COVID infections increase, but we’re better protected

While we get ready to evolve to a new format for the rest of the summer, we feel like it’s a good day to check in on COVID-19 and how far we’ve come—thanks to the biotech industry’s efforts we’ve been covering for 4+ years. Plus, a proposed rule change from CMS represents a positive step toward better patient access to cutting-edge Alzheimer’s treatments. (624 words, 3 minutes, 7 seconds)

COVID infections increase, but we’re better protected – thanks to biotech

In what’s become an annual event, the summer COVID-19 “bump” is underway, but vaccination is fueling immunity rates that prevent serious outcomes.

What’s happening: Emergency room visits for COVID-19 increased 18.2% in the last week of June, and the latest data on hospitalization, from June 15, shows a 13.3% rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The most common current variants are the Omicron KP.3 (24.5%) and KP.2 (21.5%), with KP.3 expected to increase its dominance, the CDC says.

Vaccines remain the best protection. The CDC recommends everyone receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall. The current COVID-19 vaccines, which target the XBB strain, offer some protection against KP.3 and KP.2, but the FDA recommends the next update for fall specifically target the KP.2 variant.

Vaccination changed COVID’s impact: Deaths from COVID-19 decreased 25% in the last week of June, according to the CDC. Only four years ago, before vaccines saved millions of lives, COVID-19 was untreatable, more deadly, and very frightening.

How we got here: Shortly after Good Day BIO launched, we reported on Feb. 25, 2020, that the first COVID vaccine from Moderna was ready for testing. Since then, we’ve covered the trials—clinical and emotional—and victories in biotech’s battle to control COVID-19. We’ll keep up the coverage of biotech breakthroughs in your inbox and at Bio.News.

CMS would improve coverage of diagnostic that supports Alzheimer's treatment

A rule change proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) represents a positive step toward better patient access to cutting-edge Alzheimer’s treatments.

The news: CMS recommends improved reimbursement for radiopharmaceuticals used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans in their 984-page proposal for Medicare-Medicaid payment changes, to be published in the Federal Register on July 22.

Why it matters: PET scans for beta-amyloid brain plaque help determine whether an Alzheimer’s patient would benefit from recently approved drugs targeting brain plaque, Biogen and Eisai’s LEQEMBI and Eli Lilly’s Kisunla. Improved diagnostic reimbursement from CMS increases access to these treatments.

What they’re saying: "Lilly is encouraged by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposal to establish a more appropriate provider reimbursement policy for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals. Diagnostics are a critical step at the beginning of an Alzheimer’s patient’s care journey, and we look forward to working with the agency and partners to support policies that address payment issues and enhance patient access to important diagnostic tools," says a statement from Eli Lilly.

What more could be done? CMS still stipulates coverage with evidence development (CED) for anti-plaque treatments, meaning physicians giving the treatments must enter data in a registry. Eliminating the CED requirement would go further toward increasing access.

For over 20 years, California Life Sciences (CLS) has recognized leaders in biotech, pharma, and other life sciences sectors with the Pantheon Awards.

Who can be nominated? Outstanding performers and companies based in California, in academia, biopharma, convergent technologies, emerging innovation, leadership, health equity, and future leadership. This year’s new Impact Award recognizes a life sciences organization demonstrating “continuous commitment to making a positive, lasting impact in their local community.”

Who wins? Last year, BIO members BioMarin and Twist Bioscience won Pantheon Awards.

Click here to learn more and nominate a California biotech leader by August 15.

President Biden’s Friday: Campaigning in Wayne County, MI, as he seeks to shore up the “blue wall,” per AP.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: A quiet day in DC. Further afield, Frank Watanabe, President and CEO of Arcutis Biotherapeutics and a BIO Board Member, will testify at a House Ways and Means Committee “Field Hearing on Access to Health Care in America: Unleashing Medical Innovation and Economic Prosperity,” in Salt Lake City. We'll have a recap in our new weekly digest on Monday morning.