While mRNA vaccines from Moderna (NSDQ:MRNA) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) had 95% efficacy in Phase 3 clinical trials, their effectiveness in the real world has dropped with the rise of the Delta variant.  As a result, breakthrough infections have grown more common in people who have received two doses of mRNA vaccines. Ultimately, full vaccination may require…

Curia, formerly known as AMRI, recently announced that it has completed its acquisition of LakePharma, a biologics drug discovery, clinical research, development and manufacturing organization. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. LakePharma has operations in California, Massachusetts and Texas. The acquisition will enable Albany, N.Y.–based Curia to offer expertise in both large…

Purdue Pharma may have reached a bankruptcy settlement in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in White Plains, New York, but several states intend to press forward by appealing the decision of Judge Robert Drain.  Judge Drain’s decision would direct $4.5 billion over a decade to support measures intended to fight the opioid crisis. “Substantially all of…

Catalent (NYSE:CTLT) has been on something of a spending spree during the pandemic. Looking to bolster its nutraceutical business, the company announced it would acquire Plano, Texas–based Bettera Holdings LLC for $1 billion. Bettera specializes in gummy, soft chew and lozenge products within nutritional supplements. Also this year, Catalent has acquired RheinCell Therapeutics, which develops induced…

The number of daily vaccinations in the U.S. has steadily increased since early June with the rise of the Delta variant. FDA’s decision to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the first to win that status, on August 23 appears to have hastened vaccinations further. Vaccinations have increased by 17% after that decision. In particular, the approval…

As even countries with substantial vaccination rates such as the U.S., U.K. and Israel continue to fight the Delta variant, a new threat appears to have emerged in South Africa. First spotted in South Africa, the C.1.2 variant is potentially more infectious and resistant to antibodies than Delta. Scientists continue to study the variant’s potential…

AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) will require that its American employees be fully vaccinated if they plan to work in its facilities or visit customers. Cambridge, U.K.–based AstraZeneca said the plan would also apply to workers at Alexion Pharmaceuticals (Boston, Mass.). AstraZeneca completed its acquisition of Alexion in July. AstraZeneca employees can seek vaccine exemptions but must obtain a…

Facing the second-largest COVID-19 wave to date, U.S. regulators are mulling providing boosters three months earlier than initially anticipated. People who are fully vaccinated would be eligible for a booster dose five months after receiving the second dose, Biden said, noting that the plan was still tentative. On Aug. 18, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy…

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) has hired McKinsey (New York City) veteran Aamir Malik as executive vice president and chief business innovation officer. Malik had worked at the consulting giant for 24 years. He supported New York–based McKinsey’s healthcare business in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America and most recently worked as the managing partner…

The volume of audio files that potentially contain valuable data on adverse events (AEs) has exploded, outpacing the pace pharmacovigilance (PV) operations originally anticipated in the COVID era. Healthcare company call centers, which in some instances saw up to 75% of adverse drug reaction (ADR) notifications reported through this channel, are challenged to handle this drastic…