Stimulus bill packs a windfall for FDA and Covid-19 drug, vaccine developers
Biopharma companies and the FDA will be mostly pleased with the latest congressional Covid-19 relief package, which offers billions in new funds to fight the pandemic. The Senate signed off on the $1.9 trillion bill on Saturday afternoon and the House is expected to give its OK tomorrow.
The package, stuffed with stimulus checks and state and local aid, will provide the FDA with $500 million to continue its quick evaluations of Covid-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. The agency also may use the new funds to help with its backlogged inspections, to oversee and potentially prevent drug shortages caused by the pandemic, and — an ongoing pet project of acting FDA commissioner Janet Woodcock — aid in the development of continuous manufacturing.
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