Pfizer, BioNTech to Develop First mRNA-Based Shingles Shot

Pfizer and BioNTech are extending their highly successful COVID-19 vaccine collaboration to develop the world’s first messenger RNA-based jab for shingles.

Under the new pact, Pfizer will pay BioNTech $225 million upfront for use of the German company’s proprietary mRNA platform, and the biotech will also be eligible to receive milestones-based payments totaling up to $200 million.

Both companies will share development costs and gross profits from future sales. Clinical studies are slated to begin during the latter half of this year.

This latest partnership marks the third infectious disease collaboration between Pfizer and BioNTech. The pair initially teamed up to develop an influenza vaccine in 2018 and began developing their COVID-19 shot in 2020.