Pharmafile.com's weekly COVID-19 news round-up

Image credit: CDC

The past week has continued to see positive COVID-19 news; CytoDyn’s treatment for patients with severe symptoms of the virus has shown promising results in a Phase III trial, Novartis has agreed to manufacture CureVac’s CVnCoV vaccine, and Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN jab has proven 81% effective in its latest study.

1. CytoDyn’s COVID-19 treatment shows positive results in Phase III trial – Published 09/03/2021

Biotechnology company CytoDyn has shown positive results in its Phase III CD12 trial of Vyrologix, its treatment for COVID-19 patients with severe or critical symptoms as a result of the illness.

2. CHMP recommends Lilly's bamlanivimab for COVID-19 patients – Published 08/03/21

The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive scientific opinion for Eli Lilly’s bamlanivimab alone and bamlanivimab administered together with etesevimab in COVID-19 patients.

3. Novartis signs agreement to manufacture CureVac's COVID-19 vaccine – Published 05/03/21

CureVac and Novartis have signed an initial agreement for the manufacturing of CureVac’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, CVnCoV.

4. UK government invests £5m in COVID-19 mRNA vaccine library – Published - 05/03/21

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has received a £5 million investment from the UK government, to support the development of an mRNA ‘vaccine library’ as part of the vaccine support package announced in the Budget by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

5. Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN jab 81% effective in Phase III trial – Published 04/03/21

Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate has shown an interim efficacy of 81% in a Phase III trial, the company announced yesterday.