AstraZeneca signs new supply deals as coronavirus vaccine data nears

The drugmaker agreed to provide 400 million doses to four European countries as part of preparations to supply the world with the coronavirus vaccine it licensed from the University of Oxford.

By Ben Fidler • June 15, 2020

CureVac gets German backing for coronavirus vaccine, but says it's independent

An investment of 300 million Euros gives the German government a 23% stake in CureVac, but won't grant the country exclusive national rights to a vaccine nearing human testing.

By Jonathan Gardner • June 15, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from BioPharma Dive

Looming patent expiries this decade and intensifying competition from China are forcing drugmakers to adapt, while new opportunities open up in oncology and in neuroscience.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Fujifilm to invest nearly $1B in Denmark biologics plant

The Japanese contract manufacturer will double capacity at a biologics plant formerly owned by Biogen.

By Kristin Jensen • June 10, 2020

AbbVie hands Genmab $750M in latest bid to grow cancer drug business

Best known for Humira, AbbVie has made a concerted effort to build its cancer drugs business, with mixed results. The Genmab alliance could take the Illinois drugmaker in a new direction.

By Ben Fidler • June 10, 2020

Drug regulators in agreement on coronavirus vaccine trials, FDA official says

Health agencies will be under pressure to clear promising vaccines quickly. But Peter Marks, a top FDA official, said regulators will still want to see large trials to provide proof of safety.

By Jonathan Gardner , Ben Fidler • June 9, 2020

China's Innovent buys rights to Roche cancer technology

The deal covers research into cell therapies and bispecific antibodies, and grants Roche an option to develop any resulting product outside of China.

By Jonathan Gardner • June 9, 2020

AstraZeneca, already a leader in coronavirus vaccine race, steps up antibody drug work

The British drugmaker has licensed six potential COVID-19 antibodies from Vanderbilt, and could start testing the first of them by early August.

By Ben Fidler • June 9, 2020

Coronavirus vaccines are rolling out quickly. Here's where the pipeline stands.

Fuller data in hand, Pfizer and BioNTech plan to soon seek full U.S. approval for their vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds. 

By Ned Pagliarulo, Jonathan Gardner, Shoshana Dubnow, Ben Fidler, Nami Sumida • Updated Nov. 24, 2021

Repurposing pharma's field force in a time of 'business unusual'

Because the future is uncertain, companies don't have the luxury of designing structural changes in advance, and instead must focus on having the right capabilities, skillsets and talent in place.

By Jude Konzelmann. Co-authors: Chris Morgan & Mike Jakymiw • June 9, 2020

AstraZeneca reaches deals with health charities to supply coronavirus vaccine worldwide

A separate agreement with India's Serum Institute aims to provide 1 billion doses of the experimental vaccine to low- and middle-income countries.

By Jonathan Gardner • June 4, 2020

'Warp Speed' push for coronavirus vaccine accelerates as White House reportedly narrows field

The U.S. government aims to have a vaccine ready by the end of this year or early next, and appears to be counting on large drugmakers like J&J, Pfizer and Merck to deliver on that highly ambitious goal.

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 4, 2020

AstraZeneca puts $55M into Accent as pharmas continue push to drug RNA

The deal follows similar pacts involving Merck, Biogen, Roche and others, reflecting growing interest by pharmaceutical companies in the emerging field. 

By Ben Fidler • June 4, 2020

Novartis multiple sclerosis drug review delayed by FDA

The Swiss drugmaker now expects a decision on approval by September of ofatumumab, an important drug in its plans to compete with rival Roche. 

By Kristin Jensen • June 3, 2020

Pfizer business head details new $500M project for investing in public biotechs

The Pfizer Breakthrough Growth Initiative plans to back about seven to 10 biotechs. Its success will be judged by the number of drugs it helps get to market, the project's leader, Doug Giordano, told BioPharma Dive.

By Jacob Bell • June 3, 2020

Bristol Myers follows Zeposia launch with positive data from key study

The drugmaker's new pill would be the only drug in its class to treat ulcerative colitis, but could face competition from Pfizer, AbbVie and Gilead.

By Jonathan Gardner • June 2, 2020

Eli Lilly starts first-ever trial of a COVID-19 antibody drug, speeding past rivals

The Indianapolis pharma has quickly moved into human tests of an antibody it's developing with private biotech AbCellera. Initial data are expected before July.

By Ben Fidler • June 1, 2020

Regeneron expands Intellia gene editing deal as its post-Sanofi future emerges

Regeneron and Intellia will grow their alliance and work on hemophilia, an already competitive space that includes several experimental gene therapies. 

By Jonathan Gardner • June 1, 2020

How Merck seeks to catch up in the coronavirus drug race

The pharmaceutical giant just became a major player in the global push to develop medicines against COVID-19. Daria Hazuda, vice president of infectious disease discovery, spoke with BioPharma Dive about its plans. 

By Ben Fidler • June 1, 2020

AstraZeneca bid to expand lung cancer drug's use boosted by trial data

The ADAURA trial — stopped two years ahead of schedule — showed Tagrisso kept early-stage lung cancer patients from relapsing longer than did placebo.

By Jonathan Gardner • Updated May 29, 2020

Facing vial shortage, pharmas explore workarounds for coronavirus vaccines

"There's not enough vials in the world," said AstraZeneca's CEO on Thursday. Procuring enough to hold the billions of vaccine doses needed is yet another headache for coronavirus drugmakers to solve.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 28, 2020

Coronavirus vaccine developers plan to enroll tens of thousands in late-stage tests

As initial studies get underway in small groups of volunteers, companies like Pfizer, AstraZeneca and J&J are preparing for large Phase 3 trials.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 28, 2020

Novartis teams with Mass. Eye & Ear to join coronavirus vaccine chase

The Swiss pharma has become the latest large drugmaker to enter the worldwide race to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, tapping a project developed by gene therapy experts at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital.

By Jonathan Gardner • May 28, 2020

How AI meets medical affairs teams' evolving need for KPIs

Deploying real-time analytics can help pharmaceutical companies define targeted engagement plans and develop insights from field interactions.  

May 28, 2020

With $11B stock sale, Sanofi loosens ties with Regeneron

The French pharma will get a cash windfall by selling most of its 20% stake in Regeneron, spurring speculation as to how it'll spend the money. 

By Jonathan Gardner • Updated May 27, 2020

Merck makes COVID-19 drug plans clear with flurry of deals

The drugmaker, which for months appeared to be watching the pandemic from the sidelines, will advance two coronavirus vaccine candidates, as well as an oral antiviral drug. 

By Ned Pagliarulo , Ben Fidler • May 26, 2020