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May 18, 2020___

Today's Rundown

Featured Story

Moderna posts 'positive' early data for COVID-19 vaccine

Moderna’s COVID-19 prompted an immune response similar to those seen in patients who have recovered from infection. Eight patients who received the two lowest dose levels—25 micrograms and 100 micrograms—developed neutralizing antibodies against the virus two weeks after receiving their second dose.

Top Stories

The COVID-19 pandemic will have a long-term impact on healthcare. Here are 4 changes to expect

Healthcare is in a state of flux and once the immediate emergency of the current COVID-19 pandemic passes the industry will not return to business as usual, experts say. Here are four changes to expect in healthcare going forward.

Verily seeks to establish new COVID-19 'Baseline’ with coronavirus antibody research project

Verily has launched a new clinical research effort focused on COVID-19 antibody testing and exploring the body’s immune response to the novel coronavirus.

Teva bails on price-fixing settlement in gamble on its role fighting COVID-19: report

Federal prosecutors turned up the heat in recent months on a generic price-fixing probe that had targeted some of the industry's biggest players before COVID-19 slowed the hunt. Teva, the biggest target in that investigation, has reportedly bailed on settlement talks in a decision meant to test the government's resolve.

I got a positive COVID-19 antibody test. What do I do with that?

There are serious questions surrounding antibody testing and what we can actually glean from them. It felt like a waste of money. But I got the test anyway. Now what?

Biopharma roundup—Vaccine czar Slaoui resigns from Moderna’s board, holds $10M in stock

Moderna shares leapt about 30% after unveiling early data showing its vaccine candidate led eight trial participants to elicit neutralizing antibodies. Elsewhere, Verily launched a new clinical research effort focused on COVID-19, with an initial focus on coronavirus antibody testing.

Healthcare roundup—Cerner employees head back to the office

FierceHealthcare's ongoing coverage of how the coronavirus is impacting the healthcare industry.

CureVac ramps up COVID-19 mRNA vaccine effort as Moderna analysts raise questions about animal data

CureVac announced that its lead COVID-19 mRNA vaccine candidate generated “high levels” of virus-neutralizing titers in animal models and that it will launch a phase 1/2a clinical trial next month. But with Moderna's equally optimistic statements about a mouse trial of its mRNA vaccine candidate, some analysts are raising questions about what the preclinical data really means.

Fitbit to develop emergency COVID-19 ventilator: CNBC

Fitbit aims to wield its fitness-focused supply chain to start building its own COVID-19 ventilator and plans to submit its designs to the FDA in the near future, CEO James Park told CNBC.

Microsoft, UnitedHealth launch COVID-19 screening app for the workplace

Microsoft and UnitedHealth Group are launching a free smartphone app that businesses and employees can use to digitally screen for COVID-19 symptoms and clear those who can return to work.

COVID-19 brings divisions on hydroxychloroquine, reopening

As the pandemic plays out, political divisions have unfolded around hydroxychloroquine and reopening economies, for starters.

Premera Blue Cross teams up with 98point6 to launch virtual primary care plan

Washington-based Premera Blue Cross is launching a new virtual primary care plan for employers. Here's why they say COVID-19 is making a clear use case.

FDA authorizes Everlywell's home collection kit for use with multiple COVID-19 tests

The FDA authorized a new at-home collection kit that allows people to take their own nasal swab samples and then mail them overnight to a laboratory to be tested with different authorized coronavirus diagnostics.

AstraZeneca tackles COPD, asthma patients' COVID-19 concerns in new YouTube series

AstraZeneca wants to answer questions COPD and asthma patients might have when it comes to COVID-19. A new, unbranded TV ad invites people with respiratory conditions to a YouTube channel AZ created with a series of explainer videos specific to the novel coronavirus.