Sean Whooley

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are touting a computational model that could prevent microparticle clogging during injections. Microparticles, which are about the size of a grain of sand, can be difficult to inject if they get clogged in a typical syringe. The research team at MIT developed this new model that determines…

Emergent BioSolutions announced a five-year manufacturing agreement with Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE:JNJ) Janssen Pharmaceuticals for the parent company’s SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate. Gaithersburg, Md.-based Emergent is set to provide contract development and manufacturing services to produce Johnson & Johnson’s Ad26.COV2-S vaccine candidate at scale over five years, with the deal valued at approximately $480 million for…

The U.S. Health and Human Services Dept. and Defense Dept. announced a joint agreement with Novavax  (NSDQ:NVAX) worth $1.6 billion to scale the manufacturing of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Gaithersburg, Md.-based Novavax’s commercial-scale manufacturing is expected to produce 100 million doses of the investigational vaccine that would become available for use in clinical trials or,…

A new study by West Health and Gallup revealed that Americans are concerned with potential negative developments resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 90% of the 1,016 U.S. adults surveyed between May 11, 2020, and May 22, 2020, said they are “very” (55%) or “somewhat” (33%) concerned that the pharmaceutical industry will leverage the ongoing…

The U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Dept. of Defense (DoD) announced a joint effort to increase manufacturing for vials earmarked for COVID-19-related drugs and vaccines. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), as part of HHS, collaborated with DoD to provide funding for U.S.-based companies Corning Inc. and SiO2 Materials…

Canada reportedly signed a contract to purchase 37 million syringes from Becton Dickinson (NYSE:BDX) in preparation for a potential COVID-19 vaccine. A report in The Record revealed that Public Services & Procurement Minister Anita Anand said the country made a purchase order from the Canadian branch of BD in an effort to make sure Canada is ready for…

Phlow announced today that it received $354 million in U.S. government funding to manufacture essential medicines at risk of shortage, including those involved in the COVID-19 pandemic response. Richmond, Va.–based Phlow’s manufacturing is being funded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)…

Jefferies Financial Group announced today that it is the first private-sector company to support a newly established public-private consortium launched by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS). HHS launched the program last week, announcing that it joined with ApiJect Systems America to create a high-volume “surge” of drug packaging solution in the…

Clariant Plastics & Coatings Healthcare Polymer Solutions announced that it is adding an oxygen-scavenging additive masterbatch to its Mevopur line of materials and services for pharmaceutical packaging and medical devices. The Mevopur ProTect is designed to limit oxygen degradation of drugs and neutraceuticals that are stored in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, even in a transparent…

Verde Environmental Technologies announced that it launched four new retail products with its Deterra system in compliance with New Jersey’s “Charlie’s Law” that requires every pharmacy practice site in the state to provide effective options for consumers to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications. The law requires pharmacies to carry effective drug disposal methods…