Several healthcare companies and researchers across the globe are burning the midnight oil for finding a safe and effective vaccine/treatment for deadly novel coronavirus.
Meanwhile, some concerns related to a second wave have triggered a global dilemma. Some studies have demonstrated recently that the novel coronavirus not only affects human lugs, it can also penetrate to other organs of the human body.
Experts stated that the novel coronavirus could infect the human brain and replicate small neuronal spheres called as 'mini-brains' growing ten times within three days. Nevertheless, until now, it is not clear whether the virus causes the brain infection or is it due to any other secondary damage.
At present, there is an urgent need for a vaccine or treatment for this deadly virus which has created havoc around the world.
Today, lets discuss five US-listed healthcare companies which are engaged in the development of COVID-19 vaccine:
Sinovac Biotech
China-based leading provider of biopharmaceutical products, Sinovac Biotech Ltd (NASDAQ:SVA) is focused on the R&D, manufacturing as well as commercialisation of vaccine for infectious diseases with significant unmet medical needs.
Sinovac is developing a vaccine named as CoronaVac that uses an inactive SARS-CoV-2 to generate an immune response against the active version of the virus.
AstraZeneca
UK-based global science-led biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca plc (NASDAQ:AZN) is into the discovery, development as well as commercialisation of prescription drugs, mainly for the treatment of ailments in the therapy areas of Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology.
Novavax
On 15 June 2020, Novavax disclosed that the Company had signed an agreement to sell Series A Convertible preferred stock, convertible into approximately 4,388,852 shares of common stock, to an RA Capital Management investment fund in a private placement, at an effective purchase price per share of common stock equal to the closing price on 12 June 2020. Upon closing, Novavax will receive gross proceeds of approximately US$200 million.
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