Sanofi and GSK plan to enter into a collaboration to develop an adjuvanted vaccine for COVID-19, using innovative technology from both companies. Sanofi will contribute its S-protein COVID-19 antigen, which is based on recombinant DNA technology. This technology has produced an exact genetic match to proteins found on the surface of the virus, and the […]

Private equity firm Blackstone and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals have entered into a broad strategic collaboration under which Blackstone will provide up to $2 billion to support Alnylam’s advancement of innovative RNA interference (RNAi) medicines that have the potential to address a range of debilitating diseases. The deal is anchored by Blackstone’s purchase of 50 percent of […]

Sanofi has been a pioneer in continuous biologics processing with breakthroughs in process development that have demonstrated remarkable levels of process intensification over traditional manufacturing processes. This has enabled dramatic reduction in process scale and opened a window for flexible single use technologies and the commercialization of the first Integrated Continuous Biomanufacturing (ICB) facility. The […]

In 2015, Pfizer launched “Project Indigo” to relocate clinical manufacturing capabilities from Chesterfield, Missouri, to the new 175,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art Andover Clinical Manufacturing Facility (ACMF) on the existing Pfizer Andover campus. The move was made to expand clinical biological drug substance manufacturing capacity from 14 to 21 campaigns per year, while vertically integrating the […]

Beginning in January 2020, Johnson & Johnson has been working in collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and scientists at multiple academic institutions to research potential COVID-19 vaccine candidates. Based on this work, J&J has identified a lead vaccine candidate (with two back-ups), which will progress into the first manufacturing steps. Under an accelerated […]

The FDA has approved Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Zeposia (ozanimod) for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). A Marketing Authorization Application for Zeposia in the European Union is currently under review with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), with a regulatory decision expected in the first half of 2020. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is […]

Pfizer has announced the completion of a $1.25 billion, ten-year “sustainability” bond, Pfizer’s first-ever sustainability bond and a first for a biopharmaceutical company. Proceeds from the bond, paying 2.625 percent interest semi-annually, will help manage the company’s environmental impact and support increased patient access to Pfizer’s medicines and vaccines, especially among underserved populations, and strengthen […]

The Biogen Foundation has committed $10 million to support global response efforts and communities around the world impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Biogen Foundation supports access to science education and to essential human services for children and their families in the communities in which Biogen facilities are located. The funds will be used to […]

Novartis has announced that Sandoz, its generics and biosimilars division, has started to ship a consignment of 30 million doses of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets to HHS for immediate use in controlled clinical studies. The study will evaluate the medicine’s effectiveness in people who have tested positive for COVID-19. The shipment is part of the previously […]

A consortium of life sciences companies will collaborate with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate the development, manufacture and delivery of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for COVID-19 in response to the pandemic. Companies participating in the collaboration include: BD, bioMérieux, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, […]