What's ahead for COVID-19 treatments after Pfizer says its antiviral pill works

Hello,

Welcome to Insider Healthcare. I'm healthcare editor Leah Rosenbaum, and this week in healthcare news:

• Some new COVID-19 treatments may be on the horizon;
• Our reporters got an exclusive look at some key healthcare leadership shakeups;
• Investors spoke about their top tips when it comes to investing in biotech.

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

New treatments for COVID-19 may be coming soon

This week the CDC gave the green light for kids aged 5-11 to get Pfizer's low-dose COVID-19 vaccine. Science editor Erin Schumaker wrote about what you need to know about this new authorization.

It wasn't only COVID-19 vaccines making headlines this week.

Andrew Dunn wrote about an even newer, promising antiviral pill from Pfizer that could reduce deaths and hospitalizations in high-risk patients by 89%.

And Merck's antiviral pill molnupiravir was approved in the UK to treat COVID-19.

Get the full story>>

'An extraordinary effect': Pfizer says its COVID-19 pill reduced the risk of hospitalization and death by 89% in high-risk patients

Healthcare companies are shaking up executive leadership

Shelby Livingston got a great scoop this week: Walmart has hired a new executive, Louisiana-based David Carmouche, to oversee its push into health clinics.

It's not the only exclusive our team got this week on company reshuffling.

Megan Hernbroth wrote about new leadership at Folx, a digital health company for LGBTQIA+, which recently hired three new C-suite executives.

See more>>

Walmart has hired a Louisiana health-system exec to lead its care organization as it expands its clinics and pushes into telehealth

VCs share their top tips when it comes to investing in new biotechs

This week, Allison DeAngelis wrote about biotech investing tips & tricks from leaders in the field.

At a recent event, ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood spoke about why she's betting big on synthetic biology.

And Allison also spoke to the team at MissionBio Capital, who are hoping that a new strategy of cofounding companies with entrepreneurs will pay off.

Check it out>>

Cathie Wood's Ark has been snapping up Ginkgo's and Zymergen's shaken stocks. Here's why she believes they can be worth 15% more in five years.

More stories that kept us busy this week:

• Shelby wrote about UnitedHealth's new plan to keep more patients in-house.
• Megan got a look at the pitchdeck that convinced investors to finance a startup that prevents cognitive decline in seniors.
• Andrew wrote about a partnership between GlaxoSmithKline and 23andMe to revive genetic drugs.
• Erin found that millions of Americans with mood disorders are already eligible for COVID-19 booster shots.
• Dr. Catherine Schuster-Bruce reported on a new COVID-19 vaccine that can be delivered through a patch, at least in mice.

-Leah