The battle against the novel coronavirus is still ongoing, and several organizations across the healthcare industry are focusing their research and development activities, along with funding, toward developing diagnostic, therapeutics, and vaccines for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. BIS Research analysts present a snapshot of the latest advancements that are being observed by the healthcare industry.

Advancements Witnessed by the Healthcare Industry

• FDA expanded an emergency use authorization for Remdesivir by Gilead Sciences Inc.
• New Phase I data evaluating Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine suggest vaccine works better in elderly
• The total number of treatment option grew to 242 in July
• 55 investigational drugs currently being evaluated in phase 3 clinical trial, and 22 drugs obtained expanded access/compassionate use tag from the U.S. FDA
• Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached over 25,300,000

Vaccine Development and Trials

The total number of vaccine candidates as of August’20 is approximately 171 that is being evaluated by the food and drug associations (FDA). Among these, 31 vaccines are in the clinical phase, and 140 are in the pre-clinical stage. The experts estimate that a fast-tracked vaccine development process could speed the successful commercialization of a vaccine in the next 12-18 months.

These vaccine candidates are based on different technologies for development, include protein subunit, DNA and RNA, non-replicating viral vector, replicating viral vector, inactivated, virus-like particles (VLP), live attenuated virus, and a few new technologies as well.

Among these technologies, protein subunit technology captures the maximum share of the market, followed closely by DNA and RNA type vaccines. With companies gearing up for the Phase-3 trial of vaccines, several unique public and private partnerships are also witnessed. The competition in the market increases with several company and research institutes pitching for vaccine trials, include University of Oxford/AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Wuhan Institute of Biological Products/Sinopharm, Beijing Institute of Biological Products/Sinopharm, Moderna/NIAID, and BioNTech/Fosun Pharma/Pfizer, among others.

Therapeutics Stance for COVID-19

Recently, the WHO has established an international “Solidarity” clinical trial to help find an effective treatment for this disease. The trial aims to compare four treatment options against the standard of care to assess each of their relative effectiveness against COVID-19. 

Also, a surge in the treatment options with respect to cell-based therapy and plasma therapy has been witnessed by the healthcare industry. The key companies involved in the therapy development include Elli Lilly Corporation, Gilead Sciences Inc., AbbVie Inc., and GlaxoSmithKline, among others.

At present, several therapeutics are spread across different stages of trials. Out of these, the maximum percentage of therapeutics is in the pre-clinical stage, i.e., approximately 38.43%, followed by clinical phase 2, which has a share of around 23.97%.

Funding Scenario

In addition, the healthcare industry witnessed four major funding activities, pertaining to the companies focused toward COVID-19.

These activities include:

1. Novacyt received CE marking for its Winterplex PCR-based respiratory panel, which includes two gene targets specific to SARS-CoV-2, as well as gene targets for influenza A and B and respiratory syncytial virus that enable to differentiate SARS-CoV-2 from common winter infections.
2. Zymo Research received CE-IVD mark for its Quick SARS-CoV-2 rRT-PCR kit. Following CE Mark approval the real-time reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) kit became available in the European Union and other countries that accept the designation.
3. Ender Diagnostics received CE marking for its ender Mass PCR test to detect SARS-CoV-2, following which the company launched the test for use in the European Union and other countries that accept the designation. The test enables rapid diagnosis in critical settings and provide results from a nasopharyngeal swab in 30 minutes.
4. Snibe Diagnostics received the CE mark for its fully automated quantitative serology test that detects IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2S-RBD, the receptor-binding domain of S protein.

Several such updates have been captured by the analysts at BIS Research. To get the latest on COVID-19-related developments in diagnosis, therapeutic areas, and vaccine market download your copy of Monthly Snapshot on COVID-19.