The Biden administration will push to expand the use of COVID-19 antiviral pills in the U.S., with a focus on Pfizer’s Paxlovid. The administration’s first step will be to make Paxlovid and Merck’s molnupiravir available at more locations, including pharmacies, urgent care centers and community health centers. (STAT)
Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan announced that renowned Bernstein health analyst Ronny Gal will join the company to lead its integrated strategy and growth team. Gal is “widely recognized for his deep thematic research across therapeutic areas, technology platforms and key industry topics,” the company said in a statement. (Endpoints News)
The Food and Drug Administration approved Gilead’s COVID-19 drug remdesivir for young children. It becomes the first COVID-19 drug to be approved for children under the age of 12. (Reuters)
Researchers have pinpointed how early-stage breast cancer spreads to other organs. Scientists at Mount Sinai’s Tisch Cancer Institute found that the cancer gene HER2 suppresses another gene and allows pre-cancerous cells to transfer to other organs. (CNBC Weekly)
World Health Organization officials are increasingly worried that U.S. and European countries easing COVID-19 restrictions could muddle the global fight against the virus. As case counts decrease in the U.S., many low-income countries still need primary vaccinations. (Politico)
