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Today's Rundown

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Pfizer could score fast COVID vaccine nod, thanks to Hahn's promise of October FDA review: analyst

Pfizer told the CDC Wednesday that the phase 3 trial of its BioNTech-partnered coronavirus shot has enrolled some 15,000 patients—more than half its goal—which puts it on track for full enrollment next month, an analyst said. And FDA chief Steve Hahn's plan for an October advisory panel meeting means an approval could be close behind—just in time for the election.

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Top Stories

AHIP study: Out-of-network providers price-gouging insurers for COVID-19 tests

Out-of-network costs for COVID-19 testing far outpace the costs for in-network tests, according to a new report from America's Health Insurance Plans.

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Abbott to ship millions of $5, card-sized coronavirus tests offering 'digital health passes'

The FDA has given its green light to a new coronavirus test from Abbott, which will be sold for $5 and fits entirely on a device about the size of a credit card.

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12M have likely lost employer coverage amid COVID-19: report

As many as 12 million people have lost access to employer-sponsored coverage as a result of COVID-19, a new analysis shows.

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J&J, BARDA pick 7 startups to back in fight against COVID-19—and beyond

As the world scrambles to develop diagnostics, treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, one big question looms: How will we face the next pandemic? Johnson & Johnson and the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority are teaming up once again to answer that.

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Biopharma roundup: EU makes $396M downpayment on 300M-plus AstraZeneca shots

The EU made a $396 million downpayment for at least 300 million AstraZeneca vaccines. Pfizer's shot could snare approval by October, one analyst thinks. J&J teamed up with BARDA to support startups working on COVID-19. Regeneron will add 400 jobs at its Irish plant; plus, Vaccitech snared funding for a new COVID-19 shot.

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Healthcare roundup: More than $400B in COVID relief earmarked for healthcare industry

Follow along with the latest COVID-19 news straight from the Fierce Healthcare team.

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Hospital revenues, delayed elective surgeries top trends to watch over next year: survey

Drops in hospital revenue—largely due to cancellations of elective surgeries in the months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic—are expected to have the greatest impact across the industry over the next year, according to a new survey of healthcare leaders.

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U.S. Army taps Florida CDMO Ology with $106M work order for COVID-19 shots, therapeutics

With a suite of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics on their way to market, the federal government has been working to secure enough manufacturing capacity to meet demand. Now, the U.S. Army will pay big money to a Florida CDMO to snare millions of potential doses.

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Biotech behind AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine advances next-gen prospect

Vaccitech has received U.K. government funding for a COVID-19 vaccine that it thinks can improve on first-generation prospects such as the AstraZeneca jab it helped develop. 

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UPMC posts $59M operating income in first half of year as insurance business sees boost

An increase in UPMC's insurance business helped the health system overcome declines in patient volume in the first half of the year due to COVID-19.

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Regeneron plots 400 hires to handle increased workload amid COVID-19 cocktail production push

Regeneron and Swiss drugmaker Roche made waves earlier this month with a gargantuan manufacturing pact to triple production of a COVID-19 antibody candidate. But those big plans put a crunch on Regeneron's ability to churn out its regular meds, and now it's expanding at an Irish site to keep up. 

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