Pfizer and BioNTech Report Positive Results From COVID-19 Vaccine Trial

Pfizer and BioNTech have announced positive early results from a phase 1/2 study of their lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the U.S.

The study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of BNT162b1 in 45 healthy adults ages 18 to 55 years old. The companies expect to begin a phase 2b/3 trial of the vaccine later this month.

If approved, Pfizer and BioNTech plan to manufacture up to 100 million doses by the end of 2020 and 1.2 billion doses by the end of 2021.

A Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is among the candidates shortlisted for accelerated development by the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed initiative. BioNTech has three other vaccine candidates in development, and its partners plan to advance the one that shows the most promise. — Jordan Williams