China 2020 has been eventful – perhaps the understatement of the year – but despite the novel coronavirus being discovered in China around the beginning of 2020, the country bounced back from the COVID-19 outbreaks by mid-year to deliver the hottest year for Chinese biopharma yet.   The Chinese biopharma sector…

Global Rare disease patient advocate Monica Weldon outlines some of the ethical conundrums around embryonic gene editing. With CRISPR technology again in the news as part of the rush to develop COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, Weldon highlights the arguments for and against embryonic gene editing from a patient/parent perspective and makes…

Asia-Pacific The latest pharma news from the Asia-Pacific region, including upcoming IPOs for Prestige Biopharma and HH&L Acquisition; logistics challenges for COVID-19 vaccine distributors; and Moderna’s CMO-based vaccine manufacturing strategy in Asia.   Singapore-based Prestige Biopharma prepares for IPO on the Korea Exchange https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/garage/prestige-biopharma-eyes-at-least-18t-won-valuation-in-korean-ipo SINGAPORE-BASED Prestige Biopharma expects an implied market…

USA Hours after President Biden was inaugurated on Tuesday 19th January 2021, Dr Janet Woodcock was named as acting commissioner for the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). “The FDA’s public health work is more critical than ever as we continue to fight this global pandemic… The American people can be certain…

Americas The latest news from pharma and healthcare in Latin America, including funding and logistics challenges in national COVID-19 vaccination programs, a new variant of the virus in Colombia, and the impasse between Pfizer and the Peruvian government.   First Covid-19 Vaccines Are Given in Latin America, But Region Faces Challenges…

Global Four companies (GSK, Pfizer, Sanofi, and MSD) together occupy over 80 percent of the global market for vaccines. Moreover, vaccines are an important part of these companies’ revenue streams, making up between 13 and 21 percent of total revenues in 2019.   Made with Visme Infographic Maker   Insights on Vaccines’…

Global Scientists have come together in an unparalleled worldwide collaboration and sharing of data to advance a COVID-19 vaccine.[1] As rollouts become reality, stakeholders from across the globe will need to collaborate to ensure these vaccines are available and accepted. Vaccines will need a high level of trust for a return…

Global With several COVID-19 vaccines gaining regulatory approval across the world in record time, a spotlight has been shone on the vaccines field more widely, notably the 30-year wait for a HIV vaccine. Janssen Global Therapeutic Area Head of Vaccines Johan Van Hoof recently sat down with PharmaBoardroom to discuss the…

Global After a transformative 2020, Shawview Consulting’s Brendan Shaw looks into his crystal ball and makes five predictions (plus one) on the key trends that life sciences companies need to be aware of in 2021.   If 2020 taught us anything, it is that futurists and forecasters make their new year…

Sweden Anders Blanck of Lif, the trade association for the research-based Swedish pharmaceutical industry, outlines the steps already being put in place for Sweden to become a leading country in the implementation of precision medicine. Blanck highlights the impact of Sweden’s December 2019 Life Science Strategy – which includes initiatives on…

MEA The latest COVID-19 vaccine news from the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region, including the fallout from Iran’s ban on any imports of US- or UK-produced vaccines, Israel’s world-leading vaccination speed; and how Dubai Airports is working with GMR-Hyderabad to form a ‘vaccine corridor’.   Iran inks deal for Cuban…

Norway Photodynamic therapy (PDT) firm Photocure is probably Norway’s most significant recent international healthcare success story. CEO Dan Schneider explains how the company was able to action a more effective global commercial strategy and carve out a niche in the relatively uncrowded oncology drug-device combination market.   Despite its technology being…