By Dhirendra Tripathi
Investing.com – Shares of both BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) rose Friday following a Reuters report that the two companies, which have jointly developed a Covid-19 vaccine, could get to supply another 1.8 billion does to the EU.
In another boost for them, Australia has doubled its order for their vaccine to 40 million doses.
BioNTech shares rose more than 5% while Pfizer gained 1%.
Reuters said the European Commission is seeking EU governments' approval to launch talks with Pfizer and BioNTech for the purchase of the vaccines to be delivered in 2022 and 2023.
Pfizer-BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX) and Moderna Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA) are already supplying the EU with mRNA vaccines and German biotech firm CureVac is seeking EU approval for its mRNA shot.
Earlier on Friday, without naming the company, Germany’s daily Die Welt reported the commission was shortly to sign contracts to buy up to 1.8 billion doses.
"If provided the opportunity Pfizer and BioNTech are prepared to supply Europe with hundreds of millions of doses of COVID vaccines in 2022 and 2023 produced in our manufacturing facilities in Europe," Reuters quoted a Pfizer spokesman as saying.
The two companies have the capacity to produce more than 3 billion doses of vaccine in 2022, he added.