What you need to know about J&J’s coronavirus vaccine

Hello,

Yesterday was a big day in vaccine news. We learned more about how well Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine works and how safe it is. And we also learned that Moderna has a plan for tackling variants. That includes a new shot it’s sending to NIH for testing.  

Here’s a look at how J&J’s shot compares to Pfizer’s and Moderna’s>>

Also in healthcare news: What happened to Comcast Ventures, a onetime healthcare startup kingmaker, the companies gene therapy leaders may need to help fix safety issues, and Devoted Health quietly raised $380 million in 2020. 

Comcast Ventures was once a kingmaker for healthcare benefits startups. Then its team fell apart.

• Comcast Ventures was the independent venture arm of media giant Comcast.
• In November, Comcast moved Comcast Ventures into its business development division.
• It was a kingmaker of healthcare benefits startups in the past but may not be as active going forward.

Read the full story from Megan Hernbroth here>>

Gene therapy leaders may need M&A to solve their safety issues. Here are the 8 companies analysts are watching.

• Gene therapies, in which healthy genes are inserted into a person's system, are a booming biotech investment area.
• Audentes, Bluebird bio, Sarepta, and UniQure have all run into potential safety issues in the last year.
• That could spur a wave of dealmaking focused on making gene therapies safer and easier to deliver, analysts say.

Read the full list from Allison DeAngelis here>>

Devoted Health quietly raised $380 million to gear up for fierce competition in the red-hot health-plan market for older people

• Devoted Health raised $380 million in July 2020, Insider has learned.
• The round was led by Uprising.
• The round will fund Devoted's growth as competition for Medicare Advantage members heats up.

Read the full scoop from Blake Dodge and Shelby Livingston here>>

More stories we're reading:

• One Medical let ineligible people get vaccines, prompting the Washington State Department of Health to stop sending it vaccines (NPR) 
• There's a clear, scientific path to safely reopening schools. The real barrier now is politics. (Insider)
• What happens with telemedicine when we're not stuck at home (Protocol)
• Startups trying to change the way healthcare is paid for pulled in a record $3.6 billion in 2020. Meet the top 8 VC firms that placed the most bets. (Insider)

- Lydia