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.

Which is why OSE Immunotherapeutics is developing a vaccine that aims to be pan-coronavirus. The formulation for CoVepiT, which focuses on inducing a lasting T cell immune response, is made up of 11 total viral targets. This way, even if one changes, there are still 10 other potentially valid targets.