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Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna expect data on shot's protection against new COVID-19 variant soon

Published 11/26/2021, 01:31 PM
Updated 11/27/2021, 02:40 AM
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Empty vials of the "Comirnaty" Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are seen inside a waste package at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination center in Madrid, Spain, November 24, 2021. REUTERS/Sergio Perez/File Photo

By Ludwig Burger

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) said on Friday it expects more data on a worrying new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa within two weeks to help determine whether its vaccine produced with partner Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) would have to be reworked.

Pfizer and BioNTech said that if necessary they expect to be able to ship a new vaccine tailored to the emerging variant in approximately 100 days.

"We understand the concern of experts and have immediately initiated investigations on variant B.1.1.529," BioNTech said in a statement when asked to comment.

"We expect more data from the laboratory tests in two weeks at the latest. These data will provide more information about whether B.1.1.529 could be an escape variant that may require an adjustment of our vaccine if the variant spreads globally," it added.

Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) Inc said in a statement it is working to advance a booster candidate tailored to the new variant and has also been testing a higher dose of its existing booster and to study other booster candidates designed to protect against multiple variants.

"A booster dose of an authorized vaccine represents the only currently available strategy for boosting waning immunity," Moderna said in the statement.

Escape variants are those that elude the targeted immune response brought about by vaccination. Pfizer and BioNTech would be able to redesign their shot within six weeks and ship initial batches within 100 days, BioNTech added.

BioNTech ADRs gained 14.2% to close at $348 on Friday and Pfizer shares rose 6.1% to end at $54. Moderna gained 20.6% to close at $329.63.

Global authorities reacted with alarm on Friday to the new variant, with the EU and Britain among those tightening border controls as scientists sought to find out if the mutation was vaccine-resistant.

Pfizer and BioNTech have already created versions of their established mRNA-based vaccine - based on the original virus found in the Chinese city of Wuhan - to target the so-called Alpha and Delta variants, with clinical trials ongoing.

Those efforts are not meant to yield commercial products; the exercise is carried out to establish a routine with regulators that will help speed up any future vaccine relaunch.

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Empty vials of the

Analysts at Evercore ISI said data from Qatar on another recent variant showed a high level of initial efficacy by current vaccines that faded significantly four months after dosing.

Johnson and Johnson said it is also closely monitoring emerging strains of COVID-19 and is testing the effectiveness of its shot against the new variant.

Latest comments

Who gonna really control big farmas redesigning
Who gonna really control bog farms redesigning
all big companies that n history have created their own demand. Last one is big Tech creating millions of gadgets and 'cloud' whatever you don't really need. Big oil and big tobacco did the same. Big Pharma has also been doing it for decades. Create your own demand. convince the world we need them. like apple zombies or addicted smokers
Cynical nonesense.
big pharma laughing big time, another tens of billions of dollars coming their way
I glass half full on this. Compsnies in main index funds have done well during covid. This wont change. Especially tech. There is a wall of money waiting to buy the bottom of this dip, which means the dip will be shallow.If a current vaccine turns out to be modestly successful against omnivron, that is a Santa Claus rally for the ages.
Just buy what nancy pelosi buys and youll do great
what is she buying? besides female nappies
Panic in the markets was created artificially in order to get a discount on oil from OPEC! On Monday, IRAN will say that it is ready to be friends with the Americans and oil will be even cheaper! We sold our stocks at a high price and got a good discount due to false information about a new type of virus. China, the USA, Japan, .... today have problems due to high prices for oil, gas, fossil fuels, this all causes a high rise in inflation. That is how they decided to get a discount and stop the rise in prices, so that by the December meeting of the FRS did not take tough measures to curtail support measures for the US economy. The market and bankers want more money, and everyone is demanding the continuation of the banquet.
what is false about data on new varient and will you cite your sources? And can other fact check your sources with going down rabbit holes? Honest question.
you’re reading his unsupported claim on a message forum frequented by the least qualified. Are you serious?
there is still no information about this mutation. maybe this mutation will make the virus less dangerous. if the virus looks like a common cold, then the pandemic is over. no one gets vaccinated against the common cold. in 2 weeks, many here will ****their elbows and regret that they sold in panic.
The natural progression of viral mutation is to become less deadly and more transmissable… but this is a weaponized virus… who knows what the chicom government cooked up for the world
once again global elite manipulation
How so?
So much panic when so little is known about it yet. Remember, new variants will keep popping up, it will never be erradicated. If they follow the evolutionary science they will become more transmissable but less deadly, with most people eventually developing natural antibodies to it, no different than a common cold virus. We are only slowing that process.
bang on ... looks like these new covid strains are the new market manipulators..
Any doubt that this thing is serious. Go and get vaccinated. NOW. 🧐
🤡🤡🤡
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