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Today's Rundown

Regeneron leaps ahead in COVID-19 antibody race, scoring FDA nod for lower dose and subcutaneous injection
After breakout year, Moderna on track to generate $15B+ in 2022 thanks to more demand, higher prices: analysts
In Missouri and other states, flawed data make it hard to track vaccine equity
China's Stemirna raises $188M to fund mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
Pharma delivers: New campaign celebrates pharma distribution companies' role during pandemic
DNA sequencing test maker Helix doubles down on COVID-19 testing, tracking with $50M series C
COVID-19 tracker: Canada buys more Pfizer doses; China's Stemirna raises $188M
Payer, provider groups clamor for CMS to add audio-only telehealth visits to MA risk adjustment
Training break: Pharma companies get into gaming to boost retention, recall—and fun

Featured Story

Regeneron leaps ahead in COVID-19 antibody race, scoring FDA nod for lower dose and subcutaneous injection

By Kevin Dunleavy

The FDA has adjusted its emergency use authorization for Regeneron's COVID-19 antibody cocktail, allowing it to be administered in a smaller dose and by subcutaneous injection. The action gives the company another leg up in its antibody battle with Eli Lilly.

After breakout year, Moderna on track to generate $15B+ in 2022 thanks to more demand, higher prices: analysts

By Noah Higgins-Dunn

Moderna sees strong reason to believe 2021 won’t be a one-off year for the biotech given the anticipated need for booster shots and additional supply deals coupled with stronger pricing power, according to a note from Jefferies analysts. In turn, analysts estimate that Moderna could generate $15 billion in 2022, with an upper limit of $30 billion.

In Missouri and other states, flawed data make it hard to track vaccine equity

By Alex Smith, KCUR

Gaps and inconsistencies in the data have made it difficult to understand who’s actually getting COVID-19 shots.

China's Stemirna raises $188M to fund mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

By Nick Paul Taylor

China’s Stemirna Therapeutics has raised RMB 1.2 billion ($188 million) to bankroll development of an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19. Sequoia Capital China co-led the financing with backers including WuXi AppTec plus assists from OrbiMed and other investors.

Pharma delivers: New campaign celebrates pharma distribution companies' role during pandemic

By Sharon Klahr Coey

A new ad campaign from the Healthcare Distribution Alliance celebrates the critical work of healthcare distribution companies during the pandemic, reminding people—and policymakers—that they've always been here.

DNA sequencing test maker Helix doubles down on COVID-19 testing, tracking with $50M series C

By Andrea Park

While many makers of COVID-19 diagnostics have reeled in their once-lofty projections for test sales this year—thanks to the widespread and growing availability of the coronavirus vaccines—Helix, for one, is still plowing full steam ahead in its testing and tracking efforts.

COVID-19 tracker: Canada buys more Pfizer doses; China's Stemirna raises $188M

By Noah Higgins-Dunn,Kevin Dunleavy,Fraiser Kansteiner

As Canada presses ahead with its summer vaccination push, the country has negotiated for 3 million Pfizer vaccine doses. Plus, biotech in China raised $188 million from venture firms to advance its mRNA vaccine candidate.

Payer, provider groups clamor for CMS to add audio-only telehealth visits to MA risk adjustment

By Robert King

Payer and provider groups want CMS to count audio-only telehealth visits for Medicare Advantage risk adjustment, which the agency already does for ACA plans.

Training break: Pharma companies get into gaming to boost retention, recall—and fun

By Beth Snyder Bulik

Pharma companies are getting in the game—using gamification that is, to train sales reps, onboard new employees, reinforce information about new products and even have fun. That became even more important during the pandemic, says The Game Agency and some of its pharma clients.

COVID-19 Tracker