California biotech also notes prior licensing deal with Gilead for mitochondrial candidate. Twentyeight-Seven acquires RNA-splicing cancer candidate from Basilea.

It takes a lot of negotiation with regulators, advisory boards, and alignment between commercial and portfolio management teams to define and agree a clinical trial protocol. Why on earth would companies change it once a study is underway?

The current coronavirus vaccines focus on the spike protein but the UK's Scancell believes it has a candidate that also targets the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein which could help tackle existing and future variants.

The leaked abstract suggests remdesivir provides no benefits for patients - but analysts say conclusions are hard to draw from underpowered trial.