AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) has announced that its long-acting antibody combination Evusheld (tixagevimab and cilgavimab) has received marketing authorization in the European Union.  Formerly known as AZD7442, Evusheld is indicated for treating individuals 12 and older infected with SARS-CoV-2 who are at risk for severe COVID-19. The indication is limited to those weighing at least 40 kg…

AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) has appointed Michel Demaré as the chair-designate of its board. Demaré will replace Leif Johansson, the current chair of the board of AstraZeneca, who plans to retire in April 2023. There will be a managed handover period in the coming months. Demaré joined AstraZeneca’s board of directors in September 2019 as an independent…

A new congressional report concluded that Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE:EBS) attempted to hide evidence related to quality problems before informing the FDA that 15 million COVID-19 vaccines were contaminated. Prepared for Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and James E. Clyburn (D-SC), the report from the House and the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis scrutinizes the quality controls in…

A number of developing nations have refused tens of millions of doses of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccines, according to a report from Reuters. The countries had received doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the COVAX initiative, a global project that focuses on ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. COVAX has distributed 1.4 billion shots to 144 nations…

First approved in 2006 as an asthma treatment, AstraZeneca’s (LON:AZN) Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) has also won an indication related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Now, FDA has approved the first generic of Symbicort for both indications. Viatris (Nasdaq:VTRS) partnered with Kindeva Drug Delivery (St. Paul, Minnesota) to manufacture the generic version. Last week, the companies…

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…

After facing months of setbacks concerning its contract production of COVID-19 vaccine, Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE:EBS) is making progress. Most recently, the FDA announced that “certain lots” of AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) COVID-19 vaccine drug substance produced in a facility in Baltimore are acceptable for export. Last week, the FDA gave the company permission to restart Johnson &…

The rate of vaccination in the U.S. continues to tick upward. On Aug. 1, healthcare workers administered 816,203 doses, marking one of the highest totals in recent weeks. Vaccination rates have increased about 24% in the past week, according to an estimate from UBS. If the trend holds, the daily vaccination rate could surpass one…

The Baltimore-based company Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE:EBS) is the subject of at least four lawsuits asking for refunds and pushing for change in the company’s executive ranks. Some of the lawsuits targeting Emergent accuse the company of securities fraud and insider trading. Emergent has denied the allegations. “Our executives strictly follow the law and our own…

Now that we have passed the year’s midway mark, pharma continues to be in a unique position. While COVID-19 gave the industry an opportunity for a reputational reset in 2020, the pandemic is now a net positive for the industry, according to the recent Moody’s report, “Solid demand, lift from COVID-19 products continue to drive…