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Pharma Stands United Against COVID-19

This is perhaps the first time in the history of the pharmaceutical industry that the major rivals have joined hands against COVID-19, a novel coronavirus, which has engulfed the entire world. Various stakeholders have come together to contain the spread of the virus. There are more than 30 partnerships (13 with Asian firms) at present between various patrons across the globe, in a race to find a cure for the virus. Could these collaborations change the future of the pharma industry? Let’s find out.

“Covid-19 Highlighted The Limitations Of Our Current Healthcare Infrastructure”

COVID-19 has exposed the inadequacies in the healthcare industry, which is now evolving through vigorous transformation. The Asia Pacific (APAC) region is embracing digital transformation in the healthcare ecosystem. According to a 2020 report by Bain & Company, the APAC region is set to represent more than 40 per cent of growth in global healthcare spending over the next decade, expanding at a rate almost double than that of the rest of the world. This also means that APAC stakeholders have an unprecedented opportunity to transform the region’s healthcare landscape through collaboration and networking tools. Dirk Dumortier, Head of Business Development, Smart City and Healthcare (Asia Pacific) at Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, Singapore, shared his views with BioSpectrum Asia about the new framework for healthcare delivery. Edited excerpts;

“APAC, post-COVID-19, will see an explosion of innovation in digital health”

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic plaguing countries worldwide has created unprecedented change for the global economy, especially healthcare institutions at the forefront. Hospitals across the world are facing never before seen challenges that have accelerated the development of technological innovations. As we navigate the complexities of the virus and the amount of disruption it has brought about, one thing is certain – COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future. It’s time to focus on this new reality and how we can achieve a sense of normalcy. Dr. Ian Chuang, who is currently the Chief Medical Officer at Elsevier shares his insights on how the healthcare ecosystem can prepare for the ‘new normal’ in a post-COVID-19 world. Edited excerpts;

Time for Asian pharma to up their AI game

The excitement around Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) potential to transform the drug discovery process has been building up in the biopharma industry. AI-drug discovery startups have boomed in the last decade and billions of dollars have already been poured on the promise of an efficient and agile drug discovery process.

Merck opens largest M Lab collaboration center in Shanghai

Merck, a leading science and technology company, opened its M Lab Collaboration Center in Shanghai, the company’s largest of nine centers worldwide.

Defining moment for digital transformation of healthcare

The healthcare industry continues to grapple with rising cases of COVID-19 globally. It has been inspiring by how the healthcare community has come together to combat the pandemic with unwavering commitment, quickly adapting and taking full advantage of the technologies at hand to care for their patients. COVID-19 has been a catalyst for change, accelerating digital transformation in many areas healthcare. This starts at the very beginning of the patient pathway, with precision diagnosis, the compass for effective treatment.

“Australia has limited access to testing facilities on live virus for development purposes”

Australia based biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing organization Luina Bio has recently partnered with XING Technologies in Brisbane to co-develop and manufacture a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnostic kit. The COVID-19 detection technology is based on a temperature-stable molecule utilizing Xing patented technology. With a total investment of A$ 12 million so far for the development of this product, Luina Bio is gearing up efforts to fight this pandemic. Les Tillack, Chief Executive Officer, Luina Bio recently spoke to BioSpectrum Asia on how the startup is driving various initiatives against COVID-19. Edited excerpts;

Investing to control infectious diseases for future generations

Be it the Ebola epidemic in 2013 or the Zika outbreak in 2015 or more recently the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, infectious diseases are on the rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that infectious diseases kill more than 17 million people a year. 22 new diseases have emerged in the last 30 years. According to the vital signs report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), illnesses from mosquito, tick and flea bites have tripled during the 13 years from 2004 through 2016. What can be done to prevent and manage the infectious diseases? Let’s find out.

