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Editor’s Note: Fierce COVID-19 Update will not publish on Monday in observance of the July Fourth holiday, but we'll be back in your inbox on Tuesday, July 6.

Today's Rundown

Featured Story

No microchips here: IBM, Johns Hopkins unveil AI chatbot to tackle COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

The chatbot, accessible via desktop and mobile devices, was designed specifically to be used by young people in U.S. communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19 who may be finding it difficult to find credible information about the vaccines.

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Top Stories

COVID-19 tracker: J&J shot shows early success against Delta variant; Germany suggests vaccine mixing

Johnson & Johnson said its vaccine produced “strong, persistent activity” against the troublesome Delta variant, first found in India, when studied in the lab. Meanwhile, Germany is suggesting people who received the AstraZeneca shot as a first dose use an mRNA vaccine for their second shot. And more headlines.

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AGC Biologics expands further in Colorado with purchase of Novartis Gene Therapies plant

Angling to bolster cell and gene production, AGC Biologics has clinched a deal for a commercial Novartis Gene Therapies factory in Longmont, Colorado. Located just 16 miles from AGC’s 20,000-liter mammalian facility in Boulder, the new plant is expected to add “significant additional capacity" for the contract manufacturer.

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