Published February 10. 2021 10:22PM
Gerry Shih, Washington Post
TAIPEI, Taiwan - For the World Health Organization, its fact-finding mission to China left many questions on the possible origins of the pandemic. In Beijing, however, the outcome was framed Wednesday as something solid: vindication and triumph.
The WHO s headline announcement - that it would rule out the possibility the virus accidentally leaked from a Wuhan lab - was hailed by Chinese officials and in state media as effectively silencing claims that China was hiding secrets and trying to deflect blame.
But some prominent public health experts in the West questioned whether China offered enough freedom for the WHO team to investigate fully Wuhan s piece of the global pandemic puzzle.
Fred Hutch, Univ. of Washington biotech spinout Ensoma launches with $70M in funding
February 11, 2021 at 9:15 am
Dr. Hans-Peter Kiem of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. (Fred Hutch Photo)
New spinout: Boston-based biotech startup Ensoma launched Thursday and announced a $70 million Series A funding round. The company is built on technology developed over two decades by Seattle researchers Dr. Hans-Peter Kiem of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Dr. André Lieber of the University of Washington School of Medicine.
The company will be based in Boston because the city “is the epicenter of biotech and Ensoma could quickly draw the talent, not only for research but as the company scales in manufacturing and clinical development,” said Paula Soteropoulos, the company’s executive chairman. The company’s lead investor and top leadership are also in Boston.
People might require regular booster shots to fight new variants of the virus.
But experts say it s impossible to vaccinate everyone yearly, so the virus will continue to circulate.
As the pandemic approaches its second year, the coronavirus has morphed into a tougher foe.
Several mutations that scientists have identified in rapidly spreading variants are particularly worrisome. They raise concerns that these strains will be more contagious or be able to at least partly evade protection provided by vaccines and by prior infections.
Let s be clear: No one knows how the next phase of the pandemic will play out. Is a new strain already spreading undetected or lurking around the corner? How effective will these vaccines be in the long run? And just when can we think about returning to schools and offices, or getting together with older relatives again?