“Emerging evidence reports saliva sampling is sensitive than nasopharyngeal swabs”

The use of saliva to test for COVID-19 is being considered an important step by the health authorities as Singapore ramps up its testing capacity. Molecular diagnostic startup Lucence is supporting this initiative with its newly developed saliva testing kit. BioSpectrum Asia reached out to Dr. Tan Min-Han, Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director, Lucence, Singapore to find out more about the company’s contributions. Edited excerpts;

CEPI, Clover Biopharma advance COVID-19 vaccine development

CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations in Norway, has announced the expansion of its partnership with China-based Sichuan Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. to rapidly advance the development and manufacture of Clover’s protein-based COVID-19 S-Trimer vaccine candidate, which is based on Clover’s proprietary Trimer-Tag vaccine technology platform.

Firms Racing To Develop Antibody Treatment For Covid-19

The Coronavirus COVID-19 has raged the world and has infected 8,993,659 cases and killed 469,587 (as of June 23, 2020. Source World Health Organization (WHO)). Pharma firms, scientists and governments all over the world are racing to find a cure for the virus. The entire world is waiting for the vaccine; Moderna’s mRNA vaccine will begin phase III study in July. Amidst all this, some biopharma companies are pushing to develop antibody-based treatments for the virus. Does that have any merit? Why are firms putting billions of dollars into it when vaccines are the ultimate solution? Let’s find out.

So Far Covid-19 Has Limited Impact On Our Business

Established by Dr Samantha Du in 2014, China-based Zai Lab, a biopharmaceutical company, has an impressive track record.

“We see already a higher awareness of why life science needs to be a priority for Japan and Australia”

Cytiva (formerly part of GE Healthcare Life Sciences), a global provider of technologies and services that advance and accelerate the development and manufacture of therapeutics, has joined hands with Takara Bio to manufacture a DNA vaccine candidate for COVID-19.

Daiichi Sankyo enters research collaboration for COVID-19

The University of Tokyo, RIKEN, Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical and Daiichi Sankyo in Japan have reached a basic agreement on collaborative R&D on a Nafamostat inhalation formulation for the treatment of novel coronavirus infection.

“Investment will flow towards digital solutions to augment treatment”

In 2017, Dr Ruchir Mehra, Harsh V Bansal, and Richeek Arya, came together and started Remedo as a digital engagement platform to help doctors effectively manage their patients with chronic diseases, providing end-to-end care in their recovery process.

Controversial papers in NEJM and The Lancet - A KNEE-JERKER DURING PANDEMIC?

Praised as a potential miracle cure, hundreds of trials got initiated across the globe for HCQ. Scientists started trying the drugs in low and high doses; alone or combined with other drugs in patients with mild or severe disease. But this hope recently got struck by a big blow when a study came along claiming that these antimalarial drugs not only look ineffective, but are downright deadly.

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.

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.

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.

“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?

“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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

“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?

Taiwan's Success Story In Combating Covid-19

COVID-19 has unravelled the potency and the feebleness of most geographical region’s healthcare, technical, social and political structure. While countries are anticipating various dimensions to tackle coronavirus and combat the pandemic, Taiwan’s success in controlling COVID-19 has bolstered its global standing despite the close geographical proximity with China. The resilient island aggregated its forces to tackle the virus and circumstances rationally with well-established pandemic control strategies, bio medical assets, advanced IoT capabilities, impeccable healthcare system and a well organised political force. Taiwan apparently grappled the coronavirus incredibly well and is now keen to offer medical and technical assistance to other countries in this global crisis.

Is China's Healthcare Industry Going To Gain From Covid-19 Crisis?

COVID-19 has shaken the world and caused enormous challenges to economies and people’s lives. China being the epicenter of the epidemic has been hit particularly hard. The COVID-19 outbreak has brought more attention to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Experts believe that this outbreak will serve as a catalyst to the transformation of the sector in China. How would this public health crisis change China’s healthcare industry, which was projected to be worth $2.4 trillion by 2030? Let’s find out.

“We are increasing our inventory of select raw materials to minimize supply disruption”

US-headquartered West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., a global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, recently named Stewart Campbell as the Vice President & General Manager for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

“The biggest challenge that India is facing now is the skewed ratio between population & limited resources”

BIOSPECTRUM WEBINAR ON “EXPLORING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF COVID-19”