Biocon management signals the potential of its partnered entry with Serum Institute and Adagio Therapeutics into the communicable diseases segment. Continuing large supply opportunities for COVID-19 vaccines and prospects for boosters, alongside the promising profile of the neutralizing antibody being developed by its US-based partner, also bode well.

Two products that were on the European Commission’s original list of the “top five” COVID-19 candidate therapeutics in development have been dropped from the latest “top 10” portfolio.

Chinese venture Brii seeks US emergency authorization for its antibody combo, as Chugai aims for wider use of its antibody cocktail in Japan and two other Chinese firms link up on an oral antiviral. 

Japan approves a second antibody therapy for COVID-19 in short order, while India gives the go-ahead to a local clinical program for Novavax/Serum Institute's recombinant protein vaccine candidate.