BARDA takes steps to secure supply chain as more companies look to scale up manufacturing

HHS is taking steps to shore up the U.S.’s national supply chain and manufacturing capabilities after global disruptions in the early days of the COVID-19 crisis. The agency’s BARDA has closed a four-year, $354 million deal with Phlow Corp. to manufacture medicines needed during the pandemic and future public health emergencies.

Manufacturing continues to be a rate-limiting factor for COVID-19 countermeasures. Abivax S.A. (Euronext:ABVX) and NantKwest Inc. (NASDAQ:NK) have secured funding and materials to scale up manufacturing for their therapies as they near the clinic. Dynavax expects clinical testing to begin in July for a vaccine developed with its adjuvant. ...