Biotech companies Pfizer and BioNTech have developed a vaccine for COVID-19 which is believed to be more effective than competitors’ vaccines. In addition, the two companies have acquired an FDA fast track label for their COVID-19 vaccine test, which is expected to test 30,000 people before the end of July. Their rival company, Moderna, has had trouble with the government on their vaccine which gives Pfizer and BioNTech some ground ahead.
The companies have stated that they are looking to manufacture up to 100 million doses of their vaccine by the end of 2020 and “potentially more than 1.2 billion doses by the end of 2021.” Currently, they have FDA fast track approval for two of their more advanced vaccines: the BNT162b1 and BNT162b2 vaccine. What this means is that the companies will be able to submit these vaccines for testing before Moderna will be able to, and as a result will potentially make a profit out of this. Furthermore, this will prove to the public that these partners will be able to potentially make more successful vaccines in the future, and will turn the heads of some investors.
The fast track will come after some initial U.S. results of an early clinical test of 45 patients, each of whom received 10 micrograms or 30 mcg of the mRNA vaccine. Each patient generated antibodies that were 1.8 and 2.8 times higher than the average of a group of patients who had confirmed prior infections. Though there were some side effects, this was a large step in the right direction as it shows potential in the vaccine being used. Early data from the trial of BNT162b1 are expected to be released in July, according to the two companies. Peter Honig, senior vice president for global regulator affairs at Pfizer states that “The FDA’s decision to grant these two COVID-19 vaccine candidates FastTrack designation signifies an important milestone to develop a safe and effective vaccine against SARS CoV-2.”
Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccines are bringing us closer to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. With their recent vaccines acquiring an FDA fast track label, their vaccines will reach markets very soon. In addition, if their vaccine is successful enough, it could raise enough publicity to allow the two companies to have potential investors for their future products which could open up the door to more projects.