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Editor’s Note: In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Fierce COVID-19 Update will not be publishing on Monday, Jan. 18. We will be back in your inboxes Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Today's Rundown

Featured Story

Here are the top healthcare items in Biden's proposed $1.9T COVID-19 relief plan

By Robert King

President-elect Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan includes some major help for providers such as new money for supplies and federal protection for frontline healthcare workers from unsafe working conditions.

Ex-FDA chief David Kessler tapped to lead COVID-19 vaccine scale-up for Biden team

By Angus Liu

With Moncef Slaoui’s final days as a co-leader of Operation Warp Speed ticking away, President-elect Joe Biden has picked an FDA veteran to guide the COVID-19 vaccine scale-up.

Microsoft, Epic, and Mayo Clinic join effort to accelerate digital COVID-19 vaccine records

By Heather Landi

Big names in tech and healthcare including the Mayo Clinic, Cigna's Evernorth, and Microsoft are teaming up on an effort to enable digital vaccination records. The coalition is developing a standard model for organizations administering COVID-19 vaccines to make credentials available in an accessible, interoperable, digital format.

Sinopharm claims COVID-19 vaccine safe in kids aged 3 and up

By Nick Paul Taylor

A clinical trial has found a COVID-19 vaccine in development at a Sinopharm subsidiary to be safe in children aged three to 17 years, according to Chinese state media.

Cambridge Univ. researchers develop DNA test for COVID-19’s secondary, hospital-acquired infections

By Conor Hale

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a DNA test to help spot dangerous secondary infections that may develop during COVID-19 treatment—such as cases of pneumonia associated with ventilator equipment provided during intensive care.

Thermo Fisher picks up Novasep’s viral vector business for $878M outright

By Conor Hale

Thermo Fisher's CEO said 2021 will see the company quickly accelerate its long-term plans, including a full pipeline of M&A deals. He wasn’t kidding.

Parexel, Signify join forces to better diversity in clinical trials

By Ben Adams

Parexel is teaming up with Signify Health to better understand the diversity of patients in clinical trials and re-model their studies accordingly.

Evernorth CEO outlines top priorities in 2021

By Robert King

The head of Cigna's health services subsidiary Evernorth said behavioral health and musculoskeletal care are two major priorities going into 2021.

Established relationships were key to pandemic drug launches, Incyte CEO says

By Eric Sagonowsky

COVID-19 lockdowns last year brought challenges for companies in nearly every industry—including pharmaceutical companies trying to get the word out about new drugs. But for companies with established connections, technology served as a suitable temporary substitute to in-person meetings, Incyte CEO Hervé Hoppenot said in an interview.

Eli Lilly chips $30M into VC fund aimed at minority-owned healthcare companies

By Amirah Al Idrus

Eli Lilly invested $30 million in Unseen Capital Health Fund, a venture fund aimed at supporting founders of early-stage healthcare companies who are Black or of other racial minorities. In addition to identifying, funding and supporting minority-led businesses, the fund will also target companies working on solutions for marginalized communities.

CHS reports net operating revenue of nearly $12B in 2020, outlines 2021 guidance

By Robert King

Community Health Systems announced net revenue for 2020 of between $11.7 and $11.8 billion and gave a preview of the earnings it anticipates for 2021.

Biopharma roundup: Norway investigates deaths linked to Pfizer vaccine; Sinopharm says COVID shot safe in kids

By Fraiser Kansteiner,Eric Sagonowsky,Angus Liu,Conor Hale

The Norwegian Medicines Agency has received reports of 23 deaths that could be linked to Pfizer's vaccine. Sinopharm's CNBG unit said one of its pandemic vaccines was safe in children as young as three years. The University of Cambridge is rolling out a DNA test to help spot secondary infections during COVID-19 treatment.

COVID-19 Tracker

Featured Story

Here are the top healthcare items in Biden's proposed $1.9T COVID-19 relief plan

Top Stories

Ex-FDA chief David Kessler tapped to lead COVID-19 vaccine scale-up for Biden team

Microsoft, Epic, and Mayo Clinic join effort to accelerate digital COVID-19 vaccine records

Sinopharm claims COVID-19 vaccine safe in kids aged 3 and up

Cambridge Univ. researchers develop DNA test for COVID-19’s secondary, hospital-acquired infections

Thermo Fisher picks up Novasep’s viral vector business for $878M outright

Parexel, Signify join forces to better diversity in clinical trials

Evernorth CEO outlines top priorities in 2021

Established relationships were key to pandemic drug launches, Incyte CEO says

Eli Lilly chips $30M into VC fund aimed at minority-owned healthcare companies

CHS reports net operating revenue of nearly $12B in 2020, outlines 2021 guidance

Biopharma roundup: Norway investigates deaths linked to Pfizer vaccine; Sinopharm says COVID shot safe in kids