In this issue of GOLD, we highlight some of the top news stories from the pharmaceutical industry that have been in the headlines over the past few months. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate affairs, as vaccines and treatments gain momentum in trials, and initiatives launch to accelerate any potential solutions. Amid all of this, other important approvals, appointments, and positive acts of social responsibility have taken place.
08 June
Eli Lilly and Co. and Junshi Biosciences trial COVID-19 antibody treatment, JS016, on first healthy volunteer
17 June
Novavax appoints AstraZeneca heavy-weight, Filip Dubovsky, as new Chief Medical Officer
19 June
GSK and Clover Pharmaceuticals’ vaccine, S-Trimer, enters human clinical trials
25 June
NICE recommends Roche’s revolutionary cancer treatment, entrectinib
26 June
WHO launches $18 billion COVID-19 initiative to steamroll global R&D efforts and manufacturing and distribution capabilities
30 June
FDA announces it will require 50% efficacy for a COVID-19 vaccine to be approved
01 July
European Commission approves Marketing Authorisation for Janssen’s Ebola vaccine for preventative measures against the disease
09 July
Gilead launches Phase Ia study on inhalable version of their drug, remdesivir
13 July
FDA announces it will resume ‘prioritised’ domestic manufacturing inspections
21 July
AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine shows strong results in the ongoing Phase I/II trial
24 July
Novartis launches unique initiative to supply low- and lower-middle-income countries with affordable access to COVID-19 symptom treatments
30 July
Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S, protects against COVID-19 in pre-clinical studies