Coronavirus update: Novavax begins vaccine trials; Brazil reports second-highest number of cases in world

The global pandemic, which has affected more than 5.5 million, is forcing drugmakers and biotech firms of all sizes to shorten the timeline for a vaccine, which is essential to easing fears about returning to work and school. To-date, nearly a dozen companies in the U.S., Europe and China have started human trials for more than 100 vaccine candidates. Most recently, Novavax (NVAX) announced it would begin human trials, for its coronavirus…