UP FRONT

Industry news

COVID-19

Japan approves dexamethasone
to treat Covid-19 patients

The Japanese health ministry has approved dexamethasone, a low-cost and widely available steroid, for the treatment ofCovid-19 patients.

This marks the second approval for a Covid-19 treatment in the country, following the authorisation of Gilead Sciences’ antiviral drug remdesivir in May.

The Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry included dexamethasone as a government-approved drug in a recent version of its handbook for novel coronavirus treatment, reported Japan Times.

DEAL

Grifols to acquire GC Pharma's plasma facility

Plasma-derived medicines company Grifols has executed purchase arrangements with South Korean-based GC Pharma to acquire a plasma fractionation facility in Montreal, Canada for $460m.

The deal also covers two purification facilities, as well as 11 US-based plasma collection centres.

Grifols said that the strategic acquisition is in line with its global growth strategy aimed at expanding plasma collection and fractionation capacity to enable access to plasma-derived medicines worldwide.

The deal will primarily boost the company’s footprint in Canada.

Grifols has been a plasma fractionator in Canada for more than 30 years under contract manufacturing services, offering plasma-derived medicines for patients and healthcare providers across the country.

PARTNERSHIP

SANOFI AND TRANSLATE BIO TEAM UP TO DEVELOP MRNA VACCINES

Sanofi vaccines business unit Sanofi Pasteur has expanded its existing 2018 partnership with messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics firm Translate Bio for the development of mRNA vaccines against various infectious diseases.

The expanded collaboration will combine Sanofi’s vaccine research and development capabilities with Translate Bio’s expertise and knowledge on mRNA research and development.

Translate Bio is leveraging its mRNA platform for the discovery, design and manufacturing of vaccine candidates while Sanofi Pasteur’s vaccine expertise will help advance the candidates’ development.

Furthermore, Translate Bio will transfer technology and processes for Sanofi Pasteur to create and manufacture mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases.Currently, the partners are analysing several Covid-19 vaccine candidates in-vivo for immunogenicity and neutralising antibody activity.

Findings are intended to facilitate lead candidate selection.The aim is to launch a first-in-human clinical trial in the fourth quarter of this year.

The companies are working on an mRNA vaccine development candidate against influenza. They plan to advance the candidate through preclinical studies and begin human trials mid next year.

IN BRIEF

Merck, contract research firm IRBM on Coronavirus therapies

Merck (MSD) has collaborated with contract research services company IRBM for the identification and development of new peptide therapeutics that can target various strains of coronavirus.

J&J in talks with Japan and Gates Foundation for Covid-19 vaccine

US-based Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is in discussions with the Government of Japan, as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, regarding allocations of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate.

Gilead to acquire stake in Tizona for $300 million

Gilead Sciences is set to acquire a 49.9% equity interest in cancer immunotherapies maker Tizona Therapeutics through an investment of $300m.

Gavi announces 75 countries intend to join Covax access facility

Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, has said that 75 countries have expressed interest to join the COVAX access facility intended to ensure fast and equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines globally.

Merck, contract research firm IRBM on Coronavirus therapies

Merck (MSD) has collaborated with contract research services company IRBM for the identification and development of new peptide therapeutics that can target various strains of coronavirus.