BRIEF—EMA next to jump on coronavirus response bandwagon

Following in the footsteps of pharma companies, trade associations and non-governmental organizations, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has become the latest to say what it is doing in response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Guido Rasi, the agency's executive director, said: “The EMA has activated its plan for managing emerging health threats.

"The new coronavirus has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization, and we are drawing on the strong expertise of the European medicines network to provide fast-track scientific advice and give prompt feedback on any proposed medicine developments.”

"The agency says that it is surveying the landscape for potential antivirals or vaccines to treat or prevent novel coronavirus infections, and is analyzing all available information on drug developers’ pipelines. It wants to hear from any companies working on medicinal products or vaccines that could be used for treatment or prevention."