France discovers new Covid variant IHU with 46 mutations amid 271,000 coronavirus infections, biggest one-day jump on record breaking French media are reporting that a new Covid variant with 46 mutations has been discovered in the country. The new strain, named IHU, has been discovered in the southwest of France and, according to multiple news outlets, intensive care and hospital admissions have been increasing in that region in recent days. So far, there are [...]
Boost white blood cells in immune system as they are able to fight off Omicron variant, Covid scientists find Covid research The immune system’s white blood cells are able to mount an immune response against the Omicron variant of Covid-19, according to a new study. Due to Omicron having a higher number of mutations than other Covid variants, it can sometimes slip past the antibodies created by vaccination or infection. However, if the virus still does [...]
South Africa offers the world a way out of Covid as Omicron is in full retreat: New infections down and death rate dropping Spectacular drop in new infections As Covid infection rates are dropping rapidly and tens of thousands of South Africans recovering from Omicron without having to go to hospital, it seems the country is heading for a healthy start of the year. In fact, Covid experts are all saying the same: the Omicron wave has passed and other countries can expect [...]
Omicron onslaught: Number of Brits with Covid jumps by nearly a million to 2.3m while NHS staff off sick with coronavirus doubles December 31, 2021 An estimated 2.3 million people in the UK had Covid-19 in the week ending December 23, up from 1.4 million in the week to December 16 and the highest number since comparable figures began in autumn 2020, the Office for National Statistics said. Meanwhile, the number of NHS hospital staff in England absent due to [...]
Coronavirus next year: First calls for fourth shot in UK are clear indication Covid vaccines are not going anywhere in 2022 December 24, 2021 A senior UK health official suggested this morning that Brits will need more than two Covid vaccines and a booster shot. A fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will “probably” be needed over the next few years, Scotland’s national clinical director said this morning. Scots have been asked to get a third dose of the [...]
GSK confirms former Tesco boss Sir Dave Lewis will head up £40bn spin-off December 20, 2021 Former Tesco boss Sir Dave Lewis is set to lead the £40bn separation of GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) consumer healthcare arm.
Pfizer targets Arena Pharmaceuticals in $6.7bn deal December 13, 2021 US drugmaker Pfizer today announced it has reached a $6.7bn deal to acquire Arena Pharmaceuticals, a company developing treatments for several immuno-inflammatory diseases. In a statement announcing the transaction, Pfizer said it will acquire all outstanding shares of Arena for $100 per share in an all-cash transaction – which represents a double premium on the [...]
South Africa upbeat as battle of the Covid mutations rages: Omicron deaths still zero despite new coronavirus variant spreading twice as fast as deadly Delta December 8, 2021 Scientists and policy makers in South Africa and across the region are cautiously optimistic that the rapidly spreading Omicron variant is not going to cause a bloodbath as, so far, no deaths have been linked to the new Covid mutation. Despite a record number of new infections – more than 40,000 people tested positive in [...]
Struggling Clinigen enters £1bn talks with Triton Investment Management December 3, 2021 Struggling UK pharmaceutical services company Clinigen is reportedly in talks with private equity Triton Investment Management for a takeover proposal worth £1bn. After the “non-binding indicative proposal” was announced, the company’s shares rocketed by almost 25 per cent on the London market, reaching 786.41p and then closing at 741.30p. “The board of Clinigen is in [...]
Healthcare regulator approves GlaxoSmithKline drug for severely ill Covid patients in UK December 2, 2021 A drug treatment which, the makers say, works against the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, has been approved by UK regulators. Xevudy (sotrovimab), made by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has been found to cut hospital admission and death by 79% in those at risk. The monoclonal antibody has been authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare [...]