The number of drug development programs targeting COVID-19 reached 800—but we’ve also seen delays and pauses in some of the late-stage trials. BIO’s Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath appeared on MSNBC to talk about the latest developments—and reassure us that science will bring us to the finish line.
The latest news:Johnson & Johnson recently restarted its phase 3 clinical trial after a brief delay over safety concerns, while Pfizer said yesterday that efficacy data from its trial may come later than expected.
“This is not unexpected to see adverse events in any clinical trial,” said BIO President and CEO Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath on Morning Joe. “This is the ups and downs of normal medical research.”
We’re seeing “incredible transparency and amazing amounts of communication” from companies, she continued. “The public should be reassured by how the companies are really reaching out to be sure that they’re aware of absolutely everything that happens.”
“I think we can expect to see vaccines early in 2021, and you’ll see them in wide distribution probably by the spring of next year,” she concluded.
Watch her discuss the timeline in more detail:
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