Pain relief product sales grew 27% and upper respiratory sales 35% for the week ended 7 March as consumers respond to COVID-19, according to Nielsen data noted in a Jefferies report on consumer health purchasing trends. Private label market share is up slightly, while OTC purchases continue primarily in conventional stores.

Managing partner Corey Goodman said venBio didn’t have trouble closing its fund, because the venture capital firm prepared its investors for an economic downturn months ago.

The US FDA has proposed moving two categories of hepatitis C diagnostics to class II from class III because they pose relatively low risk.