Infectious Diseases

Following in the steps of Merck & Co. and GSK, Pfizer is turning to a Chinese partner to more broadly market one of its top vaccines in the country - but the US firm is going one step further.

At the recent World Bio Summit in Seoul, global health leaders discussed international cooperation strategies and policies to prepare for the next pandemic, with a focus on rapid vaccine development.

Humira currently holds the record as the bestselling drug ever. But Keytruda is coming for its crown – and beyond that, Zepbound.

GSK is betting on a new partnership to more quickly ramp up patient access to its vaccines in the potentially vast market of China, amid rising demand and competition.

Zoliflodacin could become the first new antibiotic for treating gonorrhea in decades, but can it change guidelines?

GSK has enjoyed a better-than-expected launch for its RSV vaccine, but emphasized that it was still early days, and the firm is not altering its £3bn peak annual sales forecast for the product.

Deal Snapshot: Seeking to develop a combination regimen for chronic hepatitis B, GSK acquires rights to J&J/Arrowhead’s siRNA candidate JNJ-3839 to pair with its antisense candidate bepiroversen.

Results from a Phase III trial testing the RSV vaccine Arexvy in adults 50-59 met the two primary endpoints, potentially opening the door to a wider adult market.

But the partners will have to avoid the pitfalls that have bedevilled several other expensive licensing deals.

Gilead gets option rights to Assembly’s entire virology pipeline, including future assets, for herpesvirus and hepatitis B and D. The deal provides financial stability and opt-in potential for Assembly.

The US biotech major says that preliminary data show that its mRNA-1083 combination vaccine yielded antibody levels in the blood similar to or greater than two Sanofi flu vaccines and its own COVID-19 shot Spikevax.

The GSK-led joint venture has taken the lead in long-acting HIV treatment and prevention but has put back timelines on a key self-administered candidate.