Infectious disease
“Although a 31% improvement doesn’t seem like a knockout 100%, it is a very important proof of concept,” said Anthony S. Fauci, director of NIAID. “What it has proven is that a drug can block this virus. This will be the standard of care.”
Recent reports revealed that the infection rates between adults and children were similar, but men are more likely to exhibit severe symptoms. The report also highlights the importance of contact tracing to help mitigate infection rates.
Gilead announced topline results from the open-label, Phase III SIMPLE trial looking at 5-day and 10-day dosing of the drug in hospitalized patients with severe disease. It also reported positive data from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ trial of the drug in COVID-19.
Pfizer and Germany-based BioNTech are collaborating on a messenger RNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Please check out the biopharma industry coronavirus (COVID-19) stories that are trending for April 29, 2020.
As more is discovered about the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2, an unexpected cause of death has been identified—heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clots. And this, in particular, appears to be the cause of death in some younger patients under the age of 50.
Please check out the biopharma industry coronavirus (COVID-19) stories that are trending for April 28, 2020.
With emergency approval, the Oxford University researchers believe they could have a few million doses of the vaccine available by September if it is proven effective.
Many of the tests that are available are giving false-positives, which means that some people who have not been exposed to COVID-19 are under the impression they have been.
Researchers in New York are seeking to determine if the active ingredient in an over-the-counter heartburn medication will have any impact on the disease.
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