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Novel coronavirus emerges in Wuhan, China

The World Health Organization (WHO) This link will open in a new window is informed about a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. Less than two weeks later, the virus's genetic sequence is shared with scientists around the world. This crucial first step enables development of tests, medicines and vaccines to begin. Within a few days, candidate vaccines are underway and industry researchers begin testing the antiviral capacity of existing molecules in their libraries.

The first genome sequence of a newly emerging coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is shared through GISAID This link will open in a new window, a global science initiative that provides open access to genomic influenza and coronavirus data.

As viral-vector vaccines and adenovirus-based vaccines are investigated, Moderna and the US National Institute of Health launch a collaboration This link will open in a new window to see if a vaccine using mRNA technology could be used in the fight against the virus.

Moderna and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) agree to develop an mRNA vaccine This link will open in a new window against COVID-19, in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Johnson & Johnson and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre (BIDMC) agree to research an adenovirus-based vaccine This link will open in a new window against COVID-19.

Working closely with global health authorities, Gilead tests the potential of remdesivir This link will open in a new window, an antiviral compound, to treat COVID-19. Remdesivir was originally developed during the Ebola outbreak but set aside when other therapeutics proved more effective againt Ebola.

The first clinical batch of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine candidate is completed. Two weeks later, the company ships it to the US NIAID for use This link will open in a new window in the phase 1 clinical trial.