Erste Asset Management Investment Blog

THIS AUTHOR'S POSTS

Miracle drug semaglutide: slim by injection
Miracle drug semaglutide: slim by injection
(c) unsplash

Miracle drug semaglutide: slim by injection

Originally, the Danish company Novo Nordisk wanted to develop Semaglutid as a drug for diabetes 2 patients. However, the appetite-reducing effect of the drug soon became apparent, making semaglutide a miracle cure for obesity. While Novo Nordisk’s share price has risen significantly since then, possible side effects of the drug are now also being examined.

Covid vaccinations: Apathy follows euphoria
Covid vaccinations: Apathy follows euphoria
(c) unsplash

Covid vaccinations: Apathy follows euphoria

If you ask around in your own circle of acquaintances, you will find that the vaccination coverage rate is now significant. In Austria, it seems, everyone who really wants a vaccination has already received at least a partial vaccination – regardless of prioritization, age or medical history. The EU vaccination rate lags about 6 weeks […]

Covid Vaccines – From Race to Chase
Covid Vaccines – From Race to Chase
(c) unsplash

Covid Vaccines – From Race to Chase

Covid vaccine distribution has begun in much of the developed world. Politicians, commentators and citizens criticize the slow start to immunizations. But like the Tour de France: What counts is not who wears the yellow jersey during the first stage, but who crosses the finish line first at the end. Three factors are crucial to that: vaccine supply, vaccine distribution and, most importantly, vaccination acceptance.

COVID-19 Update: Moderna reports preliminary results from phase 3 vaccine trial
COVID-19 Update: Moderna reports preliminary results from phase 3 vaccine trial
(c) unsplash

COVID-19 Update: Moderna reports preliminary results from phase 3 vaccine trial

U.S. biotech company Moderna reported positive results from the first interim analysis of its Covid mRNA vaccine candidate. The IA found that of the 95 identified Covid cases in the study population 90 occurred in the placebo group, thus yielding a vaccine efficacy of 94,4%.

Covid Vaccine: Pfizer, BioNTech and the beginning of the end?
Covid Vaccine: Pfizer, BioNTech and the beginning of the end?
(c) unsplash

Covid Vaccine: Pfizer, BioNTech and the beginning of the end?

In a press release on November 9, Pfizer gave a first taste of the results of the Phase 3 study of the Covid vaccine, which was jointly developed with German biotech company BioNTech. With an estimated efficacy of 90% and the start of the vaccination campaign possibly as early as January 2021, there is light at the end of the tunnel. But some hurdles still remain.

COVID-19 Update from the Investment Division: Russia to the Rescue?
COVID-19 Update from the Investment Division: Russia to the Rescue?
(c) unsplash

COVID-19 Update from the Investment Division: Russia to the Rescue?

Researchers from Moscow-based Gamaleya institute, an offshoot of the Russian Ministry of Health, published detailed phase 1/2 results of their COVID-19 vaccine in the Lancet. If true (remember that we are talking about Russia), these results imply that their vaccine is both effective and has a tolerable safety profile which would make it a strong contender in the international race to defeat COVID-19.