Ann: MSB Q1 Financial Results and Operational Highlights, page-83

Just looked at NEJM policies. My guess is that the paper passed the "rapid peer review" which is not a guarantee of acceptance but probably as close as you can get before final approval.


https://www.nejm.org/about-nejm/editorial-policies

Rapid Peer Review

Authors may request a Rapid Review of their manuscripts. NEJM generally replies to Rapid Review requests within three business days and an initial decision on publication will typically be reached within two weeks.

Those studies that are most often approved for a rapid peer review generally:

• Deal with urgent public health concerns
• Have potential to dramatically change clinical practice or to affect mortality
• Are timed to imminent meeting presentations

Approval for Rapid Review does not guarantee acceptance of the manuscript, nor does it guarantee expedited publication if the manuscript is accepted as each of these decisions is made separately.

https://www.nejm.org/media-center/publication-process

Final Review & Acceptance for Publication

The NEJM Editor-in-Chief reviews all final (revised) submissions and may raise further questions. The Editor-in-Chief is the only person who can officially accept a paper for publication. Following Dr. Rubin’s formal acceptance for publication, a paper will then move through rigorous processes for manuscript editing, production, illustration, design, and publication.