Despite legacy cancer drug sales still being hurt by biosimilars, Roche at the half-year mark is expected to give another good overall performance and underscore its growing product diversity and an increasing interest in rare diseases.

Roche’s Q1 update highlighted some key coming drug catalysts and early stage clinical efforts, including those for a potential COVID pill and for targeted cancer vaccines.

New government funding to boost vaccine manufacturing and research into variant vaccines is being made available as part of the UK’s ambitious plans for a partnership to accelerate the availability of vaccines and other products for future pandemics.

Industry leaders share their expectations around COVID-19 for the coming year. Further product development and vaccine rollout will be key themes in 2021. Equitable supply and addressing the mental health challenges associated with lockdowns also loom large.