The UK government has placed an order for 60 million doses of an experimental COVID-19 vaccine from Valneva for about $555 million. The deal includes an additional investment that CEO Thomas Lingelbach says will help double the footprint of Valneva’s manufacturing site in Livingston, Scotland, and allow it to produce 100 million to 150 million doses annually.

Cidara Therapeutics is hoping that its novel approach to influenza will prevent future “twindemic” double threats like the one we may face this year. With their proprietary Cloudbreak® antiviral platform, Cidara is developing long-acting therapeutics designed to improve the standard of care for patients with serious fungal or viral infections.

Arrowhead is one of the leading companies researching RNA interference, a Nobel Prize-winning technology that has been aimed at an array of chronic and genetic diseases.

Valneva SE has announced a vaccine partnership with the UK Government for its inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, covering up to 190 million doses.

Vaxart will start a Phase 1 clinical trial for its oral COVID-19 vaccine candidate, having received Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance.

Valneva, a France-based biotech company, is currently developing a drug that has the potential to treat Lyme disease. Called VLA15, the drug is in phase two of trials and the company is already planning for phase three.

Orasis Pharmaceuticals is one of several biotechs developing miotic-based eye drops as a potential alternative to reading glasses — one drop, and no more squinting at text messages. With the help of a $30 million Series C, the Israel-based company has its sights set on Phase III.