Kodak, Fujifilm and startups Civica Rx and Phlow fight with grit, vision and government support to restore US pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Private Company Edition: Several drug developers targeting neurological diseases raised venture capital recently. In addition to Nura Bio, Encoded Therapeutics revealed a $135m series D round. Also, Longwood closed a $170m fund and Flagship launched Omega Therapeutics with $85m.

Ousted BARDA Director Rick Bright's whistleblower complaint cites a long-pattern of political interference in scientific decisions making and could lead to overhauls in how BARDA and other HHS contracts are awarded to the drug industry. It could also impact how Congress funds BARDA, following a recent move by lawmakers to give the division more direct control of its funding. 

In whistleblower complaint, Rick Bright claims FDA Commissioner Hahn advocated for distributing hydroxychloroquine to pharmacies across the US, a departure from the approved emergency use authorization. Bright's complaint paints CDER Director Woodcock in a favorable light, saying she helped avoid an expanded access IND protocol for the potential coronavirus treatment.