Top Ten most popular articles on Pharmafile.com this week
pharmafile | August 14, 2020 | News story | Medical Communications | COVID-19, coronavirus, pandemic
The top 10 news stories this week once again focus on coronavirus treatments and vaccines, as President Putin announced that Russia has granted regulatory approval for a COVID-19 vaccine while researchers at the University of Oxford have said that hydroxychloroquine could be beneficial to coronavirus patients, despite a general lack of evidence for its effectiveness.
In other news, Genentech’s Evrysdi (risdiplam) has secured FDA approval for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy and Bristol Myers Squibb has announced positive data from two Phase 3 clinical trials of its drug Opdivo.
1. AstraZeneca seals manufacturing deal to deliver COVID-19 vaccine in China
AstraZeneca has signed its first deal in China to produce and deliver its vaccine candidate against COVID-19 in the country, partnering up with manufacturing firm Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products.
2. Researchers at the University of Oxford have said hydroxychloroquine could still be a viable COVID-19 treatment
Researchers at the University of Oxford have said that hydroxychloroquine could be beneficial to COVID-19 patients, despite a general lack of evidence for its effectiveness.
3. Coronavirus fake news has led to hundreds of deaths, according to a new study
At least 800 people have died around the world from COVID-19 misinformation in the first three months of 2020, according to researchers.
4. Russia becomes world’s first country to grant regulatory approval for a coronavirus vaccine
President Putin has announced that Russia is the first country to grant regulatory approval for a COVID-19 vaccine.
5. Over 100 Americans have died after taking hydroxychloroquine in the first half of 2020
More than 100 Americans have died after taking the drug hydroxychloroquine to treat or prevent coronavirus.
6. Over a third of Americans say they won’t take a coronavirus vaccine
35% of Americans say they have no plans to take a COVID-19 vaccine, according to new polling.
7. AstraZeneca’s Fasenra has strong Phase 3 showing in severe eosinophilic asthma
AstraZeneca took the opportunity at the American Thoracic Society 2020 Virtual International Conference to unveil positive new Phase 3b data on the efficacy of Fasenra (benralizumab) in the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma.
8. Arthritis drug Abatacept could be used to treat type 1 diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes could see their lives extended by the arthritis drug Abatacept, new study finds.
9. Genentech’s Evrysdi becomes first FDA-approved oral treatment for spinal muscular atrophy
Genentech’s Evrysdi (risdiplam) has secured FDA approval for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), making it the first oral therapy available for the rare hereditary genetic condition in US and the third overall to be approved for the disease.
10. Bristol Myers Squibb announces positive results from Opdivo clinical trials
Bristol Myers Squibb has announced positive data from two Phase 3 clinical trials of its drug Opdivo.
Conor Kavanagh
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