July 17, 2020

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 July 17, 2020. Notable advancements include:

• AstraZeneca and Oxford University’s vaccine showed a robust defense against COVID-19 in a Phase I trial.
• Moderna reported their vaccine provoked a promising immune response against the COVID-19 virus in a small trial.
• Gilead Sciences announced new findings that its antiviral drug remdesivir reduced the risk of death for severely sick coronavirus patients by 62 percent.

​Recent News:

• Report: AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine Generates Antibodies and T-Cells Against the Virus in Phase I Trial
  Biospace – July 16, 2020
  Phase I data from the COVID-19 vaccine under development by AstraZeneca and Oxford University’s Jenner Institute is showing a robust defense against the novel coronavirus.
• Johnson & Johnson hopes to begin late-stage coronavirus vaccine trial ahead of schedule in September
  CNBC – July 16, 2020
  Johnson & Johnson said it expects to begin a late-stage human trial for a potential coronavirus vaccine in late September, ahead of schedule.
• Novartis launches first-of-its-kind not-for-profit portfolio of medicines for symptomatic treatment of COVID-19
  Novartis – July 16, 2020
  Novartis announced a new initiative to help patients in low-income and lower-middle-income countries access affordable medicines to treat the major symptoms of COVID-19 – a critical need in the absence of a vaccine or curative treatment.
• First data for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine show it spurs an immune response
  STAT – July 14, 2020
  An experimental coronavirus vaccine made by the biotech company Moderna provoked a promising immune response against the virus and appeared safe in the first 45 people who received it, researchers reported on Tuesday in The New England Journal of Medicine.
• Moderna will begin late-stage coronavirus vaccine trial on July 27
  CNBC – July 14, 2020
  Moderna will begin its late-stage trial testing a potential vaccine to prevent COVID-19 on July 27, according to a posting published Tuesday on ClinicalTrials.gov.
• Pfizer, BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccines get FDA’s ‘fast track’ status
  CNBC – July 13, 2020
  Two experimental coronavirus vaccines jointly developed by German biotech firm BioNTech and U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer have received ‘fast track’ designation from the U.S. drug regulator, the companies said on Monday.
• Gilead Presents Additional Data on Investigational Antiviral Remdesivir for the Treatment of COVID-19
  Gilead – July 10, 2020
  Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced additional data on remdesivir, including an evaluation of the safety, efficacy and treatment outcomes of remdesivir in communities of color.
• Gilead says remdesivir coronavirus treatment reduces risk of death in severely sick patients
  CNBC – July 10, 2020
  Gilead Sciences announced new findings Friday that its antiviral drug remdesivir reduced the risk of death for severely sick coronavirus patients by 62% compared with standard care alone, saying more research is needed.

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].