Spotlight

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