1. Trials for COVID-19 therapeutics are moving along—quickly. From Vir Biotechnology Inc., which is expecting to start trials on its antibodies this summer, to Regeneron starting clinical trials for its antibody cocktail therapy any day now, biotechs are moving with unprecedented speed on R&D for COVID-19 therapeutics. (If you missed our fascinating live plenary, Leveraging Innovative Technology to Treat COVID-19, you can
catch a full recap on the BIO Digital Live Blog.)
2. It's time for new cell and gene therapies. Be patient with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as they push COVID-19 approvals, Dr. Wilson Bryan, Director for the FDA’s Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies, told attendees. The FDA will be responsive, but processes may be slower than normal, meetings may be pushed back, or the format of dialogue may require written responses rather than a normal video conference.
3. Pandemics are not isolated. Jeff May, Vice President, Global Public Policy, Merck & Co., Inc. discussed the severity of pandemics during a session titled International Trade in the Time of COVID-19. “They are not isolated,” he explained. “There is an interest in ensuring good health around the world. We need to support an innovative ecosystem to ensure we are effective in our response.”
4. Collaboration is key for health care systems to adapt post-COVID. “It is key to work together to sustain patient access...especially for highly innovative treatments that do come with a high price tag," said Fabien Berkemeier, Director, Value and Access Strategy, IGES Institut GmbH. "Both payers and companies want patient access to treatments. It is going to be about working together at a time when there are budget constraints.”
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