A similar approach—a broad-spectrum antiviral in the form of a nasal spray—has been taken by Leyden Labs in the Netherlands, who recently struck a deal for a €40M Series A funding round to advance its product.

The next generation of Covid-19 vaccines in development could come as a pill or a nasal spray and be easier to store and transport than the current handful of shots that form the backbone of the world-wide vaccination effort.

Vaxart is among the first to take an oral COVID-19 vaccine into the clinic. “Making the vaccine is only part of the problem,” says CSO and founder Sean Tucker. “The rate-limiting step will be how fast can you put it in people’s arms.”

By measuring the functional MAPK activity of different RAS mutations, researchers have developed a method they believe could help identify patients with RAS-mutated cancers likely to benefit from MEK inhibitors like trametinib (Novartis’ Mekinist).

Celularity is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on the next evolution in cellular medicine by developing off-the-shelf placenta-derived allogeneic cell therapies, including genetically modified natural killer (NK) cells and T cells engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T cells) that target indications across cancer as well as infectious and degenerative diseases . . .

Imagine a future where such diseases as Multiple Sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s and Parkinson’s Disease can be controlled or stopped altogether.

The company, Valneva SE, has a vaccine that could be more variant-proof, giving it an edge over other shots in what may be an annual campaign against a disease that’s already killed more than 3 million people. The first participant in its phase three trials will be dosed this week. If successful, that could lead to an approved shot in the fall.