Merck pays undisclosed upfront fees and promises up to $500m for milestones under licensing and collaboration agreement. Meanwhile, Tetraphase and Xerava are being acquired by La Jolla, after previous bids by Melinta and AcelRx.

US FDA’s Medical Countermeasures Initiative authorities like emergency use authorization have not yet had much of an impact on drugs and biologics, but agency is committed to supporting a swift response to the new strain of coronavirus.

Tropical diseases were not neglected by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in 2019, producing three novel vaccines (which earned three priority review vouchers) and tilting the approval class toward expedited review programs.

Buying two vaccines for rabies and tick-borne encephalitis complements the recently approved smallpox and monkeypox vaccine Jynneos. Now the Danish firm needs to start selling them.