus quickly spread worldwide late last year A new genetic analysis of the virus that causes COVID-19 taken from more than 7,600 patients around the world shows it has been circulating in people since late last year. Researchers in Britain looked at mutations in the virus and found evidence of quick spread, but no evidence the virus is … [Read more...]