Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine Works Against Virus Variants In Lab; Arthritis Drugs Improve COVID-19 Survival

The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.

Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine protects against virus variants

The COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE appears to protect against highly transmissible new variants of the coronavirus discovered in Britain and South Africa, a laboratory study suggests. In blood samples from vaccine recipients, scientists found the vaccine appears effective against the so-called N501Y mutation of the spike protein on the virus, according to a report posted on Thursday on bioRxiv ahead of peer review. Pfizer scientist Phil Dormitzer said the vaccine has been tested against 16 mutations, and none have really had any significant impact. “That’s the good news,” he said, before adding a note of caution. “That doesn’t mean that the 17th won’t.” Ongoing testing will be needed, experts said, to allay concerns…