In this issue

10 COVID-19 candidate Vaccines in Clinical Evaluation

The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus is a reminder of how global populations and economies are interconnected. The pandemic is integrating the global healthcare force by exposing the obvious realities that no single individual, company, or country can solve the pandemic crisis alone. Researchers are optimistically demonstrating best-in-class resources from the lab to manufacturing to advance the innovations at multiple vaccine candidates. Indeed, the global biopharma manufacturing industry is funding and expanding its capabilities for vaccine production on an ‘’at-risk basis’’ to facilitate the world’s immediate need and demand. Novel paradigms of Next-generation vaccine technology platforms are accelerating the development of “one life saving vaccine” to nullify the repulsive humanitarian and economic impact. According to the WHO, as of May 30 there are 10 vaccines under clinical evaluation which have already progressed to human trials and121 candidates are in preclinical evaluation.

10 Covid-19 Candidate Vaccines In Clinical Evaluation

The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus is a reminder of how global populations and economies are interconnected. The pandemic is integrating the global healthcare force by exposing the obvious realities that no single individual, company, or country can solve the pandemic crisis alone. Researchers are optimistically demonstrating best-in-class resources from the lab to manufacturing to advance the innovations at multiple vaccine candidates. Indeed, the global biopharma manufacturing industry is funding and expanding its capabilities for vaccine production on an ‘’at-risk basis’’ to facilitate the world’s immediate need and demand. Novel paradigms of Next-generation vaccine technology platforms are accelerating the development of “one life-saving vaccine” to nullify the repulsive humanitarian and economic impact. According to the WHO, as of May 30 there are 10 vaccines under clinical evaluation which have already progressed to human trials and 121 candidates are in preclinical evaluation.

10+ mins

AUSTRALIA'S ‘research engine' SLOWS DOWN

As the COVID-19 has spread around the globe, it has created profound disruption across communities, patients and clinicians. Pharma and medtech companieshave found themselves front and center—supplying (and rapidly scaling up) vitally important medical products to support patients in their time of need, while also attracting widespread attention as the industry sprints to develop new therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19. At the same time, the clinical and product development “research engine” has experienced profound disruption as colleagues adjust to remote work environments and lab capacity is reduced. Due to this crisis the focus has been now devoted to COVID-19 affecting research and development in other areas across the globe including R&D in Australia.

10+ mins

Traditional Medicines & Covid-19

Allopathic drugs are already being tried to treat COVID-19 but even with promising results these drugs always comes with some side-effects unlike in case of traditional system of medicines.

8 mins

IF WISHES WERE VACCINES…

The long road till commercial availability compelling sustained funding at unprecedented levels. Combined with the $ 2 billion outlay expected from GAVI / CEPI and various government institutions and alliances across the globe, the total economic interest invested in this research would be at a never-before-seen or imagined level.

5 mins

A Digital Bounce Back Post Covid-19

MedTech industry is at the epicentre of the COVID-19 crisis. Supplying everything, from protective masks, gowns, gloves to diagnostics kits to ventilators, the industry is essentially a lifeline during these troubled times. Since this is a novel virus, the epidemiology of the disease wasn’t clearly understood. Therefore, clear diagnostic and care pathways could not be carved out. And yet, within a record time of just two to three months, medtech firms have come up with game-changing innovations to address the unmet clinical needs of the market.

2 mins

“Merck is currently supplying key products and services to over 45 COVID-19 vaccine programmes around the world”

Asia Pacific Life Science business of Merck develops improved and enhanced technologies from biopharmaceutical therapies to cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production. Responding to COVID-19 outbreak, Merck’s BioProcessing unit is engaged in consolidating and supplying raw materials along with characterization and detection of vaccine research products. Merck actively evaluates and leverages business continuity plans for COVID-19 vaccines and therapies development. Merck’s SARS-CoV-2 detection, characterization, vaccine and therapy production capabilities are leveraged at the Jenner Institute for the development of Oxford vaccine. Prioritizing on crucial timeline Merck’s advanced upstream and downstream portfolios target faster yield and productivity to support and expedite the need of an hour. BioSpectrum Asia spoke with Benoit Opsomer, Vice President & Head of BioProcessing, Asia Pacific, Life Science business at Mercato explore the company’s commitment towards researchers, developers and manufacturers to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

4 mins

“COVID-19 crisis has brought together the scientific community like never before”

The UK headquartered Cytiva is a $3.3 billion global life sciences leader with nearly 7000 associates operating in 40 countries dedicated to advancing and accelerating therapeutics. As a trusted partner to customers that range in scale and scope, Cytiva brings speed, efficiency and capacity to research and manufacturing workflows, enabling the development, manufacture and delivery of transformative medicines to patients. Cytiva announced the collaboration with Takara Bio to develop DNA vaccine to confront the virus in Japan, on May 21. BioSpectrum Asia spoke to Francis Van Parys, Vice-President Commercial, Asia-Pacific, Cytiva (Formerly GE Life Sciences), Seoul, South Korea, who is responsible for providing transformational technologies in biopharmaceutical research, manufacturing and diagnostics to Cytiva customers and partners in the life sciences industry in China, India, Japan, Korea, ASEAN and Australia & New Zealand, for his major plans in store and his plans to enhance growth within the APAC region for the company.

3 mins

“CST is committed to developing new rigorously validated antibodies and protein tools”

The United States-based Cell Signaling Technology (CST) is a global, private, family-owned company founded by scientists in 1999. CST supplies the highest quality antibodies and reagents to enable researchers to discover the mechanisms of disease. It didn’t believe in compromising science for profits. That’s why it produces and validate its products in-house. BioSpectrum Asia spoke to Roberto Polakiewcz, Chief Scientific Officer, Cell Signaling Technology (CST), Danvers, United States, who drives research, product, and technology innovation, facilitating the creation of CST’s most valuable products, technologies, and intellectual property on the company’s contributions in tacking COVID-19 and plans for expansion in Asian region?

3 mins

“We can make 13M doses per week without expanding our current capacity”

Luina Bio is a Brisbane, Australia based, drug development and contract manufacturing organization (CMO) serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and veterinary industries. Utilising its TGA/APVMA licensed facilities operating to international cGMP standards, it can provide comprehensive manufacturing solutions for both biological and small molecule drugs. BioSpectrum Asia spoke to Max Rossetto, General Manager - Business Development, Luina Bio, Australia on different issues including strategies that are in place/ being planned to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak and what needs to be done to make Australia COVID-19 free?

2 mins

Face-lifting biopharma industry image

Emerging markets are gaining more importance than ever, led by China, considering the scales of volumes they offer. With time and cost of development significantly reduced, the pharma companies can launch the products at affordable prices.

3 mins

Read all stories from BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia Magazine Description:

BioSpectrum Asia Magazine is a monthly magazine published by MM Activ Sci-Tech Communication in India. It is a leading biotechnology magazine in Asia, covering a wide range of topics related to the biotechnology industry, including:

* Biotechnology news and trends: BioSpectrum Asia covers the latest biotechnology news and trends from India and around the world.
* Biotechnology company profiles and interviews: The magazine profiles leading biotechnology companies in Asia and interviews their CEOs and other top executives.
* Biotechnology research and development: BioSpectrum Asia covers the latest biotechnology research and development from academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies.
* Biotechnology product reviews: The magazine reviews the latest biotechnology products and services.
* Biotechnology industry events: BioSpectrum Asia covers biotechnology industry events from around the world.

BioSpectrum Asia Magazine is a must-read for anyone who wants to stay informed about the latest advances in biotechnology and their potential to impact the world around us.