AstraZeneca Acquires Alexion

In the first bit of news beyond COVID-19 in the pharmaceutical world, AstraZeneca makes a splash in landing perhaps the most expensive acquisition of a biotech company. On Saturday, the UK based pharmaceutical giant revealed a $39 billion cash and stock deal for Alexion, a specialist in rare diseases in immunology. Historically, AZ had a …

Heroes Act Relief Bill – 350M Goes to USA’s Wealthiest

One of the biggest and most contentious efforts in the past few months was to pass a relief bill adequate enough for the American people. The Heroes Act, championed and passed by a Democratic House and now waiting for a Senate vote as part of a second stimulus check relief deal, attempts to do just …

Pfizer/BioNTech vs. Moderna – A Win for mRNA Vaccines

At the end of the day, the drug that receives FDA approval first will reap the most financial benefit for the company and shareholders. It will also be the first vaccine that will be rapidly deployed and distributed. But regardless who wins, this is a victory for mRNA vaccine research. Just two days ago, Moderna …

Notes on the Market: Increase in Deep Freezers

Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine for COVID-19, which recently achieved a 90% efficacy rate based on incomplete results, needs to be stored at 94 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Moderna's, as well, needs to be stored at 4 degrees below zero. There are two main takeaways here: the two leading mRNA treatments will have extremely large supply …

Pfizer’s Vaccine Victory is a Score for Free-Market Capitalists

Completely unregulated pharmaceutical companies is a very touchy subject - take a look at the marketing practices of some pharmaceutical companies and their contribution to the opioid crisis. However, the largest research-based pharmaceutical companies (think Johnson-Johnson, Pfizer, Merck) as well as biotech startups like Moderna, showcase their importance in the race to find a suitable …