Many industry leaders expect broad progress in the field of RNA technologies following the rapid and successful roll-out of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 last year. Genetic medicines of various types, emerging platforms for tackling previously “undruggable” targets and the microbiome were among other areas singled out as areas to watch in 2022.

In addition to our daily in-depth coverage of key regulatory events relating to the coronavirus pandemic, we’re bringing you selected brief insights into the impact on biopharma commercial activities.

Bharat Biotech has joined hands with University of Wisconsin–Madison and US-based FluGen to develop a nasal vaccine against COVID-19, becoming one of only two entities taking the intranasal, more convenient route of administration. Separately, Bharat's chikungunya vaccine is expected to enter Phase III by December 2020.

Suzhou-based immuno-oncology specialist CStone raised a $260m Series B round and Brii launched with $260m in Series A cash to develop drugs for the China market. Also, multiple start-ups launched recently with more than $50m in Series A rounds, including Ansun, Beam, Casma, Celsius and Neurana.