COVID-19

[Acta Physiologica] Given the ability of SARS-COV-2 to infect human pluripotent stem cell-derived pancreatic cells in vitro and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in pancreatic samples from COVID-19 patients strongly hints that SARS-CoV-2 can invade the pancreas and directly cause pancreatic injury and diabetes.

[Nature Communications] Investigators obtained two cross-neutralizing antibodies that target Sarbecoviruses’ receptor-binding domain with sub-picomolar affinities and potently neutralize authentic SARS-CoV-2.

[Pfizer, Inc.] Pfizer, Inc. announced the start of the Phase II/III EPIC-PEP (Evaluation of Protease Inhibition for COVID-19 in Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) study to evaluate the investigational novel oral antiviral candidate PF-07321332, co-administered with a low dose of ritonavir, for the prevention of COVID-19 infection.

[ANP Technologies, Inc. (BusinessWire, Inc.)] ANP Technologies, Inc. announced that it has received Emergency Use Authorization for its NIDS® COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit from the FDA.

[BetterLife Pharma Inc.] BetterLife Pharma Inc. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Altum Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile have enrolled the first patient in the Phase I portion of the Phase I-II randomized placebo controlled in COVID-19 patients. The trial tests BetterLife’s proprietary inhaled interferon alpha-2b product, AP-003.

[Blood Cancer Discovery] Researchers analyzed anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibody titers and neutralizing Ab among 217 recipients of cellular treatments.