Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) announced that its COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid failed to reach statistical significance in reducing risk after patients were exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The primary endpoint of the Phase 2/3 EPIC-PEP (Evaluation of Protease Inhibition for COVID-19 in Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) study was to reduce the risk of confirmed and symptomatic COVID-19 in adults after…
Mutated COVID-19 variant C.1.2 elicits concern
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…
China rebuffs WHO’s plan to continue investigating origins of COVID-19
The possibility that SARS-CoV-2 resulted from a laboratory accident has gained a degree of plausibility among several world leaders. But China has rejected calls for further investigation into the matter, saying such allegations disregard “common sense,” as Zeng Yixin, vice-minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), said at a press briefing. White House press secretary…
Could the controversial drug ivermectin save lives?
The antiparasitic drug ivermectin holds promise as a COVID-19 treatment, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Therapeutics. The study authors conclude that ivermectin could reduce the risk of COVID-19-related death with moderate-certainty evidence. “Using ivermectin early in the clinical course may reduce numbers progressing to severe disease,” they conclude, adding…
Lilly to prioritize selling antibody cocktail for COVID-19
Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) announced that it had amended purchase agreements with the U.S. government to prioritize using two monoclonal antibodies — bamlanivimab and etesevimab — in tandem. In March, the U.S. government announced that it would stop using bamlanivimab alone, given its reduced efficacy against some SARS-CoV-2 variants. But pairing anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies together can offer more…
Grifols announces mixed Q3 results
Grifols (MCE:GRF and NSDQ:GRFS) posted third-quarter earnings yesterday that came in ahead of analysts’ projections, but its revenue fell short of the consensus forecast. The Barcelona-based manufacturer of blood-plasma products reported a net profit of €485.7 million on revenue of €4.0 billion for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2020. Growth in constant currency was 7.6% compared with…