Serum to hold 15% in Biocon arm Biocon Biologics as part of a broad alliance that expects to leverage the partners' strengths and resources in vaccines and biologics. Pursuing opportunities based on the hot mRNA technology platform appears firmly on the table.

Moderna is hot on the heels of Pfizer with booster data for its COVID-19 vaccine, and could benefit from its rival being first to face potential skepticism from the US FDA over booster data for its vaccine.

The UK’s choice of the mRNA vaccines as COVID-19 boosters is no surprise – but not releasing the key study data behind the decision is.

The Israeli biotech announced disappointing Phase II/III data for opaganib while expanding its Phase II/III RHB-107 study. Pharming unveiled promising data from a company-sponsored study, but an imbalance in an investigator-led study confounded results, while CalciMedica built on the case for its drug as a treatment for COVID-19 pneumonia.

Everest Medicines’ deal with Canadian biotech Providence Therapeutics contains a full transfer of technology which may be appealing to Chinese regulators.

Ex-WHO executive and co-chair of the Asia Pacific Immunization Coalition, Tikki Pangestu, outlined at a recent briefing why he believes herd immunity for COVID-19 will not be achievable against the backdrop of the global spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. Facets of vaccine hesitancy and the complexity of vaccine manufacturing were among the other issues discussed by experts.

GSK could soon see an approval in Japan for its antibody therapy following a filing for emergency use, while South Korea looks to build its mRNA vaccine capabilities through a new consortium. 

The stock price performances of the top two coronavirus vaccine producers are inversely correlated to their sales and pipelines. There seems to be an expectation of declining coronavirus vaccine sales for some, but not for others.

The UK’s decision has hit Valneva’s share price hard, but its vaccine candidates in Chikungunya and Lyme’s disease should help the firm bounce back.

In this week's podcast edition of Scrip's Five Must-Know Things: US industry warns over pricing; a setback for another gene therapy; a Phase II disappointment for Novartis; Actemra shortages cause CAR-T worries; and Sweden's Sobi set to go private. 

The company plans to make a new EUA request prior to filing a BLA, but does not yet have a specific timeline. Meanwhile, it has been preparing for the drug’s distribution as a COVID-19 treatment.

Pfizer has pledged to supply 41% of its COVID-19 vaccine output to developing nations – but warns that these countries still need to sign contracts on time to guarantee supplies.

The availability later this month of Hetero's biosimilar tocilizumab, ostensibly a less pricey product, could place India in a relatively better situation to cope with any demand spurt should another wave of COVID-19 strike. Innovator product Actemra is expected to be in short supply, going by current trends, given the unprecedented worldwide demand.

From clinical trials to in-person sales calls, the pharmaceutical value chain has been tested by the COVID-19 pandemic, but has held up. Nevertheless, recent friction within this chain may be more than a passing irritation.

A third death has been reported in Japan following dosing with Moderna's mRNA vaccine and while an investigation is underway, it is not seen as product-related. Takeda has also signed a production and supply deal with Japan's government for Novavax's nanoparticle vaccine. 

While some cancer centers report sufficient stocks of the drug, they have already been turning to potential alternatives due to supply issues that could last for weeks or months.