June 4, 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 June 4, 2021. Notable advancements include:

• Moderna asked the Food and Drug Administration for full U.S. approval of its COVID-19 vaccine — making it the second drugmaker in the U.S. to seek full approval.
• California has now at least partially vaccinated 70% of its adult residents against COVID-19, a hurdle that is a vital development as the state prepares to fully reopen later this month.
• The National Institutes of Health is starting an early stage clinical trial looking at what happens when an adult who is fully vaccinated with one type of COVID-19 vaccine is boosted with a different shot about three to four months later.

​Recent News:

• NIH scientists say they may have found a promising new oral antiviral drug for COVID-19
  CNBC – June 3, 2021
  Scientists may have found a promising new oral treatment for COVID-19, the National Institutes of Health said, citing a new study. The drug, called TEMPOL, can reduce COVID-19 infections by impairing an enzyme the virus needs to make copies of itself once it’s inside human cells, the NIH said.
• White House prepared to announce next steps in global vaccination effort after months of debate
  CNN – June 2, 2021
  President Joe Biden has finalized his plan to distribute millions of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide after months of deliberation, according to multiple sources familiar with the plans. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted earlier that an announcement was imminent.
• NRx hopes ‘guided missile’ COVID-19 antiviral will get FDA clearance on 2nd attempt
  FieceBiotech – June 2, 2021
  NRx Pharmaceuticals filed for emergency use authorization yesterday with the FDA for aviptadil-acetate, or Zyesami, to be used in COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure. The therapy was found to increase the likelihood of patients being free of respiratory failure at 60 days compared to those with placebo in a phase 2b/3 clinical trial.
• S. begins study testing mix-and-match COVID-19 vaccine booster shots
  CNBC – June 1, 2021
  The NIH said it started a trial looking at what happens when an adult who is fully vaccinated with one type of COVID-19 vaccine, like Pfizer’s, is boosted with a different shot about three to four months later. The trial will include about 150 adults who have been fully vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson, Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, according to the agency.
• Scientists hope they’re closing in on a cure for COVID-19
  PBS – June 1, 2021
  Ridgeback Biotherapeutics worked seven days a week in the spring of 2020 to find a possible treatment for COVID-19 and prepare for the clinical trials necessary to prove its safety and effectiveness. Their drug, molnupiravir, is one of two powerful medicines to treat COVID-19 that are nearing the end of clinical testing.
• Now proven against COVID-19, mRNA can do so much more
  CNN – June 1, 2021
  When the final Phase 3 data came out last November showing the mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna were more than 90% effective, Dr. Anthony Fauci had no words. This astonishing efficacy has held up in real-world studies in the US and elsewhere. The mRNA technology — developed for its speed and flexibility as opposed to expectations it would provide strong protection against an infectious disease — has pleased and astonished even those who already advocated for it.
• 70% of adult Californians are partially vaccinated against COVID-19
  Los Angeles Times – June 1, 2021
  California has now at least partially vaccinated 70% of its adult residents against COVID-19. Clearing that hurdle is a vital development as the state prepares to fully reopen later this month.
• Moderna applies for full FDA approval of its COVID-19 vaccine
  CNBC – June 1, 2021
  Moderna asked the Food and Drug Administration for full U.S. approval of its COVID-19 vaccine — the second drugmaker in the U.S. to seek a biologics license that will allow it to market the shots directly to consumers. The mRNA vaccine is currently on the U.S. market under an emergency use authorization, which was granted by the FDA in December.
• The hurdles to creating a universal COVID vaccine
  Axios – June 1, 2021
  New science is breathing fresh life into the idea of a vaccine that works against all coronaviruses, including ones that could cause future pandemics. Scientists have been attempting for years to make a universal flu vaccine, and have yet to be successful. But some experts say making a universal — or a pan-coronavirus vaccine — may be easier, especially given all that’s been learned over the last year, and it’s gaining attention from researchers.
• California announces $116.5 million in vaccine incentives
  Washington Post – May 27, 2021
  California became the latest state to announce huge cash prizes to incentivize vaccination against the coronavirus, offering $116.5 million in giveaways — many smaller payments as well as a final drawing for 10 winners of $1.5 million each.

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].