Top Ten most popular articles on Pharmafile.com this week
pharmafile | November 13, 2020 | News story | Medical Communications |
The top ten news stories this week focus on COVID-19 vaccines, with clinical trial participants who received the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine saying it created side effects that felt similar to a “severe hangover”, while the first interim Phase 3 data for Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine was released by the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
In other news, Kate Bingham, the Head of the British Government’s vaccine taskforce, is facing questions over a conflict of interest as a fund run by her private equity firm SV Health Investors is set to receive £49 million in government funding, while Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen are close to a $26 billion deal with local and state governments to end the thousands of lawsuits over these companies’ roles in the opioid crisis.
1. First interim Phase 3 data shows promise for Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine
The first interim Phase 3 data for Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine have been released by the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
2. Novartis’ arthritis therapy shows no efficacy in hospitalised COVID-19 patients
Novartis has revealed that its arthritis drug, theinterleukin-1 beta inhibitor canakinumab, in combination with standard of care (SoC), failed to meet its main goal in the treatment of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and cytokine release syndrome (CRS).
3. Pfizer CEO cashes in shares for $5.6m following strong Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine data
With the news that Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate demonstrated 90% efficacy in a Phase 3 interim analysis, it has been reported that Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla sold 62% of his stock in the company on the same day the results were unveiled.
4. Hotels, gyms and restaurants carry highest COVID-19 spread risk, new study says
Reopening hotels, gyms and restaurants carries the highest risk of spreading coronavirus, according to a new study.
5. Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine side effects feel like a “severe hangover”
Clinical trial participants receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine have said it created side effects that felt similar to a “severe hangover.”
6. Head of UK’s COVID-19 vaccine taskforce faces questions over biotech fund
Kate Bingham, the head of the British Government’s vaccine taskforce, faces scrutiny after it was revealed her venture capital firm has invested in companies developing coronavirus antibody cocktails.
7. AstraZeneca’s Calquence fails to improve survival rates in coronavirus patients
AstraZeneca’s Calquence has failed to improve survival rates and prevent lung failure in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.
8. Head of UK vaccine taskforce grilled over government investment into her private equity firm
Kate Bingham, the Head of the British Government’s vaccine taskforce, is facing further questions over a conflict of interest as a fund run by her private equity firm SV Health Investors is set to receive £49 million in government funding.
9. Johnson & Johnson and three drug distributors close to $26 billion settlement
Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen are close to a $26 billion deal with local and state governments to end the thousands of lawsuits over these companies’ roles in the opioid crisis.
10. FDA grants Emergency Use Authorization to Eli Lilly’s antibody drug to treat COVID-19
The FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Eli Lilly’s antibody drug bamlanivimab for the treatment of COVID-19 patients who are not hospitalised but are at risk of serious illness because of their age or underlying health conditions.
Conor Kavanagh
