The first half of 2021 was historic for biotech. The Food and Drug Administration cleared the first new Alzheimer’s drug in nearly two decades, a controversial decision with far-reaching consequences. Multiple effective coronavirus vaccines and antibody drugs helped bring the pandemic under control in the U.S., while the first-ever treatment for a common genetic driver of cancer won approval.
But there’s plenty more in store over the next six months or so, with important clinical trial results still to come. A big moment for gene editing, for instance, is just around the corner. A closely watched antiviral drug could change how COVID-19 is treated.