Moderna confronts a $100 billion question

Hello,

Welcome to Insider Healthcare. I'm Zachary Tracer, and today in healthcare news:

• We examined Moderna's transformation, and what comes next;
• The head of the FDA is calling for a probe of her agency's decision to approve Aduhelm;
• Wondering if you've got COVID or the common cold? This chart might help.

If you're new to this newsletter, sign up here. Comments, tips? Email me at ztracer@insider.com or tweet @ztracer. Let's get to it...

We got an exclusive look inside Moderna's labs, where the biotech upstart is planning what comes after its blockbuster coronavirus vaccine

• Led by its coronavirus vaccine, Moderna has surged into the drug industry's top ranks.
• The biotech has rapidly expanded to boost production by hiring hundreds and opening new buildings.
• Insider visited Moderna's labs to learn about the biotech's plans beyond COVID-19.

See what's next>>

The head of the FDA is calling for an investigation into her agency's controversial decision to approve a new Alzheimer's drug

• Interim FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock has asked for an outside investigation into an Alzheimer's drug approval.
• The agency approved the drug, Aduhelm, last month, despite a lack of evidence showing the drug slowed the disease.
• Officials from Biogen and the FDA worked closely together to revive the drug, raising concerns.

Read more>>

COVID-19 symptoms are overlapping again with colds, flu, and seasonal allergies. Here's how to tell the difference.

• Respiratory infections may become more prevalent again now that Americans are ditching their masks.
• Some cold or flu cases could be easily confused with a mild COVID-19 infection.
• Headaches and runny noses seem to be more common among recent COVID-19 cases than past ones.

Learn the symptoms to watch for>>

More stories we're reading:

• Pfizer is set to brief US officials on why it thinks we'll need booster shots (The Washington Post)
• Virgin Galactic flew its billionaire founder Richard Branson to the edge of space, beating Jeff Bezos (Insider)
• Gun violence is surging in Philadelphia, and there have been almost 10 shootings a day so far this month (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
• See the medical specialties that make the most, and the least (The Advisory Board/Modern Healthcare)

-Zach