Infectious disease
As the number of diagnosed cases of COVID-19 continue to increase across the globe and more and more governments are urging citizens to self-quarantine, the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry continues to work toward the development of a vaccine and therapies for the respiratory infection that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization last week. Here’s a biopharma industry overview as of late March 16.
Numerous organizations are cancelling or postponing activities that involve large groups of people.
The Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust are contributing up to $50 million each, with the Mastercard Impact Fund offering up to $25 million for initial projects.
According to reports, 15 employees who attended a management meeting in Boston have now tested positive for the virus.
According to a company statement, the three employees are doing well and “improving under the care of their healthcare providers.”
Biopharma companies, government regulatory and health agencies and academic centers are stepping forward and working to test or develop vaccines and therapeutics for the disease.
Every week there are numerous scientific studies published. Here’s a look at some of the more interesting ones.
As the coronavirus outbreak that causes COVID-19 escalates, biopharma companies and government agents are working quickly to develop and test a vaccine, although most estimates are it will take 12 to 18 months before it could get to market.
The mandatory work-from-home policy will remain in effect through March 31, but could be extended depending on circumstances.
Multiple pharma conferences set to take place in the United States this month will proceed as planned, but event organizers are urging precaution against the coronavirus.
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