Oct. 6 Quick Takes: BARDA whistleblower quits NIH; plus COVID-19 updates from Vir-GSK, BioNTech, Pfizer, $115M B round for Talaris and more

Former BARDA Director Bright leaving NIH
Rick Bright, the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and HHS deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response, has resigned from NIH, according to a statement by his attorneys. Bright also filed an updated complaint “alleging constructive discharge based on the failure of NIH leadership to assign him any meaningful work.” In a whistleblower complaint filed in May, Bright alleged that cronyism has crippled the U.S. pandemic response, enriching undeserving entrepreneurs and politically potent consultants who siphoned funds that could and should have been used to mount a defense against COVID-19. 

Vir-GSK mAb advancing into Phase III for COVID-19
Vir Biotechnology Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR) and GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK) said the Phase II/III COMET-ICE study of VIR-7831, their mAb targeting SARS-CoV-2, is proceeding into its Phase III portion on the recommendation of an IDMC. The companies expect data on the primary endpoint next quarter, although interim data could be available around year-end...