April 23, 2021

The California Biotechnology Foundation is committed to keeping you up to date about COVID-19 testing, treatment and prevention advancements. The following resources track what progress has been made as of April 23, 2021. Notable advancements include:

• LabCorp, Ellume and Abbott’s Food and Drug Administration authorized rapid tests for COVID-19 can now be found in pharmacies across the United States and can be purchased without a prescription.
• More than half of California adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, a promising milestone that comes as the state is now inoculating as wide a swath of its residents as possible.
• Moderna is developing a third booster shot for its two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, with the shot becoming available to Americans by the fall.

​Recent News:

• How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?
  AP – April 22, 2021
  Experts don’t know yet because they’re still studying vaccinated people to see when protection might wear off. How well the vaccines work against emerging variants will also determine if, when and how often additional shots might be needed.
• Health officials lean toward resuming Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine — but with a warning
  Washington Post – April 22, 2021
  Federal health authorities are leaning toward recommending that use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine resume, possibly as soon as this weekend.
• COVID-19 antibody treatment center opens in Chula Vista
  San Diego Union Tribune – April 20, 2021
  A Chula Vista facility is now offering an additional option for early treatment for COVID-19 patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms. A new Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Center (MARC) opened at San Ysidro Health, located in the former Chula Vista Fire Station No.5. Treatment is provided at no cost and is available to anyone who is medically eligible regardless of immigration status or health insurance.
• Moderna plans to have third vaccine booster shot ready by fall
  CBS News – April 19, 2021
  COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna will make a third booster shot for its two-dose vaccine available to Americans by the fall, CEO Stéphane Bancel said.  Moderna’s vaccine is more than 90% effective against the coronavirus six months after the second shot, studies show. What remains unclear is how long immunity from the virus lasts.
• CVS, Walgreens begin rolling out over-the-counter COVID-19 tests from Abbott, Ellume and more
  Fierce Biotech – April 19, 2021
  CVS Pharmacy has begun stocking its virtual and in-store shelves nationwide with rapid tests for COVID-19—which can be purchased without a prescription and used by anyone regardless of whether or not they are showing symptoms—including three FDA-authorized diagnostics and sample collection kits produced by LabCorp, Ellume and Abbott.
• 13-year-old in Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine trial who wants to be an epidemiologist: ‘I like to learn everything I can’
  CNBC – April 17, 2021
  Epidemiology is not high on your average teen’s list of hobbies. But it is for Andrew Brandt, a 13-year-old who lives in New Orleans and is enrolled in Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trial for children. “When the pandemic started, it was sad because I did want to help people and I just kind of felt like I really couldn’t do that,” Andrew tells CNBC.
• Half of eligible Californians at least partially vaccinated, state says
  Los Angeles Times – April 16, 2021
  More than half of California adults have now received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, a promising milestone that comes as the state is now inoculating as wide a swath of its residents as possible. To date, 52.2% of Californians 18 and older have been at least partially vaccinated, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• COVID-19 vaccines — minus the needle? Researchers working on capsules, nasal sprays
  Los Angeles Times – April 16, 2021
  With 13 COVID-19 vaccines in use around the world, pharmaceutical companies are exploring second-generation technology that could change how doses are administered and distributed. These vaccines could be taken orally as a capsule that could be swallowed, as a tablet that dissolves under the tongue or as a nasal spray. Such formulations would not require refrigeration, nor would they need healthcare workers to administer them.
• The Race To Keep Antibody Treatments One Step Ahead Of COVID-19 Variants
  Forbes – April 16, 2021
  Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic raged across the country, filling hospitals beyond capacity, biotech companies raced to develop new treatments and vaccines. Antibody therapies have been a key tool in keeping patients out of hospitals, but drug companies are fighting to stay ahead of coronavirus mutations.

Rely on California Biotechnology Foundation to monitor breaking news and provide updates on the latest advancements in COVID-19 diagnostics, vaccines and treatments.

Stay informed on the latest news and trends on the economic and health benefits of this industry by visiting the new CABiotech.org

If you have any questions about informational briefings contact California Biotechnology Foundation Executive Director Patty Cooper at (916)764-2434 or [email protected].