|Articles|March 7, 2020

The ID Pipeline: FDA Activity From the Week of March 1, 2020

Here is a look at infectious disease-related US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) news from the week of March 1, 2020.

Here is a look at infectious disease-related US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) news from the week of March 1, 2020.

Inovio Accelerates Timeline for INO-4800 COVID-19 DNA Vaccine

Inovio Pharmaceuticals announced on March 3 that it would be accelerating the timeline for its DNA vaccine, INO-4800, intended to address the novel coronavirus respiratory infection (COVID-19).

The vaccine is based on a phase 2 vaccine the company has for the related coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Human trials are planned for April.

Read the press release.

Takeda Initiates Development of Hyperimmune Globulin COVID-19 Treatment

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company met with members of the United States Congress to discuss the development of a polyclonal hyperimmune globulin therapy to treat high-risk individuals with COVID-19.

The company also intends to study whether currently marketed Takeda products may be effective for COVID-19 patients. Hyperimmune globulin plasma derived treatments have previously been effective in the treatment of other severe acute viral respiratory infections.

Read the press release.

Vir Biotechnology and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Expand Collaboration to Develop RNA Interference Therapeutics For COVID-19

Vir Biotechnology and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals have expanded their collaboration to include development of RNA interference therapies for COVID-19.

The companies intend to use Alnylam’s advances in lung delivery of novel conjugates of small interfering RNA and Vir’s infectious disease background to create one or more treatments targeting COVID-19.

Read the press release.


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