Pharmafile.com’s weekly COVID-19 news round-up
pharmafile | June 16, 2021 | News story | Research and Development |Â Â Â
The past week has seen quite a mixed bag when it comes to COVID-19 news, an AstraZeneca antibody has failed to prevent COVID deaths in exposed patients, an EMA official recommended avoiding the AstraZeneca vaccine but then withdrew the advice, and Germany has demanded that J&J replace contaminated vaccine doses. On the positive side of things, Boris Johnson announced at the G7 summit a pledge to donate 100 million surplus vaccines to poorer countries, and an experimental COVID antibody treatment was successful in its Phase III trial.
1. G7: UK to donate 100 million surplus vaccine doses – Published 11/06/2021
Boris Johnson has announced at the G7 meeting in Cornwall that the UK will donate over 100 million surplus doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poorer countries.
2. Germany demands that J&J replace contaminated vaccine doses – Published 14/06/21
Germany’s health ministry has demanded that J&J must deliver 6.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Germany in July to make up for the shortfall expected in June.
3. Experimental COVID antibody treatment successful in trials – Published – 14/06/21
Celltrion has announced positive top-line data for its experimental antibody COVID-19 treatment, with Phase III trials finding it safe and effective, reducing treatment periods by up to five days.
4. AstraZeneca antibody fails to prevent COVID in exposed patients – Published 15/06/21
AstraZeneca has failed to reach the primary endpoint in their Storm Chaser trial, assessing the safety and efficacy of AZD7442, a long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination, for the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19 in participants recently exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
5. EMA official recommends avoiding AstraZeneca vaccine – Published 14/06/21
A senior executive at the EMA recommended abandoning the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the EU where alternatives are available.
