A startup that's taking on Big Pharma just raised $500 million

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Today in healthcare news: EQRx has raised another $500 million, at least 50% of COVID-19 cases spread from people without symptoms, and some evidence that Pfizer's vaccine works against virus mutations.

EQRx, a startup that's taking on Big Pharma by making drugs cheaper, just raised $500 million

• EQRx, a company developing new drugs that'll compete with some of the highest-priced drugs on the market at a lower price, is moving faster than it expected.
• A year in, the startup just raised a fresh $500 million from investors including GV, Andreessen Horowitz, and Arch Venture Partners, as well as from private equity funds, health plans and health systems.
• It aims to get have its first treatment approved in the next "handful of years" and has brought on four cancer drugs that are in later stages of development.

Read the full story here>>

At least 50% of COVID-19 cases spread from people without symptoms, a new study found

• At least 50% of new COVID-19 cases are transmitted by people who don't show symptoms, according to a new study.
• That includes people who never display symptoms and those whose symptoms hadn't started yet.
• A study authors said findings underscore the need for people who feel healthy to follow public-health guidance on mask wearing and social distancing.

Read the full story from Susie Neilson here>>

Early study suggests Pfizer's vaccine is effective against coronavirus mutations

• A study by Pfizer and researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch indicates the company's COVID-19 vaccine is effective against mutations of the coronavirus.
• The study has not yet been peer-reviewed.
• "So we've now tested 16 different mutations, and none of them have really had any significant impact. That's the good news," Phil Dormitzer, a scientist at Pfizer, said Thursday. "That doesn't mean that the 17th won't," he added.

Read the full story from Charles Davis here>>

More stories we're reading:

• How West Virginia is winning the race to get COVID-19 vaccines into people's arms, including using its own pharmacies (NPR)
• Biden plans to release the entire coronavirus vaccine supply instead of reserving half to guarantee second doses (Business Insider)
• LA is facing its "New York Moment" as the virus overwhelms the largest county in the US (The New York Times)
• I felt totally fine after my first COVID-19 shot, but the second dose was rough. Here's what I did to manage the side effects and why I still think you should get the shot. (Business Insider)

- Lydia