BioNTech readying next COVID shot in line with WHO guidance
U. J. Alexander
BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX), the partner of Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) for the blockbuster COVID vaccine Comirnaty is on track to introduce a COVID-19 shot adjusted for currently dominant strains in line with recommendations by the World Health Organization, CEO and co-founder Ugur Sahin said Thursday.
According to Sahin, the German biotech expects to obtain regulatory approval by the end of the summer, aiming to roll out the redesigned vaccine by the early fall in the northern hemisphere in time for a seasonal vaccination drive.
As recommended by the WHO, the vaccine will be designed to generate antibody responses to the Omicron XBB.1.5 or XBB.1.16 variants, Sahin said at the company’s annual general meeting. He added that the vaccine would be available as a ready-to-use single dose, unlike the multi-dose vials used during the pandemic.
In addition to Pfizer (PFE)/ BioNTech (BNTX), Moderna (MRNA) and Novavax (NVAX) are also advancing studies to update their COVID-19 vaccines to currently circulating variants. The shares of COVID-19 vaccine developers rallied Tuesday amid concerns over a potential resurgence of the virus in China.