mRNA Victoria announced today that the developers of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will establish a clinical R&D center in the Asia-Pacific region. The center enables Victorian and Australian researchers to advance the next generation of mRNA vaccines and therapies. The R&D center aims to facilitate partnerships on scientific mentoring, business development advice and drug design.…
Pfizer, BioNTech moving forward on seeking COVID-19 vaccine EUA for youngest children
Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech (Nasdaq:BNTX) announced today that data support a three-dose primary series of their COVID-19 vaccine in young children. Topline safety, immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy data from a Phase 2/3 trial in young children evaluating a third 3-µg dose of the vaccine — marketed in the U.S. as Comirnaty — showed a strong…
CDC director recommends boosters for more Americans
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky issued guidelines for COVID-19 boosters, clearing the way for tens of millions of U.S. citizens to obtain a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. While FDA and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reached broadly similar conclusions regarding booster doses for seniors and high-risk individuals, Walensky went…
Pfizer-BioNTech to provide U.S. with another 200M shots for kids, boosters
Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech (NSDQ:BNTX) announced today that the U.S. government has purchased another 200 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine. Media outlets including CNN and the Financial Times cited a Biden administration official saying the additional doses are needed to vaccinate children under 12, pending FDA authorization, plus the potential need for additional booster…
Biovac to make and distribute Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Africa
Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech (NSDQ:BNTX) today announced an agreement with Biovac to manufacture the companies’ COVID-19 vaccine for distribution in Africa. Cape Town, South Africa-based Biovac will perform manufacturing and distribution activities within Pfizer and BioNTech’s global COVID-19 vaccine supply chain and manufacturing network to aid in distribution within the African Union, according to a…
Biden to promise world 500 million COVID-19 vaccine doses
President Joe Biden has struck a deal with Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech (NSDQ:BNTX) to provide 500 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to roughly 100 countries over two years. Biden will announce the plan in the near future at an appearance with Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla, according to a report out yesterday in The New York Times. The…
Exelead makes first precursor batch of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
Pharma industry contract manufacturer Exelead recently announced that it has delivered its first precursor batch of Prizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine, produced at its recently expanded facility in Indianapolis. Exelead plans to add 50 jobs to help it meet COVID-19 vaccine demand. “We are extremely proud to be part of the manufacture of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine,…
Pfizer explores combining COVID-19 vaccine with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) is enrolling subjects in a study combining an investigational pneumococcal conjugate vaccine with a booster dose of its Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. At present, COVID-19 and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are among Pfizer’s bestsellers. The company expects COVID-19 vaccines to pull in $26 billion this year. Last year, the company’s Prevnar 13 pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate…
EU allows Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be stored at higher temperatures
Pfizer and BioNTech announced today that European authorities approved storage of their COVID-19 vaccine at a new temperature. Based on data showing stability in standard pharmaceutical freezers, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved storage of the vaccine at -25°C to -15°C for a total of two weeks. The FDA’s requirements include two-week storage at the…
Pfizer exec reportedly says COVID-19 vaccine pricing is a ‘signficant opportunity’ post-pandemic
Pfizer CFO & EVP of supply chain Frank D’Amelio has said there could be an opportunity to potentially hike up prices on its COVID-19 vaccine in a post-pandemic state. Speaking last week at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference, D’Amelio revealed that the company is considering what will become of the vaccine situation, especially involving pricing,…